Era Vulgaris
by Queens of the Stone Age
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 205 out of 233
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 233
  3. Negative: 9 out of 233

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  1. Leboyo56
    Oct 8, 2017
    10
    Almost BY FAR my favorite album ever. I hated it at first, but it is the thing that first got me into mainstream rock, after first hearing, and eventually near-perfecting, 3's and 7's on Guitar Hero III. I am now learning to play 3's and 7's on RockSmith, you know... real guitar :D

    This album artwork truly speaks the content of the album in every way a random piece of art slapped onto    Almost BY FAR my favorite album ever. I hated it at first, but it is the thing that first got me into mainstream rock, after first hearing, and eventually near-perfecting, 3's and 7's on Guitar Hero III. I am now learning to play 3's and 7's on RockSmith, you know... real guitar :D

    This album artwork truly speaks the content of the album in every way a random piece of art slapped onto the front slip of the plastic case for any album SHOULDN'T. What I mean for that is, it speaks the album so well, that its message is deceptively simple.
    So, two sleazy-looking...um...light bulbs smoking cigs and hopping around on detached limbs (and a crutch) and struggling to take one more puff?

    Well, after cross-examining the titles of a few songs and their lyrics... such as "Turnin' on the Screw" featuring the phrase, 'The jury's in, verdict: RETARDED. I'm so tired, and I'm wired, too. I'm a mess, I guess I'm...turnin' on the screw."

    and "I'm Designer" using an example of the hilarity involved in being a nonchalant male-prostitute as a euphemism for why selling out isn't always as bad as it may seem... coupled with explodingly loud rhythm guitar and drum-duo riffs, repetitive and crunchy yet hypnotic and psychedelic beats, along with impossibly randomly-placed yet ear-piercingly blissful guitar solos, this album is almost the definition of being thrown into a blender or a serrated trash compactor, being pulled out by an industrial vacuum which rips your outstretched arms off, and letting you fall back into the pit of despair all the while an onlooking group of stoners laugh at you, before realizing they lost their best friend...

    You see, there are two songs that make this album 'whole'. I do not like the two songs with as much of the passion behind the 150x-replayed and reshuffled playlist I have that includes all the OTHER songs, but these two songs... "Make it Wit' Chu" and "Suture up Your Future" ... they are the meat of this album. One is a slow blues-rock inspired melody that truly is a love song at its weirdest, rife with the band's inside-joke of spelling and grammatical errors and eyebrow-raising high-pitched vocals when you least expect them...while the latter is a bass heavy but thoroughly soft-rock delving masterpiece that I can't help but only want to analyze the lyrics to a fuller extent someday.

    When those two songs at times come up in a row at the very end of my playlist, and my music-high is coming to a close, I realize...with all this amp-smoke I have consumed and all this burned grass (straight out of Woodstock's earliest hard rock performance mishaps) I have been inhaling up to this point, 36 minutes or so into the album... I look down at my body and see I am almost figuratively skin and bones. With a heavy sigh, I don't hit the 'skip' button twice or load a new playlist, I get ready for the nutrition I have never yearned for from this kind of band, but, come to think of it... know I NEED after all the draining cynicism, sarcasm, irony, and chainsaw rip-roaring to the ear drums that were the past 11 songs.

    This is Era Vulgaris. This is the kind of blatant, yet subtly humored and layered offenses that your parents (no matter your or their age) will always wind up glaring at you awkwardly with no words spoken, just a general air of understanding floating somewhere between the groups' seats that begs to explain that this is what will always separate your generation from theirs. Is it desensitization? Is it laughing at the singer or lyricist's sung problematic lifestyle, of which they wrote down into musical form anyway wanting to wholeheartedly embrace the crazy **** this album is? Those two questions are the exact same, I'm just being pedantic again.

