Queens of the Stone Age - Perfecth
Words: Corey Grange
The Queens have landed yet again, and I have a feeling that this will be a controversial one. We're far from the desert landscape of Songs for the Deaf. The singles proved that the album is a mix of allsorts. 'Easy Street' is an acoustic beauty, with Homme showing shades of Bowie in his vocals. 'Insignificant Other' is Stonesy swagger from Troy, with some super falsetto from Homme. A standout on the album. 'Where The Goth Girls At?' might be the worst title in their catalogue, but 3 for 3 with the singles, because it's a banger. The swells of the chorus... more of that. The album opens with 'It's Only Love', a song that would fit straight onto Lullabies to Paralyse. A creeping, buzzy track of orchestrally epic proportions. The string section is tremendous. Not their best opener, as they tend to open with their greatest, but great nonetheless. 'Mono' is a drunken stumble of a song ala In Times New Roman, to steal a phrase from Homme himself. 'Tis fine. 'From The Cliff' is an acoustic love song, which is unusual for these boys. Gorgeous chord progression. 'Sunday' is more Stones, a song we've already heard from the Iggy Pop collab album. But Josh is on his Bowie run, so it's as slick as a senator's statement. Hehe. Guitarwork is grooooovy as fuck here. These lads are as loose as they are tight and always a joy to listen to. 'Phantom Limb' is a straightforward less-electric moment, a lowlight for me. 'Run Away From The Mob' is Queens weirdness: odd riff and progression, Homme's vocal acrobatics, a particular eerieness. Verdict?: a delightful collection of tracks. High highs and some middling mids. Such is life. Fans will enjoy and hate in equal measure. Not perfect, but Perfecth.