Music > Album Reviews

Queens of The Stone Age // ...Like Clockwork

19/06/13

Six years have passed since Queens of The Stone Age released their last album Era Vulgaris and they are finally back with their newest offering, …Like Clockwork. Side projects and commitments in the form of Them Crooked Vultures and Eagles of Death metal as well as line-up changes and near death experiences have kept Josh Homme and co. from fully returning to the scene, meaning their new album is one that has been long awaited. Joint once again by former members Dave Grohl and Nick Oliveri, Queens manage to deliver 10 songs much worthy of the wait. Also popping up on the album are guest stars Trent Reznor, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and Sir Elton John himself – having told the band they needed ‘an actual queen’. Since Homme’s near death experience during a knee operation, it seems he has began to write more from the heart and has described the album as ‘an audio documentary of a manic year’. As well as being an immensely personal record, it is also extremely pleasing to listen to. During the hiatus period, the band seem to have evolved in their songwriting, still keeping many elements from their older albums but moving towards more complex and heartfelt songs such as ‘The Vampyre of Time and Money’. Despite the pressure of being one of the most hyped up albums for the band, …Like Clockwork shows a more raw and personal edge to their unique sound and is their most musically diverse album yet.

Ellie Smith 7/10