Them Crooked Vultures
by Them Crooked Vultures
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 141 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 153
  3. Negative: 8 out of 153

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  1. CarlV
    Apr 13, 2010
    10
    This album is simply one of the best albums from all the contributing parties. It's a great experiment they made, with no one to impress after unanimous success, they still impress anyway. Mark of a truly amazing band. Other bands should take note.
  2. JJ
    Mar 10, 2010
    10
    Absolutely fresh and fantastic! Musicians will love this album. Listening to it again right now!
  3. NathanS
    Nov 23, 2009
    8
    What can I say? The lineup is one of the oddest in "supergroup" history, but the results speak for themselves. It's hard to capture the essence of what's on this album in only a few words. It's akin to what Led Zeppelin would have sounded like if they'd started 30 years later. Certainly not everyone will love it, which keeps it from being perfect. The songs are fairly What can I say? The lineup is one of the oddest in "supergroup" history, but the results speak for themselves. It's hard to capture the essence of what's on this album in only a few words. It's akin to what Led Zeppelin would have sounded like if they'd started 30 years later. Certainly not everyone will love it, which keeps it from being perfect. The songs are fairly simple and straight-forward stylistically, but the rocking, rolling, riffing and crunching somehow manages to not sound as unoriginal as it most likely is.… Expand
  4. CedricF
    Nov 20, 2009
    10
    JOSH HOMME IS A FRIKKIN LEGEND!!! DAVE GROHL IS A FRIKKING LEGEND- he should stick with drums and other bands instead of foo fighters JPJ says itself
  5. Sasha
    Dec 19, 2009
    9
    pretty good if you like Queens of the Stone Age, youll like this. its just more hard hitting. some songs tho, arent too good, like Interludes with Ludes and Warsaw Or The Breathe You Take U Take U Give Up and Mind Eraser No Chaser. The rest are good or great. Don't miss this.
  6. MikeF
    Jan 13, 2010
    10
    A superb album with grat variation. Talanted musicians doing some of their best work and considering is was a project initially by Grohl it has come together brilliantly. Top marks and I hope there is another record.
  7. ClarkA.
    Feb 10, 2010
    10
    Hot damn, this is a good album. The musicianship blows you away, and Homme once again proves that he is master of the rock riff. Buy this.
  8. SamH
    Feb 13, 2010
    10
    An excellent album, which shows the talent of everyone involved, JPJ on bass and Dave Grohl on drums gel together really nicely, which is topped off by the amazing sound of Josh Homme. A great change from the general slurry of "music" which is released nowadays. Hope there's more great albums where this one came from!
  9. TimH
    Feb 2, 2010
    9
    These three artists are solid in their other groups, and come together powerfully for TCV. I don't always love "supergoups" but this time it absolutely works.
  10. JohnM.
    Feb 9, 2010
    10
    Awesome guitar and bass. Tight drums and diverse singing.
  11. SamH.
    Nov 19, 2009
    10
    Rock at it's finest. An amazing album from three amazing musicians.
  12. DanalyzerX
    Nov 19, 2009
    9
    Start. Stop. Go Fast. Slow Down. Take Your Time. Hurry Up. If this doesn't make sense to a reviewer from Spin or RS, why am I not surprised? Did you enjoy the bonfire where Matchbox 20 and the Spin Doctors were cranked and some dumbass jock who HAD a car made off w/ your g/f? OMG- This is the shot heard around the rock world. It is so tongue in cheek at times- "You'll blow them Start. Stop. Go Fast. Slow Down. Take Your Time. Hurry Up. If this doesn't make sense to a reviewer from Spin or RS, why am I not surprised? Did you enjoy the bonfire where Matchbox 20 and the Spin Doctors were cranked and some dumbass jock who HAD a car made off w/ your g/f? OMG- This is the shot heard around the rock world. It is so tongue in cheek at times- "You'll blow them all in King Dumbcumb" - Bandoliers? umm an unofficial airing of grievances ala JPJ re: Page and Plant? The balls to call a song Reptiles? After all, wasnt the mighty LZ referred to as Dinosaurs by Darby Crash or some other punk icon? Joshua has other lil pokes here, too many to mention but is this ever so fine, particularly at a time when Nirvana live shit is being released and Nickleback is still on the charts. Shun shun shun, I shall have my fun knowing this has Brett Michaels heading back to Pennsylvania scratching his ass and shaking his head. Say hi to Axl baby. This has camaros in high school parking lots revved and ready to go..... getting stoned never felt so good- oh wait- is that my woman unzipping my pants? Why, yes it is. Cheers P Diddy.… Expand
  13. DylanD
    Nov 20, 2009
    10
    Wow, with some of the albums getting higher marks then this, the reviewers need to check their brains. An amazing album from three hard rock gods. Anything with Dave Grohl is going to be amazing.
