http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8330/photo26c.jpghttp://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6258/photo25g.jpghttp://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3408/photo24a.jpghttp://img203.imageshack.us/img203/460/photo23z.jpgNotes:
*This is the American deluxe version of the album - the cover is red and gold - looks very cool.
*The sticker (that usually mentions singles) says: "Featuring: Between The Lines, Hickory Dichotomy, Cinnamon & Maver" - so it looks like they're gonna be the focus tracks. Which makes sense - as they're all very first listen friendly and great songs.
*There's a booklet - with full lyrics and a lot of cool little photos in the middle. The single band shots in the booklet are from the 2nd Houdini mansion photo shot that's being used for everything lately. There's one of each member in each part of the booklet - as a screen print-esque image - in the style of Shepard Fairey's 'Obama' portraits.
*'Samba Nova' is a slightly different mix (starting with just acoustic guitar and vocals) - and the vocal take is a more confident sounding alternate one.
*One thing for nerds like me - is that where it once said - Lyrics: Scott Weiland - it now says: Words & Melodies: Scott Weiland.
*The live recordings are recorded really well and sound amazing.
*Standouts on the first 2 listens for me (and I'm a big psychadelic/trippy STP fan - are: Dare If You Dare (which sounds a lot like a band from the early 90's called 'Jellyfish' - particularly their 'Spilt Milk' Record), Cinnamon (which will be a big hit for them I think), First Kiss On Mars, Hazy Daze, Hickory Dichotomy (not a new revelation - but i still think it's cool, quirky and jangly), First Kiss On Mars & Maver.
*I'd give it a 4/5 at this stage.
*The production sound makes a lot more sense when listen to the whole record - really clean sounding - but big! Which is what Chris Lord-Alge is renowned for.
That's all at this stage.
