QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

…LIKE CLOCKWORK (Matador)

14/20

The subject of QOTSA’s first album in six years has been dominating water cooler conversations for quite some time, although admittedly that’s due to the constant announcements of high profile, controversial and downright bizarre collaborators rather than, y’know, the actual songs. Now it’s arrived, the listener is left to leaf through liner notes as star-studded as a really good episode of Jonathan Ross and uncover the qualities beneath. And in fact, hardly any of the guests make themselves prominent. Grohl doesn’t truly assert himself on his five tracks, while Jon Theodore’s technically astounding drumming will be more wholly felt when he tours with the band rather than in a muted cameo on the titular closer. As for Alex Turner, Trent Reznor and Jake Shears, they remain very much at the back of the shot, although Elton John’s contribution is a tad more obvious.

Opener Keep Your Eyes Peeled is a masterful patchwork, with rolling bass, distinctive Homme vibrato and searing guitars. I Sat By The Ocean boasts a memorable guitar lead you could sing along to, while the return of the Songs for the Deaf dream team on If I Had A Tail is a real highlight, a mucky boogie with ‘jobs for the boys’ gang chorus and a deliciously dark riff towards the end. And when Elton pops round for tea on the memorable Fairweather Friends, he proves that his and Homme’s vocals are strangely well matched. If there’s a dud, Smooth Sailing is it. Its faux-sexy, hip-shaking funk is all a bit silly, highlighted by lyrics such as “I blow my load over the status quo” – look lively Rossi and Parfitt. This album’s name is presumably a wry reference to its prolonged gestation, but in fact the record itself feels curiously reliable and effective; like very good songs knocked out by an astounding talent, just like clockwork.

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Words: Geraint Davies