Often, supergroups wind up dominated by one particular personality -- think
Eric Clapton in
Derek & the Dominos, or
Jack White in the
Raconteurs -- which makes the egalitarianism of
Them Crooked Vultures all the more remarkable. Of course, when it comes down to it, it’s a group of three natural-born collaborators:
John Paul Jones, the old studio pro who gravitated toward provocative partners after
Led Zeppelin’s demise, teaming up with
R.E.M. as easily as he did with avant-queen
Diamanda Galás and nu-folkster
Sara Watkins;
Dave Grohl, who hopped into an empty drummer’s chair whenever the opportunity presented itself; and
Josh Homme, who set up a mini-empire based entirely on jam sessions. If
Them Crooked Vultures brings to mind
Homme’s projects more than
Grohl's or
Jones', it’s largely due to his role as lead vocalist and how guitar can push a rhythm section as powerful as this to the side, dominating with its grinding riffs and solos.
Homme’s predilection for precision does reign supreme -- when the group stretches out, even wallowing in the murk on “Interlude with Ludes,” there’s the sense that, like a great improv troupe, the trio freaked out then retained the best moments, trimming away the indulgence and experiments, leaving behind intrinsically, grippingly musical hard rock, where power is secondary to interplay. And while there are melodies and hooks that certainly dig into the skull, what impresses is chemistry, how the three play together, how they instigate each other, and how they spur each other on, to the point where their familiar tropes sound fresh -- as on “Scumbug Blues,” where
Jones’ “Trampled Underfoot” clavinet intertwines with
Grohl’s avalanche and
Homme’s rigorous psychedelia -- creating guitar rock that’s at once classicist and adventurous and undeniably thrilling. [A vinyl version was released in 2009.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine