Post by The Triple-Six on Jul 28, 2010 13:42:34 GMT -5
Alright, so I just got this album a few days ago and I love it. I've been a fan of STP since I first started listening to music, they're an amazing band and I'd suggest anyone with working ears to give them a listen.
* Credit to CMC for layout idea ;D
Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots Review by Jake_666
STP is back after a 9 year hiatus, releasing a great album with a new sound and attitude. To any fan of the band I would recommend you to go out and buy this album. If not, I would still urge you to either buy it or even download it if you must. For any lover of old school rock mixed in with up beat verses and melodic choruses, this is just the album for you. This album is a true evolution from their first successful album Core that had a lot of distorted guitars and much heavier sounds. But it seems that the band took a different approach here, much more soft but still keeping with STP's lyrical genius and amazing musicians. Another unique fact about this album is that unlike previous albums, most of the music was not composed by lead singer Scott Wieland, instead this time by the DeLeo brothers, Robert and Dean (The bassist and guitarist.)
1. Between the Lines 2:51
A great opening track to the album. Up beat throughout the whole song that accompanies Scott Wieland's new style of vocals, which seem to be a lower volume. Though the music in this song may be great, the lyrics seem a little like an afterthought. But it is still a great song that you can't help but tap your foot and bop your head to the groovy beats.
2. Take a Load Off 3:11
One of my personal favorites. The sound goes back to some of STP's older work like Lady Picture Show and Ride the Cliche. The chorus may appear too frequently, but it somehow never gets old. The catchy sound and excellent solo makes this one of the best songs on the album.
3. Huckleberry Crumble 3:11
An interesting song with an almost country sound. The song itself has an excellent sound and skillful guitar playing. The beat may be simple but it's catchy and it will be stuck in your head in a good way after listening to it. The vocals are a little hard to understand at some points though, being drowned out by the music at some points. Still a great song.
4. Hickory Dichotomy 3:23
This song shares the same country/rock style sound that Huckleberry Crumble has. The song's chorus is quite honestly one of the best of the album. With good lyrics and the vocals not extremely drowned out makes it one you'll be singing to yourself when you're alone. The only problem is that the verse of the song has too much of a country sound and the vocals sound a little more like talking. But the solo and basic sound makes up for it.
5. Dare if you Dare 4:29
A good song to listen to listen to when you feel down. And still great when you're not. It is one of the album's more mellow tracks, but it is still a great song. The chorus is catchy and at the same time uplifting. If you are a fan of melodic choruses and slow verses you might wind up listening to this song a lot.
6. Cinnamon 3:34
An extremely new sound for STP. Unfortunately that's not a good thing. The band has taken a new sound that can be summed up as a mixture of Blink 182 and Rolling Stones. To be honest the two sounds mixed together don't sound as good as you may think. The song sounds the same basically the whole way through except for the chorus that only changes slightly. Not one of the best on the album, but a good song for beach parties I guess.
7. Hazy Daze 2:59
One of my favorites on the album. This song has roots tracing back to some of their best songs like Meatplow. Great musical talent in this song, proven by the intro and amazing solo with Dean DeLeo's guitar playing. The only problem with this song is that Scott's vocals can get whiny at some points but it doesn't affect the song much.
8. Bagman 2:46
This is a decent song with a pretty good verse. But unfortunately the beat for the chorus and intro sounds like something taken from a 70's funk song. The instruments are very skillfully played but Scott's and Dean's vocals whine too much to make up for it.
9. Peacoat 3:30
This song certainly has an style going back to an older album like Purple but it is really slowed down. The heavy sound goes along with the slowed tempo fairly well and the guitar solo is very skillfully done. The chorus is catchy as well is the basic beat of the song. A good song all in all.
10. Fast as I can 3:34
I really like this song. The up-beat tempo and vocals that actually match the sound of the song makes it very enjoyable to listen to. The lyrics are also fairly simple but catchy especially in the chorus. The only problem is Scott's vocal sound, but that is a recurring problem that was put into the whole album.
11. First Kiss on Mars 3:03
Another interesting sounding song. The country/rock/love style merges together fairly well and the "Ooh Ooh" verse of the song can be pretty catchy. The chorus is a good touch on the song that can be stuck in your head for a while. A pretty good song, but nothing special.
12. Maver 4:52
A good ending track. Very soft and slow tempo but it works very well. Scott's vocals become annoying after a while however. The whiny sound should be left out in the next album in my opinion. But you will find yourself rocking your head to the beat of the song and being able to feel the emotion in the song. The piano sneaked into the song was a great touch, adding to the unique new sound STP took to this album. The guitar in this song is excellent and the overall musical talent is great. A great song all in all. Leaves me wanting more.
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Ones To Hear
Between the Line
Take a Load off
Huckleberry Crumble
Hickory Dichotomy
Hazy Daze
Maver
Ones To Miss
Cinammon
Bagman
All in all I give this album a 3 ½ star rating.