684 Queens Of The Stone Age - …Like Clockwork (2013)

 684 Queens Of The Stone Age - …Like Clockwork (2013)

Studio Album - Hard Rock



About the Act:

Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA) are an American Hard Rock band from California and from 1996 to now. They were founded by their vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme who has been their only constant member, and have gone through quite a few changes in members. They came about as part of the Palm Desert Music Scene, which was particularly know for collaboration. They have had 7 studio albums so far.

About the Album:

This was their sixth studio album and came out of a dark place for main man Josh Holme, after some medical issues and other issues. There was some to-ing and fro-ing with members and their drummer quit 1/3 of the way through. Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters stepped in. Other guests include Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) and the unlikely inclusion of Elton John.

My History with this Album:

None.

Review:

Reading the history of this album is fascinating, and kind of explains somewhat how it is. It's heavy rock, I would say, with edges of industrial and even metal, but at times is hauntingly quiet. It's musically really strong and engaging, having stepped out of the normal run of things. It's not discordant particularly, but it's definitely not "oh yes, this is just another rock album". The production is beautiful, mind you so is the music, although at times harsh, and the playing and singing all contribute to this overall feel of darkness and melancholy. Lyrically too, it's in a dark place, with the most touching moment being in track 3, as Josh asks God to take him home.

There is a phrase that goes around occasionally about mental health, it's OK to be not OK. An album like this, despite being dark and somewhat disturbed at times, can be part of helping people in similarly dark places feel like they are not alone. It's quite a strong, deep, and at times profound album, and I enjoyed it. 

8/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5T5NM01392dvvd4EhGrCnj

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR4Mc5WNWFxT0p92AfE_-2OJJ7JQykasP

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...Like_Clockwork



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

944 Manu Chao - Próxima Estación Esperanza (2001)

Image
 944 Manu Chao - Próxima Estación Esperanza (2001) Studio Album - World Music About the Act: Manu Chao is a French-Spanish musician of Spanish descent who grew up on the outskirts of Paris. In the mid-80s he was in a Spanish/English rockabilly group called Hot Pants. In 1987, with his brother and cousin he founded the band Mano Negra, combining punk and world music influences and playing on the Paris Metro. This band took off and had 4 studio albums. In 1995 Manu "went solo", forming the band Radio Bemba Sound System to be his backing band. The punk elements were less prominent, but he started to make music that "replicates the sound of street music and bar scenes from a variety of cultures". He has been really popular in parts of Europe.  About the Album: This album was Manu Chao's second studio album as a "solo" artist. In Spanish, the name means "Next Station: Hope", after a real station on the Madrid Metro. The album reached top 10 slots ...
Read more

840 Various Artists - The Best of Girl Groups Volumes 1 and 2 (1990)

Image
 840 Various Artists - The Best of Girl Groups Volumes 1 and 2 (1990) Compilation (double) - Girl Group (Soul/Bobby Soxer/Do-Wop) About the Album: This is a highly acclaimed compilation in 2CDs by Rhino Records. It's the sort of thing that in this country you might expect to see at 3.99 in a Garden Centre. My History with this Album: None Review: There are not many multi-artist compilations in this series for reviewing. There is not information about it on Wikipedia, but the reception seems to have been positive. It is choc-full of hits with a smattering of lesser-known songs, and it's hard not to imagine Grease or similar situations - girls with cardigans and white socks, listening to the juke box while sipping milkshakes in the drug store. On one level it's a fun collection of songs that you could use to feel nostalgic, or as the music for a themed party. On another level it's kind of like a cultural artefact. I feel honour-bound to describe it, even though if I drop ...
Read more

843 Chambers Brothers - The Time has Come (1967)

Image
 843 Chambers Brothers - The Time has Come (1967) Studio Album - Psychedelic Soul About the Act: The Chambers Brothers are an American Psychedelic Soul band from LA, who were formed in 1954 and are still going. They were at heart four brothers, but I think they have now all left the band.  About the Album: This was their debut album (12 years on from forming as a band), and it spawned their most successful single Time Has Come Today. My History with this Album: None. I had never heard of the Chambers Brothers before this list. Review: I am not an American, nor a Social Historian, but I think I can accurately claim that in 1960s America there was a certain separation between the Black community and other communities. As a result of this, and for marketing reasons, the idea of music that was created with a Black audience in mind was an actual thing. I'm not sure if today we would be quite so sure about what constitutes "Black Music", but then, I think, they were generally q...
Read more