Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman... (Album Review)
Thursday, 22 June 2023
Written by Graeme Marsh
Photo: Andreas Neumann
Both ‘…Like Clockwork’ and ‘Villains’, Queens of the Stone Ages’ two most recent albums, were noticeably less hard-hitting than earlier efforts. But on ‘In Times New Roman...’, Josh Homme and his band are back in snarling rock mode. While that will appeal to their hardcore fans, the record lacks the killer tunes that they earlier used to break the mould in stunning ways.
Recording began in 2021 but understandably slowed when Homme, now 50, received treatment for cancer and became embroiled in a nasty split from partner Brody Dalle. The finishing touches, including the majority of the vocals, took some considerable time to crystallise.
Opener Obscenery buzzes along between a brief flurry of strings—it’s almost a stereotypical Queens of the Stone Age belter, as is angry, vitriolic single Paper Machete.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve coming round this place,” Homme sings on the pumped-up Time & Place as we’re treated to something a bit different, with swirling psych elements rattling into its baked desert-rock, but it takes time to nestle in.
Equally, Made to Parade starts out too much like recent crowd dis-pleasers Royal Blood, but stick with it and things get more interesting, particularly during an addictive second half that sees scrawled guitars alongside a bouncy backdrop. Some compelling wordplay transforms several song titles such as the album highlight Carnavoyeur, where Homme states “there’s nothing I can do” over a screeching wall of noise.
In reality, everything else here simply leads up to the epic nine-minute closer Straight Jacket Fitting, which ever so slightly echoes past glories before it hits a wall and slides out quietly. There’s darkness, negativity and anger on show during ‘In Times New Roman...’ and while it won’t go down as the greatest collection in Homme’s back catalogue, it’s an adequate addition with just enough intrigue and appeal to stay on the turntable for a while.
Queens Of The Stone Age Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu June 22 2023 - MARGATE Dreamland
Fri June 23 2023 - CARDIFF Cardiff Castle
Tue November 14 2023 - MANCHESTER AO Arena
Wed November 15 2023 - LONDON O2
Sat November 18 2023 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sun November 19 2023 - BIRMINGHAM Resorts World Arena
Mon November 20 2023 - STOCKTON Stockton Globe
Wed November 22 2023 - DUBLIN 3Arena
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
