There have been a number of rock supergroups that came out this year: Tinted Windows, The Dead Weather, Dead By Sunrise, and probably the most impressive of them all, Them Crooked Vultures (TCV).

The band comprises rock ‘n roll juggernauts Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Probot, Queens of the Stone Age, Scream) on the drums, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Eagle of Death Metal) as lead vocalist and guitar, and John Paul Jones, of legendary American rock group Led Zepellin, on bass and piano.

Putting together such an ensemble of rock icons takes time, and it was way back in 2005 that the notion of a band with these members was raised in a magazine interview by Grohl, so a lot of people have been on tenterhooks ever since. Finally getting together this year to record an independent release in the studio in July before embarking on a hugely successful British festival tour, they started by opening for the Arctic Monkeys at a London gig before entertaining crowds at Leeds and Reading.

It has been 17 years since Grohl was part of one of the most legendary rock performances of all time when Nirvana played at Reading. This show has gone down in rock-and-roll history, and although the TCV shows weren’t quite on the same level as that, they certainly lived up to the expectations of a band with such amazing members.

What I loved most about TCV’s debut self-titled album was the simplicity and ease with which the band seemed to come together. Undoubtedly, each member of the band is an incredible musician, but three great musicians does not a band make.

It would have been all too easy for TCV to try to overcomplicate things on the basis of their legendary backgrounds, but what makes the band stand out are the simple guitar riffs and song composition, which gives a jam-session feel to their tracks.

If you are a fan of Nirvana, the Foo Fighters, or even Led Zeppelin and are hoping for some sort of insanely epic combination of the three, 2+2=5 style, then I’m afraid you may be disappointed. The band does not carry over any sounds of the members previous bands, other than a slight resemblance to some Queens of the Stone Age (not too surprising as both Grohl and Homme are members of the band).

What you will get from TCV is an entertaining meeting of three incredible artists having a good time. Even though Grohl and Homme have worked together before, it is John Paul Jones who stands out - at 63, he is significantly older than his bandmates, but doesn’t miss a step. His movement between instruments adds layers to the tracks, which save the band from sounding too simplistic.

You should definitely grab this album, not just because it is good but because if Them Crooked Vultures are anything like the many rock supergroups who have come before them, the yet-unsigned band may have a fairly short run before moving on.

Rating: 3.5/5

- James ‘Scotty’ Crawford

Links:
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/home
http://www.myspace.com/crookedvultures