    This album in one phrase, other than magnifico to me, is: Desensitization... FOR THE WILLING MASSES

    And that's why I love it, and drew my unskilled heart out for it. My ears melted off leaving reptilian-esque holes in my head in the process, but eh. Van Gogh didn't need to listen much more either once he knew what perfection was.    … Expand
  2. abc123efg456hij
    Sep 13, 2017
    8
    A lot of great guitar work and compositional effort here despite the often unresolved tangents. I like more of this than I like "Like Clockwork." My favorite tracks are "Turnin' on the Screw" "Sick, Sick, Sick" "Into the Hollow" "Misfit Love" "Make It wit Chu" "3's & 7's" and "Suture Up Your Future." A shift in direction that works more often that it doesn't, and continues to rock hard andA lot of great guitar work and compositional effort here despite the often unresolved tangents. I like more of this than I like "Like Clockwork." My favorite tracks are "Turnin' on the Screw" "Sick, Sick, Sick" "Into the Hollow" "Misfit Love" "Make It wit Chu" "3's & 7's" and "Suture Up Your Future." A shift in direction that works more often that it doesn't, and continues to rock hard and move you.… Expand
  3. midnightrun
    Sep 1, 2017
    10
    After listening to Villains, this album has gone up in my estimations. Always enjoyed it but never fully appreciated it. Some of the B Sides on this album are brilliant. I would definitely recommend scoping them out. This albums user score needs pushing up, villains deserves to be the worst reviewed album by users.
  4. The_PUNisher97
    Jan 12, 2015
    9
    Okay, straight up, this album gets WAY more hate that it deserves. Sure it's not the masterpiece that "Songs for the Deaf" was, but this is still a very good album from a very good group. It's weird and **** up, but it's so great because of that. Tracks like "Sick, Sick, Sick", "I'm Designer", "Make it wit Chu", and "3's and 7's" are my favorites on the album, and most of everything elseOkay, straight up, this album gets WAY more hate that it deserves. Sure it's not the masterpiece that "Songs for the Deaf" was, but this is still a very good album from a very good group. It's weird and **** up, but it's so great because of that. Tracks like "Sick, Sick, Sick", "I'm Designer", "Make it wit Chu", and "3's and 7's" are my favorites on the album, and most of everything else is also really great and trippy. In a ranking of all their albums, the list would go "Songs for the Deaf", "Queens of the Stone Age (self-titled)", "...Like Clockwork", "Rated R", "Era Vulgaris", and "Lullabies to Paralyze". All great albums, mind you.… Expand
  5. Ricko
    Dec 12, 2014
    6
    After the disappointing "Lullabies To Paralyze" all eyes were on Josh Homme to see if he would resurrect QOTSA or continue on down the slippery slope. The resurrection would have to wait until 2013's "Like Clockwork" as Era Vulgaris is in a similar vein to "Lullabies" - yes it is heavy but almost just for the sake of it and generally is quite a dull affair. Where "Era.." bests itsAfter the disappointing "Lullabies To Paralyze" all eyes were on Josh Homme to see if he would resurrect QOTSA or continue on down the slippery slope. The resurrection would have to wait until 2013's "Like Clockwork" as Era Vulgaris is in a similar vein to "Lullabies" - yes it is heavy but almost just for the sake of it and generally is quite a dull affair. Where "Era.." bests its predecessor is that it is set at a quicker pace and has a bit more urgency about it. It also sees the band go down a few new avenues. Where it pales nest to "Lullabies..." is that it is completely devoid of singles or anything close to a belter of a tune. Too often the songs are flogged to death and far outstay their welcome. "River in the Road" is a great song but outside of that one I'm struggling to name anything worth going back to.… Expand
  6. Josh_Forrest
    Feb 6, 2014
    9
    It pains me to say that this is "my least favourite QOTSA album", but it probably is. I say this as if it's a bad album, but it really isn't, it's a brilliant album, it's just not as good as their old stuff, which is a pretty stupid insult to be honest.
  7. shprea
    Jul 1, 2013
    9
    I thought Lullabies to Paralyze was a disappointing album, truthfully. It lacked the QotSA charm and style and seemed rather bland in general. In order to make a triumphant comeback, the QotSA needed to adopted a new and fresh angle on their classic style. And this is exactly what they did.

    Era Vulgaris is one of the best QotSA albums around. Everything about it is unique and downright    I thought Lullabies to Paralyze was a disappointing album, truthfully. It lacked the QotSA charm and style and seemed rather bland in general. In order to make a triumphant comeback, the QotSA needed to adopted a new and fresh angle on their classic style. And this is exactly what they did.

