Between The Lines: Ok, I'm sure all the STP fans i know have heard the single by now and let's face it. It's STP. This is exactly the kind of thing I'd expect as a leading single off an album from them. Like Sex Type Thing, Vasoline, Big Bang Baby, Down, and Days of the Week, the other leading singles of each album, this song emulates that classic STP signature Pop driven kickin rock tune. Sure they are almost never the best songs on the albums by any means, but a strong opening.
8/10
Take A Load Off: Arguably the best song on the album. This song is why Stone Temple Pilots are awesome. They have that signature sound of just out of this world rock n roll. It's trippy, but rockin. The chorus is epic and in your face and the verses have this awesome flow that keeps your head in a bob motion. Contagious and easily a song that anyone who knows anything about this band and how good they can be will be like "yeah thats Stone Temple Pilots isn't it"
10/10
Huckleberry Crumble: This song kind of reminds me of Aerosmith without all the high pitched screeching. It's straight rock n roll, sounds like something that would be played at a football game really. But in true STP fashion, there's always a curve ball thrown at their simplistic songs to make them interesting. The bridge sort of changes the entire concept of the song and adds their signature style of euphoric music into their songs. However, without the bridge this would otherwise be a very boring song.
7.5/10
Hickory Dichotomy: This song is kind of like what would happen if Interstate Love Song was turned into a crazy carnival song on a carousel where weird sea creatures are what you ride on. If it were any other band, this would make absolutely no sense, but for Stone Temple Pilots it's incredible. This is another one that is in the running for the best song on the album. The bass in the verses is pretty sick too. Good crack at the music industry.
10/10
Dare if You Dare: It sounds very beatles like. It's really good though. Some really nice bass playing in the chorus. Chorus is very epic. Weiland sounds very strong as well. The bridge brings back the beatles like feel. It has a huge resemblance to Luck in the Sky with Diamonds through most of the song, except the chorus which kind of reminds me of a lot of the choruses in the Velvet Revolver Contraband era. Still something seems awkward about it.
8/10 (might be higher, might be lower, but i'll settle with that for now)
Cinnamon: An obvious love song about Scott Weiland and his ex wife Mary Forsberg. It's a delicious Pop Psychedelic track that sounds like it was pulled from their Tiny Music sessions. I will say it's a bit cheasy, but STP has a knack for making cheasy seem cool. I mean Sour Girl would be just silly if it weren't for Weiland's clean, high, but not ridiculously boyish voice.
9.5/10
Hazy Daze: Well if you're a nerd like me and get confused by the first two notes of this song, you might say it was Silvergun Superman from Purple, but thankfully it's not. This is another one of those songs on this album that shows that STP is still STP. It sort of combines elements of Core and their later album together. Anyone who knows some STP will have a good idea of what this song sounds like. Its a good rock tune.
8/10
Bagman:....... oh boy.... i've been waiting a long time to say this. Scott.... Eric.... Robert.... Dean..... WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING. This is garbage. This makes between the lines look like Beethoven. The bridge is almost redeeming, but this song is just so boring that i don't know what to say. Leave the mediocre rock anthems to KISS please. Ps. This is the first time i can say i honestly don't like a Stone Temple Pilots song. THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.
2/10
Peacoat: This song was a late bloomer. At first thought this song was bad, but really it has some really cool elements. The heavy distorted bass in this song is something i've never heard in a STP song and I find it bold of Rob Deleo to give it a try. The the lyrics are also very good. It's uncomfortably enjoyable.
7/10
Fast as I Can: This reminds me a bit of some of Velvet Revolvers material off of libertad. It's not really bad, but it's just not really good for STP. The guitar sounds pretty straight dean deleo which is always refreshing. Just think it would've been better with Velvet Revolver
5/10
First Kiss On Mars: Another soft sort of psychedelic pop song. Again delicious! haha. Very Bowie, which Weiland is very good at, but still puts his own twist on it. As with a lot of the songs on this album they reflect his solo album... which sort of is a bad analogy since nobody owns it except for me and my friends hahaha. This sort of has that country vibe that STP kind of explored on Purple. The solo on this track is very good and reminds me why I love Dean Deleo.
9/10
Maver: This is the "Atlanta" or the "Kitchenware and Candy Bars" of the album. The epic last song. Again Weiland puts his bowie shoes, but still keeps his own thing going. This song also again has a sort of country feel. For STP it definitely fits well. As epic as this is, it doesn't quite live up to the "last song" standards for STP. However, this song brings good closure to their first effort in 9 years. Well done gentlemen. This may be your worst album in comparison, but if this is your worst..... then i'm not complaining!
9/10
I'll have the bonus track reviews pretty soon after the full album gets released.
Pros:
+ This is Stone Temple Pilots. If you like Stone Temple Pilots you will enjoy this album
+ Strong radio ready tunes that can bring STP back to their former glory without sounding uninteresting or like some shitty cock-rock group.
+ Definitely some of Dean Deleos strongest guitar work. The solos are ripping on this album.
+ Something for everyone. the rockers, indie nerds, and the stoners can all find something enjoyable on this album.
+ Strongest tracks: Take a Load Off, Hickory Dichotomy, Cinnamon, First Kiss on Mars, and Maver
Cons:
- Maybe a little too much on the guitar. I'm missing the straight rock n roll, almost punk song that is usually present on each album.
- Way lacking on the bass. While some tracks have some good bass, Rob Deleo can play some mean basslines and none were present on this album
- It's aged. It's taking its toll on Weiland and any hope of us truly getting a 100% STP future release is seemingly lost.
Overall: Give the album a solid 8.5/10. a pretty highly above average effort compared with most rock music coming out.
