Queens of the Stone Age

Going farther down the rabbit hole with the same spooky, Halloweeny sound heard on 2005’s Lullabies to Paralyze, Queens of the Stone Age’s latest – Era Vulgaris – is proof Josh Homme and his ever-changing merry men are keeping it real. Case in point: Opening track “Turnin’ on the Screw” brings the distorted, machine percussions and sleazy-but-sexy rock, and “Sick, Sick, Sick” brings the low-chugging bass lines and simple but dangerous guitar riffs that create the Queen’s signature sound. Lullabies’ eerie vibe is recognizable on Vulgaris, but is dirtied with the stoner-rock sound from Rated R and the band’s first, self-titled album. Listen for fast-riffed, slide-guitar sensuality on “3’s & 7’s” and the smoky, seductive slow dance on “Make It Wit Chu.” But prepare for the ghastly, bad-acid-trip experience on “River in the Road.”

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“Lie to my face,” Homme croons. OK, your new release is horrible. 4 stars