Review Summary: STP returns after nine years to release a refreshing new album which hearkens back to 60s psychedelic rock and 70s glam rock, while keeping the sound modern at the same time. Worth more than just one listen.
Stone Temple Pilots by Stone Temple Pilots
They're back! After nine long years, STP is finally here with new material. Released on March 25th in the U.S., the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. "First time you hear it, you smile, and just go, 'Oh, this one's gonna be fun'." Great choice of words by drummer Eric Kretz. Because that is exactly what this album is. Fun.
Track 1. "Between The Lines"
With music that reminds you of The Animals and The Zombies, and lyrics reminiscient to Bob Dylan, this song was obviously written with 60s pop/rock in mind. Dean DeLeo added, "Most bands do a retro thing and apologize for it. We’re unapologetically retro here." The Nirvana tribute from 1:30-1:45, though unoriginal, fits the song appropriately and blends with the rhythm. 4.5/5
Track 2. "Take A load Off"
The guitar in this song sounds like it's fresh from Jimmy Page, and Scott did a good job of making the lyrics not too self-obsessed. This song is an impressive blend of a tuneful melody and impressive vocals from Scott, along with a psychedelic guitar solo. It's short at 3:12, and the cut-off makes you long for more. Luckily, you're only on track 2. 4/5
Track 3. "Huckleberry Crumble"
This song is instantly impressing, and in my opinion, the best on the album. It immediately strikes you as a blend of "Rag Doll" and "Same Old Song And Dance" by Aerosmith. "The arrangement is almost the same: riff, solo, verse, chorus, solo...it's pretty much the same setup," admits Dean. Anyways, this is an instant STP classic. It should be on concert playlists for a long time to come. 5/5
Track 4. "Hickory Dichotomy"
Another song that reminds me of the STP of old, this song is a country rock song inspired by Speedy West, with a guitar slide solo influenced by Jimmy Page. Dean summarized the song succinctly: "Basically, it’s a country song presented in a rock format. We seem to be able to do that without really trying." Weiland said the song gave him a "Down South" and "swampy kind of feeling." 5/5
Track 5. "Dare If You Dare"
The guitar on this song is astounding and complicated, and Scott's vocals are impressing. The chorus immediately knocks you off your feet, and it was obviously written with "All The Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople and "Hey Jude" by The Beatles in mind. Every time you listen to this song, you're hearing something special. It's as if it's channeling late-60s, early-70s glam rock. 4/5
Track 6. "Cinnamon"
An upbeat and light-hearted pop/rock song, this song rocks in its own right. Weiland considered the song to be a combination of '60s British pop and Ian Curtis (of Joy Division). When asked who the lyrics were directed at, Weiland replied, "I guess I was thinking, probably, about my ex-wife." This song definitely has the late-60s psychedelic feeling to it. 2.5/5
Track 7. "Hazy Daze"
While the song is rocking and upbeat, the lyrics deal with the dark issue of a troubled relationship between Scott and his father, which ultimately led to his history of drug abuse. Dean described the song as lyrically unhappy. But other than that, this song is another inspired by David Bowie, and also incorporates a little bit of Jane's Addiction in the music and chorus. 4.5/5
Track 8. "Bagman"
Dean explained, "It’s about Scott’s dealings with certain people and, well, it can get pretty dark and bleak out there sometimes." Dean described performing the guitar as "painting with these bright colors," but considered the lyric/music dichotomy to be the "yin-yang thing in the band". The chorus-line sounds very much like "Tax Man" by The Beatles, again reflecting 60s pop/rock. 3.5/5
Track 9. "Peacoat"
This is a song you can't get out of your head. This song is very reflective of the Purple and Tiny Music albums, and is a throwback to 90s Stone Temple Pilots. Despite Scott's strong vocals, Weiland surprisingly had second thoughts about including this on the album. Like many songs on the album, it just ends too soon. The track's raunchy guitar riffs will grow on you. 3/5
Track 10. "Fast As I Can"
This is easily the fastest song on the album; hence the name. The song very much reminds me of a Rubber Soul-era
Beatles song on steroids. Though this song kicks can in its own right, fast doesn't exactly describe what people think of about STP (see: "Creep", "Big Empty", "Plush", "Interstate Love Song"). But in time, it'll be a favorite. 4.5/5
Track 11. "First Kiss On Mars"
This song has a down-home country kind of feel, and Scott's vocals will make you wonder if he got David Bowie to sing a cameo. The tune sounds like "China Girl" met "Ashes To Ashes" when you listen to it hard enough. The track is yet another homage to the glam rock of the 70s, and it's a good transition from "Fast As I Can" to the serene and blissful "Maver". 3/5
Track 12. "Maver"
Weiland used the song to tell a story of a girl who headed to San Francisco to be a star and ended up betting all her money on the ponies. Dean found the song to have a "country-gospel vibe" and described the music as having two distinctive sonic layers. While the bass and drums are very distorted, the rest of the song is very beautiful and ethereal. And the piano is great. 4.5/5
Track 13. "Samba Nova" (Deluxe Edition)
This song makes you do a double take - is this really the Stone Temple Pilots? Yes, it is! The track is very slow and the acoustic guitar and soft drums make this a very good song to unwind to after a long hard day. It has a very sensual vibe and it is a great song to relax to. Resembles "Beautiful Day" from Scott Weiland's second solo album, "Happy" In Galoshes. Worth the money. 4.5/5
Choice Cuts
If you could only buy two songs on this album, I would suggest track 3 ("Huckleberry Crumble") and track 4 ("Hickory Dichotomy") because they sound like classic Stone Temple Pilots songs of the 90s. Track 1 ("Between The Lines"), track 7 ("Hazy Daze"), track 10 ("Fast As I Can"), track 12 ("Maver") and track 13 ("Samba Nova") reflect the matured, transitioning STP sound.
Overall
When you put this album in the broiler and boil it to its roots, you will find three genres - country, rhythm and blues - sitting at the bottom of the fryer. Those are the genres that created rock and roll, and this album is based on those roots. Everything about this album - from the peace sign on the album cover to the pop/rock inspired music - is influenced by the 60s. What an album! 3.5/5
