The Split CD Review

07/13/2005 6:21 AM, AMG


Always willing to experiment, guitarist Josh Homme recorded the two tracks on this split EP in 17 minutes on April Fools Day. The result is two of the best songs Queens of the Stone Age recorded. "The Bronze" features elaborate guitar solos that were few and far betweeen on the band's self-titled debut. The space-cowboy atmosphere the guitars create are accented by Homme's steadily improving vocals and lyrics. Homme's voice sounds like a road-proven rock & roll veteran. "These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For" is an instrumental track that bounces around with crunchy guitars and schizophrenic drumming -- an experiment, but it pays off. These two tracks leave the listener waiting to hear more. Beaver's two songs unfortunately are nothing new. The Kyuss influence is so apparent it almost sounds like a cover band except for the singer's whiny tones. Too bad Queens of the Stone Age couldn't record two more songs for a full EP. ~ David Thomas, All Music Guide