Stone Temple Pilots

This 2010 eponymous release is the hard rock band’s first in nearly a decade. Between Scott Weiland’s drug problems, arrests, and the formation of Velvet Revolver, it’s an unlikely comeback, though “triumphant return” would be greatly overstating the case.

Even in their 1990s heyday, Stone Temple Pilots played second fiddle to the bands they imitated (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, etc.). This isn’t to say that STP is to grunge what Great White is to Led Zeppelin, but rather that for as good as they played on “Plush” and “Sex Type Thing,” no one would confuse them for innovators. That’s as true of the band now as it was 15 years ago. The new album is energetic and features a number of catchy songs. “Between the Lines” seems destined for heavy radio airplay, though the thumping, hard-charging “Huckleberry Crumble” may be the album’s standout piece. In stark contrast to a number of other disappointing “reunion” albums, it’s clear that the time apart hasn’t diminished the band’s skills.


Unfortunately, there’s little here that’s transcendent. Dean DeLeo is a competent guitarist, albeit not a very imaginative one, and Weiland’s voice begins to grow tiresome after repeated listening. Though there’s credit to be given for sonic diversity, the album’s shift toward tripped-out pop about midway through sounds like a loss of momentum. Lyrically, there are some real duds. Weiland’s revelation on “Between the Lines” - “You always were my favorite drug/even when we used to take drugs” - isn’t exactly a James Hetfield/confront-the-demons moment and “Dare to dare if you dare” practically writes its own jokes.


Rampant mediocrity aside, Stone Temple Pilots is worth a listen for several reasons: it’s not actively terrible, it’ll give you hope that your favorite defunct band may one day reunite and return to form (I’m looking at you, SOAD), and it’s imitative tendencies could turn you on to the music of better bands that it borrowed from.


7/10