"High Rise" Poll & Reviews

[ShaneC]

^^^
 
"But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy"
 
Didn't Scott just finish that exact tour with the WillyKnobs?

Can't compare Scott solo to STP.  Not even the same ball game / motivations.  Did you attend a Scott solo show?

NO, I kinda like to see concerts start within 3 hours of my arrival time.
I've seen videos for both bands, and Scott is a mess on alot of his, but there are a few good perormances.

However, both bands ARE just doing the hits for the most part.

[StoneTempleBrett]

Rolling Stone review:

2 out of 5 stars

Beyond replacing Scott Weiland with a moonlighting Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, this EP - STP's skimpy return after three years - doesn't take chances.  All five songs check in between 3:15 and 3:32, and they're all midtempo.  "Black Heart" and "Cry Cry" at least manage a moderately garage-y, vaguely AC/DC-like boogie stomp, and Dean Deleo sneaks in passably rustic guitar fills here and there.  But the bright power-glam bounce that the band often achieved behind Weiland is missing.  And closing with a dreary number called "Tomorrow" was a lapse in judgement - in the realm of fake grunge, Silverchair own that title forever.

Ouch! Not that they were ever kind to STP, but damn.

Rolling Stone actually praised self-titled (which got good reviews in general), acknowledging STP's legacy a bit and that they were wrong in the past in a sense by doing that.  This is a different band now though without Scott (despite keeping the name) so they won't receive any goodwill based on their legacy from publications like Rolling Stone.  It's not the DeLeos/Kretz's fault, but with Scott gone they lose the respect that 'legacy' acts like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam get, and that STP themselves got in the first 2-3 years of their reunion.

I'm starting to think that they'll need a full album for this endeavor to work commercially, because without it they won't draw in enough new fans/Linkin Park fans.  Because what interest would a modern radio rock fan have in seeing Chester sing a bunch of songs from 20 years ago that he didn't write and just a few new ones?  They need to make a hit album, and perform several new songs like past supergroups (Velvet Revolver/Audioslave).  The only way to make it viable is based on new material/almost being reborn as a new band.  Being a nostalgia act doesn't work as well when you don't have all of the principle members.  They need new fans to replace the long time STP fans that have been lost with the switch and from Scott's poor performances in 2011-2012.  Otherwise the only fanbase you have is what's left of the STP fanbase and die hard Chester/Linkin Park fans who will follow any of his projects.

No shit........Several us have been saying this for months.  Unfortunately, a full album will not save them.  There was no win here.  They should've started a new band instead of damaging STPs name.  People respected Scott's unpredictability.  Yes, even with the wildabouts.  You were too short sighted to see it.  The play was to start a new band w/ Chester and re ignite STP in a few years with Scott.  Everything else is just noise....... 

Barely anybody respects Scott right now, and his antics got old when his performances went downhill drastically in the last couple of years and prevented him from recording with them.  His unpredictability is a key ingredient to STP, but showing up late and drunk and slurring his way through his hits hurt them (and Scott himself) big time.  That's not 'rock and roll,' it's just depressing.

I do wish in hindsight that they'd used a new name with Chester, but I can't fault them for using it.  It's the brand they've spent over 20 years of their lives building.  It's not their fault Scott was completely unprofessional.  But I think the best idea regardless of the name is a full album, I don't see how they're going to gain fans releasing a few songs at a time and playing 95% old songs.  Playing mostly old songs and being a legacy act just doesn't work as well commercially without the original members.

You don't respect Scott.  There's lots of love and respect for Scott out there.  Read the reviews pal.  Most people know Scott is from another planet.  And he'll continue to get chances cause he's so talented.  And if he's creatively motivated he's money.  But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy.  The problem as I see is that the Deleos mistakenly think they can half ass it because of STPs catalog.  Putting out mediocre EPs with Chester when they should be working their ass off.  Listen to Corgan or T Reznor, hell even S Weiland.  These guys ache to create and push boundaries to not become nostalgia but the Deleos want to stay comfortable and they have since the reunion.  Super frustrating.....             

For Some reason the Deleos think they don't need Brendan o Brien, they can do things w/out S Weiland.  It's false.  But they're going to have to fall on their faces AGAIN to realize.  Atleast I hope they realize.

