Queens of the Stone Age - Villains (Matador) 2017
7
Villains opens up with a classic Queens of the Stone Age bang: distant guitar scratches and 80s synths grow into a rollicking, groovy bassline as Josh Homme croons, “I was born in the desert, babe.” All seems set for a magnificent follow-up to Like Clockwork…
The record never dives down past the surface, though. The majority of the songs, with the exception of “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” and, perhaps, “Un-Reborn Again” and “The Evil Has Landed,” (which could have been included on Era Vulgaris) are a light version of everything previously released by Queens of the Stone Age. The aforementioned songs are quintessential Queens tracks that make up for their lesser counterparts. Josh Homme’s vocals and lyrics are spot-on as always. Troy Van Leeuwen’s guitar work is impeccable throughout. Michael Shuman’s bass anchors the down-and-dirty feeling and the hip-swinging danceability. Jon Theodore is at his best behind the drums. Dean Fertita’s work at the keyboard adds a retro vibe that lines up with Homme’s goal of creating a “looser” album.
In pieces, the collection should be as revered as its predecessor. As a whole, however, it plays it entirely too safe. There is no moment. While Villains is a decent radio-rock record with pop undertones, it will take fans time to acclimate to the changes. Whether the blame is on Mark Ronson or Homme himself, the album never lives up to the intimidating, dangerous implications of its name. A diluted collection, Villains fails to fully explore the gritty, leather-and-boots rock n’ roll that QOTSA is known for.