Era Vulgaris

Josh Homme tries to conceal his genius behind a battery of guitars that sound like power tools and lyrics that are often shocking and disturbing. Yet, the brilliance of his invigorating Queens of the Stone Age is still hard to miss. Homme has an uncanny knack for making even the most basic songs sound lavish and decadent, wielding an endless assortment of chunky, searing guitar riffs and oddly appealing hooks, putting meat on the bare bones of his songs. Few current rock artists are as painstaking, detailed, and nuanced in trying to sound simple — or as deft in the production room, coaxing an incredible variety of sonic delights from a very straightforward recipe. Tracks like “Sick, Sick, Sick” (with the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas) and “Battery Acid” are bracing, buzzing, fuzzed-out romps intended to shred your mind, but even more interesting are “I’m Designer,” which calls to mind Zeppelin’s funkier ‘70s days, and “Into the Hollow,” which adds some rather nifty prog-rock flourishes. They ease up on the gas just a bit for the soulful “Make It Wit Chu” and groove-heavy “Suture Up Your Future,” but for the most part, Era Vulgaris doesn’t ever stop to catch its breath; it hurtles forward with focus and purpose.