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Desert Sessions, Vols. 11 & 12
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Desert Sessions, Vols. 11 & 12 Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: 16 years since the last volume, Josh Homme and a new group of artists including Carla Azar, Matt Berry, Les Claypool, Billy Gibbons, Mike Kerr, Stella Mozgawa, and Jake Shears came together in Joshua Tree to record eight new songs over five days.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. DIY Magazine
    Oct 25, 2019
    90
    Vols. 11 & 12 yield nothing but successes. The eight tracks here are scrappy, sure, and have the understandable feel of demos rather than fully formed final products. But the bones of the beast? Well, they’re kind of brilliant.
  2. Kerrang!
    Oct 28, 2019
    80
    It crucially all gels properly into something all of its own, rather than disparate parts that won't mix no matter how hard they're shaken. [26 Oct 2019, p.54]
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  3. Mojo
    Oct 22, 2019
    80
    A lysergic brew of dust-blown ballads, thumping punk rock and shimmery psychedelia. The jarring stylistic clash is often part of the charm. [Dec 2019, p.88]
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  4. The Quietus
    Oct 30, 2019
    80
    The latest iteration of Homme’s continuous project has come a long way since the epic jams of the late 90s, having evolved into more refined, and fully realised series of releases, never failing to inhabit the spirit of risk and adventure.
  5. Consequence
    Oct 31, 2019
    75
    The sound of a collaboration remains a refreshing and wonderful thing. In fact, perhaps the best way to describe the material included on Vols. 11 & 12 would be to borrow the title of a long-running magazine devoted to Led Zeppelin: “tight but loose.”
  6. Uncut
    Oct 22, 2019
    70
    Laid-back and loose maybe, but neither lazy nor lacklustre. [Dec 2019, p.33]
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  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 30, 2019
    50
    In short, it’s a bit of a misfire.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. bnanna922
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    This album is pure fun. Sometimes it harkens back to Beatles-on-LSD absurdity, but it also brings back eastern instrumentals reminiscent ofThis album is pure fun. Sometimes it harkens back to Beatles-on-LSD absurdity, but it also brings back eastern instrumentals reminiscent of Soundgarden's Half, and it also throws in a couple of wonderful tracks that could easily have been on QOTSA's Like Clockwork. It's a pleasure to listen to and a welcome pallette cleanser after hearing the rest of what's being offered today.… Expand
  2. fede01_8
    Oct 30, 2019
    5
    Disappointment of the year. On paper, this should have been a brilliant record. A combination of great musicians of different styles. But theDisappointment of the year. On paper, this should have been a brilliant record. A combination of great musicians of different styles. But the songs are forgettable with a filler vibe to them. This would not be an issue if the album weren't so short. There's not a lot to pick here.… Expand