Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On Review

Posted by Michael Adler on 10.30.2008

Joshua Homme and Jesse Hughes bring you the album of the year, and prove Axl Rose has no idea what the f*ck he's talking about.

Alright, firstly I suppose I should clear up, for those not in the know, that the Eagles of Death Metal (EODM) are neither a death metal band, nor are they affiliated with the Eagles in any way. That one threw me for a loop the first time I heard about the band. In any event, most of their songs make “Hotel California” look like the “Macarena.”

What EODM are: one of Josh Homme’s (credited as Joshua "Baby Ducks" Homme on the album) various projects. You may know him better as the brains behind Queens of the Stone Age. Here he produces, mixes, records, engineers, and along with Jesse "Boots Electric" Hughes performs on their latest album, Heart On.



Track Listing:

1. Anything 'Cept the Truth
2. Wannabe in L.A
3. (I Used to Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants
4. High Voltage
5. Secret Plans
6. Now I'm a Fool
7. Heart On
8. Cheap Thrills
9. How Can a Man with So Many Friends Feel So Alone
10. Solo Flights
11. Prissy Prancin'
12. I'm Your Torpedo

I’ll come right out and say this album oozes awesomeness. Infamously they were not well received when opening up for Guns N' Roses a while back - Axl referred to them as the "pigeons of shit metal." Forgetting about their other awesome work, this album alone should make Axl eat his words. Up to now, Heart On is the album of the year.

One of my favorite things about Joshua Homme is that out of anyone in the music industry, he comes up with the best song titles ever. Before we get to the music, props to “(I Used to Couldn’t Dance) Tight Pants” and “Prissy Prancin'”. Not quite “The Fun Machine took a Shit and Died”, but still pretty neat.

Musically, no one else quite sounds like EODM, and that’s a good thing. You definitely wouldn’t confuse it with QOTSA. It’s got some distortion, but it’s also got a straightforward rock sound mixed with some country and funk influences. The songs for the most part are under five minutes, and nothing overstays its welcome. No song is out of place, and when the album’s over, you’re left wanting more.

From the high-energy opener, “Anything ‘Cept the Truth”, you know you’re in for a treat. The album unfolds with various songs about boozing, dancing, and partying across Los Angeles. And the highlights keep coming. The aforementioned “(I Used to Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants” may be the greatest modern rock song written about a white man’s lack of rhythm since Phil Collins’ “I Can’t Dance.” Of course, here the EODM eventually learn to dance. For something a little slower, “I’m a Fool” has an irresistible groove, and although it’s an uncharacteristically mellow moment on the album, it in no way slows down the momentum. “How Can a Man With So Many Friends Feel So All Alone” is another great song that sounds like a country song with a stoner vibe. The title track, “Heart On” is catchy, and sounds a bit like “Brown Sugar” without being too derivative.

Closing the album is “I’m Your Torpedo”, which I might rank as one of the top album closers of all time. It’s got a sweet beat, great use of distorted guitar and synth, and brilliant lyrics. Jesse Hughes sings over the wall of sound, “Give me some head and a light, then I guess it’s goodnight.” I have to say, I wish all my nights ended like that. And as with many Joshua Homme projects you get the whimsical ending; in this case some whistling dixie-nice.

The 411: EODM have crafted an expert musical experience detailing a wild night out on the town in L.A. Go out and buy this album. It's an amazing experience from start to end, and the best album of the year hands down.

Final Score:  9.5   [  Amazing ]