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Sure, there are rockable moments, but they're largely saved for the two encores. By the time the perfectly fiery "Go with the Flow" and the wonderfully cowbell-driven "Little Sister" happen, it's an enormous relief just to hear the band pick up the pace a bit. Another encore highlight comes when an audience member requests "Burn the Witch" and actually gets it -- we're glad she did.
Ultimately then, this is a patchy evening. It's solid musicianship, delivered with few surprises. It's mostly good -- some great -- songs, delivered by men who are too laid-back to blow our hair back. It's a celebration of intoxication, rather than a band truly engaging with an audience. Oh, and the sporadic tendency to descend into self-indulgent guitar wankery remains unnecessary.
Yes, Josh Homme is still so cool. And Queens is an undoubtedly impressive band. But are they truly engaging tonight? Only sometimes. And that's just not enough. Critic's Notebook:Fun Exchange of the Evening:
Josh Homme: "Remember a few years ago when Judas Priest got sued for writing a song that someone said made them want to kill themselves?"
Crowd member: "Yeah! That was awesome!"
Josh Homme: "I thought it was bullshit. Judas Priest could never write a song that made you want to do that. Milli Vanilli maybe, but not Judas Priest ... "