The reviews are shit.  Scott ran out of chances with both Velvet Revolver and STP, and the only boundaries he's pushing is seeing how small his audiences will get if he keeps showing up late.  He is motivated by money right now, that's it.  He hasn't released any new material in 3 and a half years.  Scott's solo shows are as stuck in the 90's as STP shows.  The difference is STP show up on time and put on professional performances.  Scott's great when he's on but he's been a shell of himself since he relapsed again in early 2011.

[StoneTempleBrett]

It's very sad reading the last few pages of Scott's book, written at the tail end of 2010 I believe.  He had been sober for a couple months and talked about counting one day at a time, hoping he would be sober by the time the book came out.

"For years I've known goddamn well that I'm a drunk, but who wants to admit that?  After kicking the strong stuff, why couldn't I have a little drink now and then?  What harm was there in a small indulgence?  The answer was serious harm- potentially fatal harm.  For me, putting a drink in my mouth is something like putting a lead blanket over my heart.  There's been so much pain in the past few years that I'm afraid to feel, or commit.  I pray that this will end.  I don't want to be alone anymore.  I want to be able to love again.  The dream of every drunk- to be able to manage their drinking- is one that has died hard for me.  My prayer is that, once and for all, that dream is good and dead.  So I'm back to counting days.  It's nearly two months since I've had a drink.  By the time you read this book, my hope is that it will be six months."

I just don't see how anybody can think Scott is okay right now when reading Scott himself write that.  The alcohol is just controlling him and clouding his judgment, unfortunately.  It's a powerful drug that I've witnessed first hand kill someone I love.

[RhettButler]

Pretty weak review from Rolling Stone. No real critique, just whining that they aren't doing anything terribly new. I like RS to a point but I take their reviews with a grain of salt. They gave that snoozefest Vampire Weekend CD 4.5 stars for example.   "Tomorrow" hardly sounds grunge-esque at all, btw. What was the reviewer talking about?


HR is NOT a 2/5 album. The AMG got it right. 3.5/5 is fair, although I'd give it a 4/5.

[Chris Pepper]

Rolling Stone review:

2 out of 5 stars

Beyond replacing Scott Weiland with a moonlighting Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, this EP - STP's skimpy return after three years - doesn't take chances.  All five songs check in between 3:15 and 3:32, and they're all midtempo.  "Black Heart" and "Cry Cry" at least manage a moderately garage-y, vaguely AC/DC-like boogie stomp, and Dean Deleo sneaks in passably rustic guitar fills here and there.  But the bright power-glam bounce that the band often achieved behind Weiland is missing.  And closing with a dreary number called "Tomorrow" was a lapse in judgement - in the realm of fake grunge, Silverchair own that title forever.

Ouch! Not that they were ever kind to STP, but damn.

Rolling Stone actually praised self-titled (which got good reviews in general), acknowledging STP's legacy a bit and that they were wrong in the past in a sense by doing that.  This is a different band now though without Scott (despite keeping the name) so they won't receive any goodwill based on their legacy from publications like Rolling Stone.  It's not the DeLeos/Kretz's fault, but with Scott gone they lose the respect that 'legacy' acts like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam get, and that STP themselves got in the first 2-3 years of their reunion.

I'm starting to think that they'll need a full album for this endeavor to work commercially, because without it they won't draw in enough new fans/Linkin Park fans.  Because what interest would a modern radio rock fan have in seeing Chester sing a bunch of songs from 20 years ago that he didn't write and just a few new ones?  They need to make a hit album, and perform several new songs like past supergroups (Velvet Revolver/Audioslave).  The only way to make it viable is based on new material/almost being reborn as a new band.  Being a nostalgia act doesn't work as well when you don't have all of the principle members.  They need new fans to replace the long time STP fans that have been lost with the switch and from Scott's poor performances in 2011-2012.  Otherwise the only fanbase you have is what's left of the STP fanbase and die hard Chester/Linkin Park fans who will follow any of his projects.

No shit........Several us have been saying this for months.  Unfortunately, a full album will not save them.  There was no win here.  They should've started a new band instead of damaging STPs name.  People respected Scott's unpredictability.  Yes, even with the wildabouts.  You were too short sighted to see it.  The play was to start a new band w/ Chester and re ignite STP in a few years with Scott.  Everything else is just noise....... 

