Stone Temple Pilots

    Having such success in the early nineties must have worn them out, not that they could not continue to produce quality albums in the second half of the nineties or their only release in the aughts, but they needed a break from each other, or at least Scott Weiland. I’m pretty sure the majority of you know it, so I won’t bother; especially considering that I know of it, just not a lot about it. Anyways, Scott went on to front Velvet Revolver, the super group featuring the majority of the Guns, but Rose isn’t present; two great records they made, and the longest you had to wait was only 3 years! However, I felt that the collabo between the DeLeo Bros, Ray Luzier and  Richard Patrick was more appealing to me. Working on these projects and taking a break from their respective bands revitalized their muse. Taking more cues from Classic –Rock Heroes.                                                                                                                                                                                    If you read “Between The Lines” you will see that maybe hallucinogens were habitual.  If you fear offending the Beatles , then you can at least enjoy the Oasis; full of intriguing visuals and words. I am trying to figure out what this next song is about, racking my brain, but I just cannot figure it out. Maybe I just need to "Take A Load Off," it’s just a great song to get hi..mean chill to. Someone mentioned that this slice of “Huckleberry Crumble” is a hardier homage to 70’s Aerosmith than the band themselves have managed to come up with, and I really cannot disagree (that I hear 70’s era Aerosmith in this song, but I believe that they have managed to still produce some quality albums since their “heyday”). There is an absolute country, or southern rock influence apparent when researching this “Hickory Dichotomy.” I think of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but I do not think it is because of the sound; I do feel like I am somewhere in a swamp though. The next song urges you to “Dare if You Dare” to be real, something, or something real; possibly someone better, or to follow your dreams. We all know how bitter or acrid “Cinnamon” can be when it is by itself, because of the whole challenge, but when placed with sweet and sappy lyrics like these within a compositional oasis (and the vocals, c’mon); it’s easier on the tongue (and ears). This may recall Weiland’s “Hazy Daze” which may not be as far away as many hope, but just enjoy the funky riffage! As for the lyrics, there are some gems, but just “How much did you get for selling out my name?”. I will try to write this review as “Fast As I Can,” while trying to keep a pretty passable quality. Speaking of which, the guys keep the sound classy even playing at a quicker pace than anything else present on the album. The lyrics are contradictive with its peppy sound; either a relapse or a flashback. When pain comes running, Weiland runs faster to the liquor store to drown his sorrows, and then drink some more. Oh, and if you think I was disrespecting Weiland intentionally, you’re wrong! Does anyone think that the “First Kiss On Mars” may help us catch that runaway train? The song is hookier, no doubt, and has that synth as well as “super magic robots…” Bowie? “Maver” is a traveling vagabond with a dream “And a fool hearted head of hope/Well she landed in a flat/With some fellas that were lucky to meet her/'Cause she could play the six-string better than” male roosters. My Favorites: Between The Lines, Take A Load Off, Hickory Dichotomy, Dare if  You Dare, Hazy Daze, Fast as I Can, and First Kiss on Mars.