"The Vampyre of Time and Memory" is a song by the American band Queens of the Stone Age, from their sixth studio album, ...Like Clockwork. Written by Josh Homme, the song was released as a promotional single in November 2013.
| "The Vampyre of Time and Memory" | |
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| Promotional single by Queens of the Stone Age | |
| from the album ...Like Clockwork | |
| Released | November 2013 |
| Recorded | August 9, 2012 – March 9, 2013 at Pink Duck Studios in Burbank, California |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:34 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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The band performed the track live on Conan on October 30, 2013.[1][2] An interactive music video for the song was also released on November 18, 2013.[3]
Critical reception
editJason Heller of The A.V. Club described the song as "insidiously catchy."[4] Leonie Cooper of NME wrote that the song "is a startlingly low-key piano hymnal, even with its flashes of Giorgio Moroder synths and cocaine-soul guitar solo," while comparing the confessional lyrics and the power ballad melody to the works of Fleetwood Mac.[5] Kitty Empire of The Observer also compared the song to the works of David Bowie during the 1970s.[6] Hywel Roberts similarly wrote that the song "is a piano driven Bond-esque track with Homme sounding really very similar to David Bowie in the opening verse.[7] Stuart Berman of Pitchfork Media stated that the song "strains too hard in its attempt at an early-70s John Lennon piano ballad."[8]
In his track-by-track review, Gary Graff of Billboard wrote: "This dark power ballad starts with just Homme's voice and piano before filling out into an angsty but tuneful lament."[9] Sharon O'Connell of Uncut stated that elements of electronica are added to a backdrop of the song "that taps, Eric Clapton, Queen and early-’70s Elton John."[10]
Music video
editA teaser trailer for the interactive music video was released on October 28, 2013,[11] while the video itself was officially released on November 18, 2013.[3] It was directed by Kii Arens and Jason Trucco, in partnership with the Creators Project.[12]
The video shows "embalmed-looking Josh Homme" and rest of the band performing in a set of increasingly macabre locales, including "a taxidermist’s parlor," accompanied by "two maids and one voodoo priestess."[12][13] The viewers of the interactive video are able to tour "a haunted house" which the band is performing in and flip through the song's lyrics.[14][15]
The regular version of the music video was also released on YouTube.[3][12]
Ms. Dolly Boyd plays the role of the voodoo priestess.
Personnel
edit- Queens of the Stone Age
- Josh Homme – vocals, piano, moog, Roland SH-2, drums, production
- Michael Shuman – bass, vocals, production
- Troy Van Leeuwen – moog lap steel, moog, Korg Arpeggio, production
- Dean Fertita – piano, guitars, production
- Joey Castillo – drums
- Additional personnel
- Mark Rankin – recording, mixing
- Alain Johannes – additional engineering
- Justin Smith – additional engineering
- Gavin Lurssen – mastering
References
edit- ^ McGovern, Kyle (October 31, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age Start Halloween With 'The Vampyre of Time and Memory' on 'Conan'". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Firecloud, Johnny (October 31, 2013). "QOTSA Haunt Conan With 'The Vampyre of Time and Memory'". CraveOnline. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ a b c Pelly, Jenn (November 18, 2013). "Watch Queens of the Stone Age's "The Vampyre of Time and Memory" Interactive Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Heller, Jason (June 4, 2013). "Queens Of The Stone Age: …Like Clockwork". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Cooper, Leonie (May 31, 2013). "Queens Of The Stone Age - '…Like Clockwork'". NME. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Empire, Kitty (June 2, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age: …Like Clockwork – review". The Observer. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Roberts, Hywel (November 18, 2013). "Queens Of The Stone Age unveil video for 'The Vampyre of Time and Memory'". Gigwise. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Berman, Stuart (June 3, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age - Like Clockwork". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Graff, Gary (May 29, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age, '...Like Clockwork': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ O’Connell, Sharon. "Queens Of The Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork". Uncut. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (October 28, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age "The Vampyre of Time and Memory" (video trailer)". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Queens Of The Stone Age – "The Vampyre Of Time And Memory" Interactive Music Video". Stereogum. November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Watch: Queens of the Stone Age's video for "The Vampyre of Time and Memory"". Consequence of Sound. November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ McGovern, Kyle (November 18, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age Drop Creepy 'Vampyre of Time and Memory' Video". Spin. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (November 18, 2013). "Queens of the Stone Age unveil new interactive video for "The Vampyre of Time and Memory"". Loudwire. Retrieved January 9, 2014.