    Era Vulgaris is one of the best QotSA albums around. Everything about it is unique and downright awesome. There's a certain buzzy/fuzzy noise that makes everything sound low budget, but that's just the style they adopted, and it's awesome.
    Songs like "Sick, Sick, Sick" and "3s and 7s" are some of the band's best songs to date, however other more obscure songs like "I'm Designer" also have become some of my favorites.

    Quality music all around. The only songs that are lacking are "Battery Acid" and "Misfit Love". Other than that, everything is golden.    … Expand
  8. Abutre
    May 28, 2013
    9
    The public knows how to listen. The Metacritic puts them over the criticism is appropriate, in order to raise or lower the value of an album (Village Voice-30??). Do not believe what these guys shove here!
    Many people will follow them, because in reality does not listen music, unfortunately most are well on Metacritic thankfully is not the case, but I believe it would be a good bores up,    The public knows how to listen. The Metacritic puts them over the criticism is appropriate, in order to raise or lower the value of an album (Village Voice-30??). Do not believe what these guys shove here!
    Many people will follow them, because in reality does not listen music, unfortunately most are well on Metacritic thankfully is not the case, but I believe it would be a good bores up, if it were not such asses to vote here too.
    talking about the album over itself, just a song I did not enter the ear and this is the 3 & 7 which happens to be single, but I do not like, only the last few seconds of the song are worth listening to is too commercial for my ears    … Expand
  9. 00dore
    Jul 24, 2012
    6
    Quirky but hard to love, let's hope it'll be beaten by their upcoming album (this year?! Please!) There's no denying there's something missing between the screeching guitars and bizarre fuzz... Been a long time since Rated R, huh?
  10. j30
    Sep 4, 2011
    7
    Good album from a great band. I was blown away by their earlier work (QOTSA, Rated R, and Songs for the Deaf), nothing has been nearly as good since then. This feels like they're trying to reinvent themselves and I'll be interested to hear where they go from here.
  11. Ikarus14
    Dec 5, 2009
    8
    The sound and direction are questionable, but it's still a great album.
  12. TomB
    Nov 30, 2009
    10
    The best album of the decade. I know it's a weak decade but I would rank this album along side Surfer Rosa, Siamese Dream, and Daydream Nation. The riff for 3s and 7s reminisces of the lone, cutting perfection of the opening seconds of Smells Like Teen Spirit.
  13. GuidedByVoices
    Aug 24, 2009
    5
    it's not crap, but it isn't a good album neither, they always suck from a lot of sources to build great songs, here they were looking for third rate bands,and they got second hand songs, QOTSA fanboys, is It as good as previous albums?, here they are as skilled as always, but skill is not all in a song, honestly, after beasts such as lullabies or rated I expected a lot more, I it's not crap, but it isn't a good album neither, they always suck from a lot of sources to build great songs, here they were looking for third rate bands,and they got second hand songs, QOTSA fanboys, is It as good as previous albums?, here they are as skilled as always, but skill is not all in a song, honestly, after beasts such as lullabies or rated I expected a lot more, I see very high scores for the album, sure you give everything that's brand newfive stars.… Expand
  14. ChrisK
    Jul 20, 2009
    8
    QOTSA probably couldn't make a bad album even if they tried! This album is great, as you'd expect, just let down a bit by 1 or 2 of the songs...but with tunes like '3's and 7's' and 'Sick, Sick, Sick', you've got yourself a good deal. Also, the album's artwork is so cool!
  15. StevenS.
    Apr 3, 2008
    9
    I love this album, it's better than lullabies (which was great) and it's equal with songs for the deaf, it's absolutely addictive... kinda hard to explain what it sounds like... it's still QOTSA, but it's definitely unique, sometimes i even hear a little core-era STP influence, anyway, just buy it, it's awesome
  16. Sarah
    Mar 30, 2008
    10
    Every song has a hook, line has a catch-Homme has rewarded loyal Queens fans with snarky eyeroll aimed at corruption in the music industry and an openmouthed kiss fill with tongue, sweat, saliva, and a heap of good cranking tunes.
  17. MarkK.
    Feb 8, 2008
    9
    At times, the album seems to wonder away from it's path a little, but this is still Queens Of The Stone Age at their best.