  14. MarceloO.
    Nov 30, 2009
    9
    Excellent album. Classic rock 'n roll, greats songs and inspired arrangements
  15. OL.
    Dec 15, 2009
    9
    Really great rock album. Retains some of the best aspects of each band. A decent amount of variation, but they don't deviate too much from their core sound, they keep it quite continuous and strong. Some brilliant songs, and though it's a fairly long album it keeps the listener very interested.
  16. JoshK
    Jan 15, 2010
    10
    Awesome album, that even at its worst is still better than the crap playing on top 40 radio stations. If there is any real downside to this album its that it doesn't quite live up to the expectations of what the band members involved could do. Instead it sounds more like a continuation of Queens of the stone age coming off Era Vulgaris. But as I said even at its worst its still beats Awesome album, that even at its worst is still better than the crap playing on top 40 radio stations. If there is any real downside to this album its that it doesn't quite live up to the expectations of what the band members involved could do. Instead it sounds more like a continuation of Queens of the stone age coming off Era Vulgaris. But as I said even at its worst its still beats the crap on mainstream radio. oh and Scumbag Blues may be the best song ever.… Expand
  17. marekh.
    Mar 23, 2010
    10
    This is incredible... amen.
  18. JoeH
    Nov 18, 2009
    9
    One of the best albums of the year. Really slick, well produced. Loud, but not overcompressed like Metallica or even the latest stuff from most rock bands- someone finally figured out how to use an LA-2A properly. Tight too, flows very well from track to track, which is rare. I'd bet money that this was recorded on old school tape and not in digital format. I loved it, it's a One of the best albums of the year. Really slick, well produced. Loud, but not overcompressed like Metallica or even the latest stuff from most rock bands- someone finally figured out how to use an LA-2A properly. Tight too, flows very well from track to track, which is rare. I'd bet money that this was recorded on old school tape and not in digital format. I loved it, it's a great album. It's so meticulous, like listening to the Radiohead or Sigur Ros of metal.… Expand
  19. PFunk
    Nov 18, 2009
    10
    I LOVE Queens Of The Stone Age, Foos, and Zep, so perhaps I'm somewhat biased, but this album is fantastic. I popped it in the CD player of my car radio on the way home after buying it, and I was nearly forced to pull over, having succumbed to one eargasm after another. This is the swift kick in the balls that rock needed. Is it bloated? Yes. Is it indulgent? Yes. It is the most I LOVE Queens Of The Stone Age, Foos, and Zep, so perhaps I'm somewhat biased, but this album is fantastic. I popped it in the CD player of my car radio on the way home after buying it, and I was nearly forced to pull over, having succumbed to one eargasm after another. This is the swift kick in the balls that rock needed. Is it bloated? Yes. Is it indulgent? Yes. It is the most invigorating musical experience I'd had in years? Absolutely.… Expand
  20. AlexC
    Nov 19, 2009
    10
    Critics dont know what they're talking about, ask for one of them if they ever tried to create something from their imagination and put it on the market, ask them if they even made it to the top100 song of the week, b*llshit talk this album is incredible, every bandmate has a huge role and it's taken in a brilliant way, I just love it.