Barely anybody respects Scott right now, and his antics got old when his performances went downhill drastically in the last couple of years and prevented him from recording with them.  His unpredictability is a key ingredient to STP, but showing up late and drunk and slurring his way through his hits hurt them (and Scott himself) big time.  That's not 'rock and roll,' it's just depressing.

I do wish in hindsight that they'd used a new name with Chester, but I can't fault them for using it.  It's the brand they've spent over 20 years of their lives building.  It's not their fault Scott was completely unprofessional.  But I think the best idea regardless of the name is a full album, I don't see how they're going to gain fans releasing a few songs at a time and playing 95% old songs.  Playing mostly old songs and being a legacy act just doesn't work as well commercially without the original members.

You don't respect Scott.  There's lots of love and respect for Scott out there.  Read the reviews pal.  Most people know Scott is from another planet.  And he'll continue to get chances cause he's so talented.  And if he's creatively motivated he's money.  But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy.  The problem as I see is that the Deleos mistakenly think they can half ass it because of STPs catalog.  Putting out mediocre EPs with Chester when they should be working their ass off.  Listen to Corgan or T Reznor, hell even S Weiland.  These guys ache to create and push boundaries to not become nostalgia but the Deleos want to stay comfortable and they have since the reunion.  Super frustrating.....             

For Some reason the Deleos think they don't need Brendan o Brien, they can do things w/out S Weiland.  It's false.  But they're going to have to fall on their faces AGAIN to realize.  Atleast I hope they realize.

The reviews are shit.  Scott ran out of chances with both Velvet Revolver and STP, and the only boundaries he's pushing is seeing how small his audiences will get if he keeps showing up late.  He is motivated by money right now, that's it.  He hasn't released any new material in 3 and a half years.  Scott's solo shows are as stuck in the 90's as STP shows.  The difference is STP show up on time and put on professional performances.  Scott's great when he's on but he's been a shell of himself since he relapsed again in early 2011.

By reviews I mean those that compare STPw/CB with the mentions of Scott and what he brings ie the Rolling Stone review.  Plus, there's lots of fans and critics that want Scott.  And not all of the reviews have been shit, just read the Camp Freddy review from "this weekend" where it said he killed.   

[Chris Pepper]

^^^
 
"But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy"
 
Didn't Scott just finish that exact tour with the WillyKnobs?

Can't compare Scott solo to STP.  Not even the same ball game / motivations.  Did you attend a Scott solo show?

NO, I kinda like to see concerts start within 3 hours of my arrival time.
I've seen videos for both bands, and Scott is a mess on alot of his, but there are a few good perormances.

However, both bands ARE just doing the hits for the most part.

Ahh the video critic.  Not speaking from the same context then.  Not a discount, just a different perspective. 

[ShaneC]

^^^
 
"But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy"
 
Didn't Scott just finish that exact tour with the WillyKnobs?

Can't compare Scott solo to STP.  Not even the same ball game / motivations.  Did you attend a Scott solo show?

NO, I kinda like to see concerts start within 3 hours of my arrival time.
I've seen videos for both bands, and Scott is a mess on alot of his, but there are a few good perormances.

However, both bands ARE just doing the hits for the most part.

Ahh the video critic.  Not speaking from the same context then.  Not a discount, just a different perspective. 

The videos also show that both bands play pretty much only the hits. Not sure how we got onto a comparison of the 2 singers. Scott, when he's healthy, is miles ahead of most singers, IMO.

My initial response was for the comment about Scott not being the guy that plays greatest hits at small venues. Except that is exactly what he does.

[StoneTempleBrett]

Rolling Stone review:

2 out of 5 stars

Beyond replacing Scott Weiland with a moonlighting Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, this EP - STP's skimpy return after three years - doesn't take chances.  All five songs check in between 3:15 and 3:32, and they're all midtempo.  "Black Heart" and "Cry Cry" at least manage a moderately garage-y, vaguely AC/DC-like boogie stomp, and Dean Deleo sneaks in passably rustic guitar fills here and there.  But the bright power-glam bounce that the band often achieved behind Weiland is missing.  And closing with a dreary number called "Tomorrow" was a lapse in judgement - in the realm of fake grunge, Silverchair own that title forever.

Ouch! Not that they were ever kind to STP, but damn.

