All hail these Queens

Rock

Queens of the Stone Age

Era Vulgaris (Interscope) The title may refer to the common times we're living in, but Josh Homme is an uncommon man indeed. On the fifth effort by his nutty outfit of fusion fiends, Homme is all over the map and the travels are a hoot. This time out, the singer-songwriter-guitarist is joined by regulars such as the spooky-voiced Mark Lanegan, drummer Joey Castillo, and multi-instrumentalist Troy Van LeeUwen. New friend Julian Casablancas of the Strokes adds his bit to the sinister dance track, and first single, "Sick, Sick, Sick." But the real revelation of this "Era" is Homme's own voice. He dials it down to a sweet, light croon for the carefree sneer at Hollywood vacuousness, "I'm Designer." He gets all glammy and growly on the appropriately corrosive and Bowie-esque "Battery Acid." And he puts on his finest silly-sexy falsetto for the surprisingly nimble slice of loverman soul "Make it Wit Chu" (which originally appeared on the 2003 edition of Homme's "Desert Sessions" releases). "Into the Hollow" is fine swamp rock that would've fit in nicely on the Raconteurs album. Somehow, it all works together, from the psychedelic guitar warble to the bits of prog to the almost country-style harmonies. Some songs take a couple of listens to sink in, but once they do, they'll have fans hailing the Queens. [Sarah Rodman]