  21. MaxP
    Nov 19, 2009
    9
    So there has been so much anticipation hype for this album and at first listen it seems like a let down for sure. I am an advocate for Queens of the Stone Age and loved Songs for the Deaf with Grohl, but this album doesnt have the same automatic impact. THIS ALBUM GETS BETTER WITH EVERY LISTEN, until you realize this collaboration is golden. With the exception of Mind Eraser, I can listen So there has been so much anticipation hype for this album and at first listen it seems like a let down for sure. I am an advocate for Queens of the Stone Age and loved Songs for the Deaf with Grohl, but this album doesnt have the same automatic impact. THIS ALBUM GETS BETTER WITH EVERY LISTEN, until you realize this collaboration is golden. With the exception of Mind Eraser, I can listen through this album no problem. WARSAW has to be my favorite, but so many different riffs will get stuck in your head making you want to listen to more. My suggestion to critics, actually listen to the album more than once. good job TCV.… Expand
  22. BryanS
    Nov 19, 2009
    9
    Every listen I hear something new. Song structure is tossed out the window in favor or rocking musical arrangements that take you places you weren't expecting to go. If anything this album exceeded my already high expectations. The group sounds as if they've been riffing together since the Stone Age.
  23. DaveS
    Nov 21, 2009
    9
    Lots of haters and people expecting to hear Zeppelin or Nirvana reencarnated. And stop using the term "Supergroup," it kind of shows your hand as to what you were expecting. Sorry "professional" music reviewers, that is not what TCV was about. TCV is about great musicians making kick-ass rock n' roll. Take it on its own merits, as if you had never heard of these guys before, and Lots of haters and people expecting to hear Zeppelin or Nirvana reencarnated. And stop using the term "Supergroup," it kind of shows your hand as to what you were expecting. Sorry "professional" music reviewers, that is not what TCV was about. TCV is about great musicians making kick-ass rock n' roll. Take it on its own merits, as if you had never heard of these guys before, and enjoy the music. Bandoliers, Gunman, Elephants, and Scumbag Blues are all individually worth this collaboration (even if no more music comes out of TCV).… Expand
  24. RodrigoG
    Nov 22, 2009
    9
    Excellent mix of Queen's/Zep/Grohl's thunderstorm dirty drumming. It works, although not incredible inventive. Definitely a top 10 release of 2009. Deserves a loud listening!
  25. JaredM.
    Nov 22, 2009
    9
    One cannot expect much better from a supergroup composed of some of the most skilled musicians in the rock n' roll business.
  26. SilvioR.
    Nov 22, 2009
    10
    The music is constantly new. They have the same outstandingly awesome effect on me every time I hear them as if it were still the first time. Every song has it's own attitude and personality - truly good music.
  27. LukeJ.
    Nov 23, 2009
    9
    This is one of my favorite albums this year. The only weakness being Grohl on drums and not vocals. Homme gets the job done but it lacks a little intensity that Grohl delivers. Grohl does rock the drums pretty fierce.
  28. JohnT.
    Nov 24, 2009
    10
    saw these guys in seattle. some of the greatest hard rock moments ive ever seen live. and that includes sabbath, metallica, soundgarden.. they have only scratched the surface of the endless possibilities
  29. BlackSkunk
    Dec 26, 2009
    10
    Excellent, has a bit of everything thrown in, whilst sounding a bit different to the norm. Dirty, raunchy sound. Rock music at its best. Well done chaps, a super album from a super group. Hope you do another.
  30. RogerT
    Dec 31, 2009
    10
    The name change from Josh's QOTSA moniker hardly seems necessary, but damn its good to hear an album of this calibre from him again. From them all again!
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2009
75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Drowned In Sound
    50
    It’s an oddball groove-rock album, played very well, imprinted with Homme's undeniably interesting personality. Yet when all’s said and done, it's not particularly memorable and entirely lacks the type of yee-haw exuberance that might have made it a sloppy treat.
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  2. PopMatters
    80
    This stomping, panting, sweaty monster is a great listen.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
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