A Wild Rock and Roll Ride
“I’m a rock and roll outlaw/ I’ve never needed anyone.” Anyone who knows Nick Oliveri’s controversial history can attest to the truth in the chorus of the first song off of Oliveri’s newest album N.O. Hits At All Vol. 3. This album is the third in a compilation series that Oliveri has been working on the past year, and it definitely lives up to the former Queens of the Stone Age band member’s repertoire.
In each compilation, Oliveri provides lead vocals, but every song is by different groups that he’s sung with. Vol. 3 features Royale Daemons, Dwarves, He Who Can’t Be Named, Kyuss Lives, Plan B and Melissa Auf Der Maur’s Hand of Doom. Coming together, each of the exhilarating songs on this album creates something fun and well worth a listen.
“RNR Outlaw” is the first song off of the album, and it definitely characterizes the wild ride and the listener has ahead. Starting off like any country rock song, the lyrics, as mentioned before, emphasize Oliveri’s attraction to chaos. Being fired from Queens of the Stone Age, having a standoff with a SWAT team, and once attempting to perform nude in Brazil, Oliveri is absolutely an outlaw for better or for worse. The next song on the album “Luv is Fiction” is more traditional rock, Oliveri’s voice coming out scratchy but rhythmic, expressing his scorned view on love through the style of the song almost as much as through the lyrics.
“Medication” has an early ’90s feel to it and the guitar in it is spectacular, easily giving the third song on the album the ability to be a radio hit. The eerie speaking portion regarding psychotics is unsettling, but also serves a deeper purpose, speaking to the use of medication in today’s world. The fourth song “Kyuss Dies” takes a lighter tone, simply due to the fact that it’s a play on the band’s name “Kyuss Lives.” Though not the best song on the album, it provides further variety to the already eclectic compilation and continues to highlight Oliveri’s incredibly talented vocals.
The last two songs on the album, “Country as Fuck” and “The Mob Rules” are easily two of the most energetic songs off N.O. Hits At All Vol. 3. “Country as Fuck” has a parody vibe to it in its lyrics. “I’m country, country as fuck / my neck is red / so is my truck / I got no license / can’t pass the test.” Though the lyrics definitely feed into problematic stereotypes, it’s a song that seems to make fun of itself, as if Oliveri is more self-aware than the song lets on. “The Mob Rules” feels much like a continuation of the last song, as the music is similar, and it contains the same fast-paced excitement. It’s a great way to finish off the short album, with Oliveri’s screams making the song some memorable for any listener.
Whether one is a fan of Nick Oliveri or not, it’s hard to deny the brilliance of N.O. Hits At All Vol. 3. It’s a great addition to Oliveri’s compilation series, and each song feels like it comes off of a road trip playlist. Despite his controversial status, Oliveri is a truly talented artist, and this album highlights all of his talents perfectly.
Leave a Comment