Zipper Down Review

"Zipper Down" is the fourth studio album from Eagles Of Death Metal.  The garage rock duo sticks to their previous formula by creating music that isn't overly complicated, yet has the ability to make you groove.  Hughes and Homme go back and forth as the Queens Of The Stoneage desert rock influences mix together with a swingin' somewhat 50's dance hall vibe (at least on some of the more up beat tracks).  

The muddied up sound that is so unique to any Homme project is ever so prevalent on "Zipper Down".  Eagles Of Death Metal is technically Homme and Hughes but it has always been the Hughes show due to the success of QOTSA.  Regardless, this album is straight up rock n' roll.  Songs like "Complexity" and "Got A Woman" are meant to get you off your ass and shake it around in the same way a Meatloaf album would, but what makes them unique to that is the sound and production value that the duo concoct in studio.

The album is a culmination of the band's major influences it seems.  There are remnants of The Clash on "The Deuce", as previously mentioned Meatloaf, and just about every early 80's rock band from Joan Jett to the B52's.  Blues and originality don't necessarily belong in the same sentence but Eagles Of Death Metal's sound is very unique in its right that they are one of the exceptions.  The album does some aspects fantastically, but in other ways, the album gets a bit monotonous as the swingin' and jumpin' only can hold your attention for so long.

Final Summary:

As this being my first Eagles Of Death Metal album to listen to, I was happy to discover it.  I have always been a huge QOTSA fan and having that signature Homme sound on any album is a treat to me.  The upbeat songs mixed with structurally rigid production creates a unique sound that is very identifiable as far as influences are concerned.  I could've used more diversity in the tracks, the upbeat rockin' needed a little more balance for me but the album was good enough to give their earlier material a shot.

Rating: 7.7/10

...Like Clockwork Review

"...Like Clockwork" is the sixth studio album from rock band Queens Of The Stone Age.  Their previous album Era Vulgaris heralded mixed reviews from critics but it marked a six year gap in between albums for the band.  Josh Homme had been a very busy person during that 6 year album gap.  Whether it be producing albums for the Arctic Monkeys, forming supergroups with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, or surviving a near-death experience, Homme kept himself plenty busy.  "...Like Clockwork" feels like a rebirth of sorts after the band embarked on an extensive tour reissuing their self-titled debut record.  The album is dark, dreary, and filled with special surprises that really encapsulate a time where Josh Homme truly felt like death was after him and this is the final product.
 
Queens esentially reinvirogated the spirit that band had back in the Rated R days.  The album has a fresh and saturated sound that helped carry the band to success in the first place.  "Keep Your Eyes Peeled" is a good intro that slowly builds and creates the gloomy atmosphere that the album has.  "I Sat By The Ocean" is one of my favorites of this album due to the fact that it's a straight-up rock song.  It doesn't try to pull any punches and gives you a song you can enjoy wholly.  The single released off from the album "My God Is The Sun" is actually one of my least favorite songs.  It feels borderline commercial and didn't give me anything to be excited about.

"Kalopsia" and "The Vampyre Of Time And Memory" on the other hand provide two of the more unique renditions off of "...Like Clockwork".  "Kalopsia" is produced by NIN frontman Trent Reznor and you could deduce that from the very beginning of the track.  The slow, spacey beginning of the song slowly builds up with keys and atmosphere and then crescendos with heavy guitars and growling vocals.  "The Vampyre Of Time And Memory" is a piano ballad that has the sharpness of a John Lennon solo career track mixed in with the fuzziness that characterizes the QOTSA sound.  Not to mention, Elton John makes an appearance on "Fairweather Friends" to give the album even more star power (Alex Turner also makes a guest appearance on "If I Had A Tail".

Final Summary:

"...Like Clockwork" is an album with atmosphere and every good album needs that to be listenable.  QOTSA does a great job of setting the mood early and carrying that moment all the way to the end of the album.  With great tracks, great guest appearances, and distinct character, Queens Of The Stone Age delivers a revitalized effort with this one and doesn't pull any punches during the process.  The album perfectly blends the band's soft and rough sides to create a true rock album in every sense of the definition.

Rating: 8.7/10