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Stone Temple Pilots: No. 4

Atlantic Records

One has to wonder what some groups are thinking when they venture into a studio in the hopes of recording an album. What is their motivation for doing so? After living as a part of the "music biz" for such a long time, are musical endeavors art anymore, or just feeble attempts at producing music that will secure some more material possessions?

Scott Weiland and the rest of the STP gang seem to have made amends just long enough to record a new album in the hopes of securing a more financially stable future. Earlier in the year, Weiland's heroin habit came between the band, and the rest of the musical money-making machine decided to give him the boot. But then they realized the only reason the group existed was because of Weiland's brilliant lyricism and double-edged voice - melodic and beautiful at times, gruff and piercing at others.

No. 4, produced by long-time collaborator Brendan O'Brien (Core, Purple, Tiny Music...), strays from the more recent STP material, and brings back a more brutally aggressive sound reminiscent of 1992's Core. The result, however, is anything but Core's in-your-face, hostile attack on the senses. "Down," the album's first single, attempts to recapture the sound of "Sex Type Thing," the single that thrust the group into the mainstream, but instead lacks the passion or witty lyrics of "Sex Type Thing."

"Heaven & Hot Rods," "Pruno" and "Sex & Violence" all follow suit, and all fall short of capturing the true passion Weiland and company should be bringing forth. The lighter side of No. 4 ("Sour Girl," "Atlanta") however, is worth a listen. Unfortunately, No. 4 doesn't showcase enough of these songs.

Perhaps it was drug problems or personal differences, but the Stone Temple Pilots fall short with this one, and instead of making a comeback, release a musical blunder. - Barry McGuire