Queens of the Stone Age: solid as a rock

Hard rock has been one of those genres that haven’t delivered great material in large quantities lately. …Like clockwork (2013), the latest release by Queens of the Stone Age, is a marvelous exception. Josh Homme and his peers made a record that has managed to come off as concise while catching a wide range of sonorities at the same time. The array of moods has been handled proficiently: the heavy tunes are stunning and the ballads are arrestingly delicate.  The piano and its versatile sonic palette definitely stands out (Elton John is featured artist.) …Like clockwork is one of the most solid albums I have come across this year. Its strength lies in an impressive management of melody and the fearlessness a band shows after realizing there are no boundaries holding its music.

This is a live performance of …Like clockwork