In Times New Roman... is raw, at times brutal and not recommended for the faint of heart. And yet, it’s perhaps the most beautiful and definitely the most rewarding album in their epic discography. Founder Joshua Homme's most acerbic lyrics to date are buoyed by the instantly identifiable QOTSA sonic signature, expanded and embellished with new and unprecedented twists in virtually every song. With In Times New Roman… we see that sometimes one needs to look beneath scars and scabs to see beauty, and sometimes the scabs and scars are the beauty. Feeling a bit out of place, and having difficulty finding music they could relate to, the members of QOTSA did as they are wont to do: In Times New Roman… is the sound of a band creating the music its own members want to hear, while giving the rest of us a sonic forum in which to congregate. “The world’s gonna end in a month or two," sings Homme, begging the question: What do you want to do to with the time you’ve got left? Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Dean Fertita, Michael Shuman and Jon Theodore may not be able to save us, but they’re giving us a place to ride it out. In Times New Roman… was recorded and mixed at Homme’s own Pink Duck (RIP), with additional recording at Shangri-La. The album was produced by Queens of the Stone Age and mixed by Mark Rankin. The album will be available across all digital platforms and on vinyl and CD on June 16th. Artwork and double LP gatefold packaging designed by long time collaborator Boneface.
N**R
A must for all QOTSA fans, musicians and avid contemporary music lovers or “Ahhhhh! That’s better… “
I write this as I listen to the vinyl for the first time and I’m only halfway through side 2 (of 3 & a bit sides), so it’s really fresh in my ears! Straight off - it passes the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’! (Look it up…)I got into QOTSA with their album, ‘Certified R’ and have followed them ever since. So yes, this will be slightly biased but an honest approach. That said, I have seen their meandering through the wilds of their music career, watching and listening to all they had to offer.The previous full album studio release, “Villains”, took a leap into the eclectic world of hi-fidelity with the inclusion of producer extraordinare, Mark Ronson for whom I also have a deep respect. It is a great album but obviously this was not the approach that really suited Josh and the Queens! And moreso, I missed that lo-fi ambiance that is so ‘QOTSA’! It seemed to be a “glitzy stifled’ offerin. I believe that all the aforementioned really had an effect on their creative process. I know how much they like to f… about in the studio, with their own way of experimentation and more importantly, time.So ‘In Times New Roman’ is without the hi-fi and it seems, the lure & distraction of the great ‘outside’ & they are back plotting their own path in their own way - sort of “regression-progression” as it implies, ‘In Times New Roman’ and I applaud them. For it truly is all about the music.The only downside of the album is there’s not enough of it! Come on Josh, I know there is whole load of other stuff you created and could have included at the same time!“Nicotine, vallium, viadin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol…” indeed!PS: Yet again Amazon sent me warped vinyl offering. Wake-up Amazon, I’m starting to sound like a stuck stylus. Sort it out!
I**G
Good but far below their best
If you're a fan of the band I have no hesitation in recommending you add this album to the others you already own.The sound is definitely recognisable as a QOTSA effort but it's far from their best. That doesn't mean it's not good just that some of their earlier stuff is phenomenal. For me it required repeated listening before I began to enjoy it. There's a smaller number of catchy foot thumping tunes than previous releases but they are still there.If you are new to QOTSA don't start here, otherwise go for it.
R**R
Actually, quite brilliant.
It took me more than 3 listens to get into this album. The arrangements are pretty dense bordering on prog rock. That's fine by me. Immediate likes tend to become boring in my experience. There are no standout riffs but a lot of first class arrangement that use every instrument fully. The bass player gets some very tasty parts for example.If I had to knock something then "What the peephole say" tries too hard to please as if designed for a music promo video.
J**Y
Good times roman
Great album, the third in a row .
A**D
In Times New Roman.
Great service & great C.D.Very happy, will definitely use again. Thanks.
A**R
I think it’s a great album
It’s better than their last two albums 👍🏻
N**A
I’m obsessed
I really like where Queen’s have gone with this record. Everything seems so carefully crafted, textured, atmosphere all over the place, catchy riffs, clever lyrics. It swallows you up. Can’t help but dance to the groove of the thumping basslines. Every listen reveals more. A masterpiece.I’ve played this non-stop since release, it’s got to be my album of the year. Can’t wait to see these guys live in Nov-23, they are such a well-oiled machine at this point. Glastonbury set was smokin’.
M**Y
Solid album
Seen these guys live twice and are one my favourite bands. The last album Villains was little disappointed but this album they are well truly back to making solid albums again.
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