Rolling Stone actually praised self-titled (which got good reviews in general), acknowledging STP's legacy a bit and that they were wrong in the past in a sense by doing that.  This is a different band now though without Scott (despite keeping the name) so they won't receive any goodwill based on their legacy from publications like Rolling Stone.  It's not the DeLeos/Kretz's fault, but with Scott gone they lose the respect that 'legacy' acts like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam get, and that STP themselves got in the first 2-3 years of their reunion.

I'm starting to think that they'll need a full album for this endeavor to work commercially, because without it they won't draw in enough new fans/Linkin Park fans.  Because what interest would a modern radio rock fan have in seeing Chester sing a bunch of songs from 20 years ago that he didn't write and just a few new ones?  They need to make a hit album, and perform several new songs like past supergroups (Velvet Revolver/Audioslave).  The only way to make it viable is based on new material/almost being reborn as a new band.  Being a nostalgia act doesn't work as well when you don't have all of the principle members.  They need new fans to replace the long time STP fans that have been lost with the switch and from Scott's poor performances in 2011-2012.  Otherwise the only fanbase you have is what's left of the STP fanbase and die hard Chester/Linkin Park fans who will follow any of his projects.

No shit........Several us have been saying this for months.  Unfortunately, a full album will not save them.  There was no win here.  They should've started a new band instead of damaging STPs name.  People respected Scott's unpredictability.  Yes, even with the wildabouts.  You were too short sighted to see it.  The play was to start a new band w/ Chester and re ignite STP in a few years with Scott.  Everything else is just noise....... 

Barely anybody respects Scott right now, and his antics got old when his performances went downhill drastically in the last couple of years and prevented him from recording with them.  His unpredictability is a key ingredient to STP, but showing up late and drunk and slurring his way through his hits hurt them (and Scott himself) big time.  That's not 'rock and roll,' it's just depressing.

I do wish in hindsight that they'd used a new name with Chester, but I can't fault them for using it.  It's the brand they've spent over 20 years of their lives building.  It's not their fault Scott was completely unprofessional.  But I think the best idea regardless of the name is a full album, I don't see how they're going to gain fans releasing a few songs at a time and playing 95% old songs.  Playing mostly old songs and being a legacy act just doesn't work as well commercially without the original members.

You don't respect Scott.  There's lots of love and respect for Scott out there.  Read the reviews pal.  Most people know Scott is from another planet.  And he'll continue to get chances cause he's so talented.  And if he's creatively motivated he's money.  But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy.  The problem as I see is that the Deleos mistakenly think they can half ass it because of STPs catalog.  Putting out mediocre EPs with Chester when they should be working their ass off.  Listen to Corgan or T Reznor, hell even S Weiland.  These guys ache to create and push boundaries to not become nostalgia but the Deleos want to stay comfortable and they have since the reunion.  Super frustrating.....             

For Some reason the Deleos think they don't need Brendan o Brien, they can do things w/out S Weiland.  It's false.  But they're going to have to fall on their faces AGAIN to realize.  Atleast I hope they realize.

The reviews are shit.  Scott ran out of chances with both Velvet Revolver and STP, and the only boundaries he's pushing is seeing how small his audiences will get if he keeps showing up late.  He is motivated by money right now, that's it.  He hasn't released any new material in 3 and a half years.  Scott's solo shows are as stuck in the 90's as STP shows.  The difference is STP show up on time and put on professional performances.  Scott's great when he's on but he's been a shell of himself since he relapsed again in early 2011.

By reviews I mean those that compare STPw/CB with the mentions of Scott and what he brings ie the Rolling Stone review.  Plus, there's lots of fans and critics that want Scott.  And not all of the reviews have been shit, just read the Camp Freddy review from "this weekend" where it said he killed.   

Scott's in a bad place right now and a drunk Scott in STP would still mean Scott would be battling his problems, and the DeLeos/Kretz would have to be suffering through it as well.  Read what Scott himself said in 2010 in his book, drinking is not good for him and it seems to have progressively gotten worse.  The minute Scott gets sober I'll be one of the biggest proponents wanting him back in STP.

[EyesOfDisarray]

Brett is right on the money. That passage from the book says it all. We all know Scott is an addict, and right now, alcohol is his drug of choice. (And it is a particularly destructive one to be addicted to.)

I applaud Brett for calling this what it really is: a relapse. Scott is an addict, one who happens to be a famous and incredibly talented musician, but still an addict who has relapsed on alcohol. He is special for his talents and the music he has created, but he does not possess some unique ability to continue drinking without it affecting his life and career in a negative way. If you disagree, there's a long list of other famous and talented musicians who destroyed their careers and/or died too young because they thought they were different in this regard too.