  18. Anonymous
    Jan 10, 2008
    8
    A pretty much decent album from Qotsa. Although I do miss the guitar riffs from the previous albums, the sounds sound just good enough. Mostly every song on this album is pretty average to decent. But still, a good Queens of the stone age album that I wouldn't mind buying.
  19. HectorA.
    Jan 10, 2008
    8
    Not their most strongest album, but it is addicting and it grows on you. Pretty much a decent QOTSA album.
  20. WillR.
    Jan 8, 2008
    10
    Homme's best work yet!
  21. JohnH.
    Dec 31, 2007
    9
    Era Vulgaris is a totally different sound than any other QOTSA album, it sounds almost industrial, a bit like Nine Inch Nails. A fun cd to crank up in your car.
  22. VincentV.
    Dec 23, 2007
    9
    Great album, QOTSA can still do it. I like 'Make it with Chu' the best song. The best rock album released in 2007.
  23. Joris
    Dec 1, 2007
    8
    Intense and solid, especially the latter half of the album is very good, leaves room for some dark experimentation. While the opener Turning On The Screw somehow sounds lazy and Make it with Chu draws to hard on the same repetitive line until it becomes boring, Suture Up Your Future has to be one of QOTSA's finest songs to date, other favourites are River In The Road, Run Pig Run and Intense and solid, especially the latter half of the album is very good, leaves room for some dark experimentation. While the opener Turning On The Screw somehow sounds lazy and Make it with Chu draws to hard on the same repetitive line until it becomes boring, Suture Up Your Future has to be one of QOTSA's finest songs to date, other favourites are River In The Road, Run Pig Run and Sick Sick Sick. Re"commended.… Expand
  24. moonwaffle
    Nov 8, 2007
    5
    I've always been conflicted about qotsa. it seems like everyone one of their albums bears a meager handful of amazing songs, brilliant in their simplicity, and way more that i could hardly care less about. 'misfit love' and "3's & 7's" are essential. the rest sounds like a mix of stone temple pilot songs and really grating robot rock. it's worth a purchase, I've always been conflicted about qotsa. it seems like everyone one of their albums bears a meager handful of amazing songs, brilliant in their simplicity, and way more that i could hardly care less about. 'misfit love' and "3's & 7's" are essential. the rest sounds like a mix of stone temple pilot songs and really grating robot rock. it's worth a purchase, just barely though.… Expand
  25. TtKKjj
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    It's really f*cking good. Most powerful drums since In Utero.
  26. stunnastun
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    They always find a way to top their last album great work.
  27. BL
    Aug 14, 2007
    9
    Another different album from QOTSA containing great, occasionally weird songs. I have the Canadian version, that ends with Run Pig Run so I downloaded Running Joke and the title track which add on perfectly to the end of the album. This album is definitely not Songs for the Deaf part 2, so I can see why someone wanting that would be disappointed. That said, I think this album is excellent.
  28. LucasC
    Jul 31, 2007
    9
    Amazing!
  29. seand
    Jul 29, 2007
    8
    personally i thought this one was a huge improvement over the bloated and slow lullabies. that record is still pretty awesome but this just has the energy put back into queens
  30. MartinusB
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    kick ass album. qotsa and josh homme kicks ass!!!!!!
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2007
36
#36 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Hot Press
    80
    If Lullabies To Paralyze was a strange forest fairytale dusted with desert blues courtesy of Billy Gibbons, Era Vulgaris finds the band holed up in an abandoned funkhouse in the centre of a shady copse, waiting for some strange sexually-contracted fever to pass.
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  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Homme's ever-catchy formula remains, but the mood is uneasy and brooding, with tracks such as 'Sick, Sick, Sick' revealing a venomous new band that's finally learned to separate business and pleasure.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    Era Vulgaris is Homme's fifth Queens album, and like the others, it's intricately crafted, meticulously polished and ruthlessly efficient in its pursuit of depraved rock thrills.
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