Queens of the Stone Age: "...Like Clockwork"

“I blow my load over the status quo.”

So sings Josh Homme on the eighth track, “Smooth Sailing” of “…Like Clockwork,” Queens of the Stone Age’s hyped sixth studio album.

The lyric perfectly describes the 70’s-inspired rock and roll album.

“…Like Clockwork” succeeds in breaking the mold of a notably vacant hard rock scene, filled with a myriad of albums that are beginning to sound textbook and formulaic.

That being said, formulaic is the very last word I’d use to describe “…Like Clockwork.”

The veteran group’s effort valiantly transcends cliché chord progressions and rarely sticks to conventional song structures. It brings back the retro sound that not only made Queens of the Stone Age so beloved, but also made the 70’s a golden age of rock and roll, without sounding like the band is trying to copy directly from any long-gone band.

The opening track, “Keep Your Eyes Peeled” spins us down a spooky and atmospheric spiral, crunching in huge palm-muted powerchords, introducing us into an album of upbeat rock, highlighted on songs like “I Sat by the Ocean,” “If I Had a Tail,” and “Smooth Sailing,” and rich piano-driven ballads like “The Vampyre of Time and Memory,” and “Kalopsia.”

“…Like Clockwork” is Queens of the Stone Age perfecting its classic no-holds-barred 70’s distorted rock and roll, with frontman Josh Homme’s deep lyrics being sung through his trademark vocal patches.

Debuted at Lollapalooza Brazil, the lead single, “My God is the Sun” is the heaviest and most upbeat track on the album, ripping through its loose riffage and catchy lyrics with style and ease.

However, “…Like Clockwork” has its blunders, as well. “I Appear Missing” is forgettable, getting lost in the thick of the album, and the title track is a poor closing for the album. In fact, it feels like trudging through thick waters. It’s a welcome change of pace, but it’s disappointing to see such a strong effort finish with such a forgettable number.

Overall, “…Like Clockwork” is an excellent piece of work as a whole, bouncing back and forth between all kinds of styles while maintaining a very strong stylistic presence. The 70’s crunchy groove on top of the driving rock and roll drums just works. The phased out guitar leads, the countless effects, and the rich, deep bass make the album sound well-crafted and fun to listen to.

The sound is definitely weird. Much of the album isn’t meant for a casual listener, and a lot of it will only appeal to veteran Queens fans, but for the most part, the album lives up to the hype, and the weirdness of “…Like Clockwork” is welcome and wonderful.