Them Crooked Vultures

This rock supergroup delivers by drawing upon each member's talents and creating a sound that's refreshingly singular and remarkably fun.

The band’s self-titled debut at times leans too heavily on familiar riff ’n’ roll, but for the most part it’s a groovy cross-generational jam.

Nasty riffs and sticky melodies are everywhere, buttered over by the androgynous harmonies that have made Homme a hard-rock anti-hero, but verse-chorus arrangements hold little interest. Instead, there are fascinating digressions, packed with surprises.

Them Crooked Vultures is a wonderful introduction to this all-star band.

Actually, closer to the truth is that it sounds like a QOTSA record with the kind of solid rhythm-section money couldn't buy. And if that's the case then this is the best QOTSA record since 2002's "Songs For The Deaf".

The ghost of Led Zep hangs heavy over this debut collaboration. Though that's mostly "heavy" as in "heartily rocking." Homme's decidedly un-Plant-like vocal tones ensure matters never get too close to the mothership. [20 Nov 2009, p.85]

Although the loud tracks are the most immediate, the subtleties of later numbers like "Reptiles" prove nearly as rewarding,; don't even think of stopping play before "Gunman" shows what these pros do with a dance number.

Ultimately, such details of momentum and mood are testimony to how Them Crooked Vultures flouts the supergroup manual. It doesn't sound like the work of rich men on holiday, but rather three serious individuals looking to prove themselves over again. [Jan 2010, p. 88]

Them Crooked Vultures sounds best when they don’t toy with that formula; the experimentation gets messy.

Them Crooked Vultures still feels like a record to be checked off a list rather than one to live with and fully invest in.

This stomping, panting, sweaty monster is a great listen.

For both Grohl and Homme, Them Crooked Vultures isn't a supergroup pitched at the world's stadia, but rather a pressure release valve from their highly successful day jobs, an opportunity to kick out the jams - this is very much an album based around heads-down, brain-disengaged, rock 'n' roll boogie jamming - and revisit the classic hard rock sounds they were reared upon. [Jan 2010, p. 114]

Homme and Grohl are old hands at this kind of thing--see their excellent Zeppelin homages on the Queens' "Songs for the Deaf." But they definitely seem inspired by Jonesy's presence, and he helps them keep it light.

From tip to toe, Them Crooked Vultures is composed with an endearing confidence and swagger, executed with aplomb by musicians at the peak of their prowess.

Believe it or not, though, this appealingly lightweight set of funky robo-rock jams actually makes good on Homme's promise.