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Album Review: Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork


Queens Of The Stone Age have always been an amorphous group, to say the least. Guest stars depart as fast as they arrived, with only a few making any sort of discernible impact (where exactly was Julian Casablancas on “Sick, Sick, Sick”?). This is mostly due to the singular vision of ringleader Josh Homme, one of the most distinctive writers going, always keeping these collaborators in line with his vision. QOSTA’s latest release, and first in seven years (!), …Like Clockwork, adds even more prestigious names to the list: Elton John, Trent Reznor, Alex Turner, and the returning Dave Grohl and Mark Lanegan. Even ostracized original bassist Nick Olivieri was invited back. 

 However, outside of Grohl’s and Lanegan’s contributions, you’d once again be hard pressed to hear any of the other guests’ contributions, this is another Josh Homme record through and through. Not that that’s a bad thing in any way, …Like Clockwork continues QOTSA’s winning streak, which dates back to their self-titled debut. Even if it doesn’t reach the manic heights of the best tracks from Era Vulgaris, it is a much more consistent, streamlined record (and by far their shortest, coming in at a comparatively lean 46 minutes). 

 The first half of the record hits all the right notes, showcasing each of the styles QOTSA does so effectively, from Sabbath-influenced sludge (opener “Keep Your Eyes Peeled”) to smarter than average radio rock (“My God Is The Sun,” which contains a vintage Grohl drumming performance), in addition to manic slide guitar workouts (“I Sat By The Ocean”) and callbacks to the late, great Kyuss ( “If I Had A Tail”). Nothing too far off the beaten path, but still quite tasty and fulfilling. 

 It’s on the album’s back half where Homme starts to take more chances. The off-kilter “Kalopsia” careens from circus organ psychedelic ballad to stomping Zeppelin-esque pomp almost at random and with no warning. Somehow, they  make it all work. “Fairweather Friends” is the much-discussed Elton John track, but aside from some piano tinkling and a barely audible vocal contribution, he is almost fully subsumed into QOTSA’s sludge. “Smooth Sailing” is one of the most distinctive tracks here, a full-on funk stomper, complete with falsetto vocals, a harder hitting sequel to Era Vulgaris standout “Make It Wit Chu.” 

…Like Clockwork closes with its title track, a surprisingly sincere ballad and the biggest left turn on a record that straddles the line between giving the people what they want and continuing to push at the seams of what embodies QOTSA’s style. Even with its shortened run time, ..Like Clockwork proves to be as  ambitious as their previous records, albeit just a bit more reined in. While it may lack in sheer manic energy, it’s still purely Josh Homme's record, and proves that, even after six albums and a seven year layoff, he still has something substantial and rewarding to offer. 

  Grade: A- 


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