Death Acoustic

Former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri continues his punkish pranks with 2009’s Death Acoustic. “Acoustic” is a manner of speaking. Yes, he’s technically playing an acoustic guitar, but it’s one equipped with an electric pick-up and it’s plugged into the soundboard and then overdriven to the point of distortion (“Start a Fight”) or for a warm burn (“Dairy Queen”). This all contributes to the concept that Oliveri is a deranged country singer  — or in moments a power pop singer — who’s found his hardcore punk soul. The G.G. Allin cover, “Outlaw Scumfuc,” completes the picture at album’s end, but getting there is a tense, nasty trip through the old Queens tune “Gonna Leave You” and the pop stylings of the Misfits track “Hybrid Moments.” The Kyuss track “Love Has Passed Me By” sounds great in this quieter context, while the Moistboyz’ “U Blow” finds Oliveri’s taking this complete derangement of the senses to its amp burning conclusion.