Addicts can't drink. They just can't. It's a cardinal rule of recovery. As long as he keeps drinking, he's not going to get any better, and the best we could hope for is that he deteriorates slowly, not quickly. I hate to be blunt, because I love the guy as much as everyone here, but this is the reality of it.

[Chris Pepper]

The only facts we do know is that STPw/CB is mediocre and its commercial viability is on life support weeks after the release of its only original material. Feels very Similar to AOA.  So Im confused why we continue to talk about stuff we have little to no idea about like Scott's current sobriety and his lack of credibility even in the face of reports he's playing with former bandmates like D Kushner and legit rock heroes like Navarro, Freese, and Z Wylde with reports of killer performances.  You can place blame on whomever you feel but it doesn't solve anything. STPw/CB has long odds of even producing worthwhile music given the EP and Scott never playing with the Deleos again is highly likely so where does that leave STP?  In a worse state then it's ever been in. And that's saying a lot......Sad.

[EyesOfDisarray]

The only facts we do know is that STPw/CB is mediocre

That's not a fact.

and its commercial viability is on life support weeks after the release of its only original material.

In the past few months, they've released an EP, had two songs on the radio, played Leno, and while we're talking about commercial viability, we all know that touring is how bands really make money nowadays... they've already finished one leg of a US tour, just got back from Japan, and according to their web site, they have 14 more dates lined up through March, including Australia. Saying they're on "life support" is just silly.

So Im confused why we continue to talk about stuff we have little to no idea about like Scott's current sobriety

I don't know if Scott's sober right now. I hope he is. But I doubt it. He has been very open about his drinking the past few years and hasn't given any indication that he's sobered up.

[DankoJones]

Oh, Eyes of Disarray, why must you be so rational ?

[StoneTempleBrett]

If Scott quit he'd be talking about it, like he did in fall 2010 when he quit for a few months.  He's not trying to fool anybody.

[Chris Pepper]

If Scott quit he'd be talking about it, like he did in fall 2010 when he quit for a few months.  He's not trying to fool anybody.

^^^
 
"But if you want to drag him out to half filled indian casinos in middle america away from his family to play greatest hits sets, he's not your guy"
 
Didn't Scott just finish that exact tour with the WillyKnobs?

Can't compare Scott solo to STP.  Not even the same ball game / motivations.  Did you attend a Scott solo show?

NO, I kinda like to see concerts start within 3 hours of my arrival time.
I've seen videos for both bands, and Scott is a mess on alot of his, but there are a few good perormances.

However, both bands ARE just doing the hits for the most part.

Ahh the video critic.  Not speaking from the same context then.  Not a discount, just a different perspective. 

The videos also show that both bands play pretty much only the hits. Not sure how we got onto a comparison of the 2 singers. Scott, when he's healthy, is miles ahead of most singers, IMO.

My initial response was for the comment about Scott not being the guy that plays greatest hits at small venues. Except that is exactly what he does.

STP shouldn't be doing this............ever.   Scott solo is more palatable cause he's not the brand STP is.  It's not the same. 

[Chris Pepper]

The only facts we do know is that STPw/CB is mediocre

That's not a fact.

and its commercial viability is on life support weeks after the release of its only original material.

In the past few months, they've released an EP, had two songs on the radio, played Leno, and while we're talking about commercial viability, we all know that touring is how bands really make money nowadays... they've already finished one leg of a US tour, just got back from Japan, and according to their web site, they have 14 more dates lined up through March, including Australia. Saying they're on "life support" is just silly.

So Im confused why we continue to talk about stuff we have little to no idea about like Scott's current sobriety

I don't know if Scott's sober right now. I hope he is. But I doubt it. He has been very open about his drinking the past few years and hasn't given any indication that he's sobered up.

The EP is a disappointment both commercially and artistically.  Is this not a fact?  I thought I was being kind by calling it mediocre.  STP can continue to churn out karaoke nostalgia if that's what you want.  But, gulp, I'm agreeing w/ STBrett above that STPw/CB is not a commercially viable entity.  They have zero momentum right now after only a couple of weeks from the release.  The cycle already feels dead.  It feels eerily similar to the AOA cycle.  The difference is there's no Scott to fall back on anymore.  Sigh....