| Stone Temple Pilots | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Studio album by Stone Temple Pilots | ||||
| Released | May 25, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2009 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer | Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo | |||
| Stone Temple Pilots chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Singles from Stone Temple Pilots | ||||
|
||||
Stone Temple Pilots is the sixth studio album by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots set for release on May 25, 2010.[2][3]
Contents |
After separating in 2003, Stone Temple Pilots reunited in April 2008 for a 75-date North American tour. Weiland would hear new material from Robert and Dean DeLeo while the band performed sound checks during the tour, but he wouldn't collaborate in the songwriting process until he was through promoting his solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes.[4]
Despite the band's intent, a future album from the group was uncertain. On June 12, 2008, Atlantic Records filed a lawsuit against Weiland and Eric Kretz, claiming the two had threatened to terminate their contract unless changes were made. Stone Temple Pilots had delivered six albums (five studio records and the compilation Thank You) and Atlantic wanted a seventh album with an option for two more.[5] In a statement made by email, the band said they were surprised and disappointed by the lawsuit.[6]
Although Stone Temple Pilots stressed that a new album would be recorded as long as both parties in the lawsuit acted in good faith,[6] in November 2008 Weiland would comment, "I was told, and I was told for years, that we were free from Atlantic. [...] I have no interest in making a record for a major label."[7] Weiland was interested in exploring options, admitting this was one of the original ideas after the band reformed: "[O]ther bands, they make more money doing things in an unconventional fashion as opposed to doing it, you know, with the major labels."[8] Increasing the uncertainty in the future of a new album, Weiland would later state, "I'm proud of everything we've written. But to make another record would mean another couple of years of my life dedicated to that, and I just don't know if that's where I see myself going."[7]
The final negotiation details between Atlantic and Stone Temple Pilots are unknown, but on February 23, 2010, Craig Kallman, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, delivered a speech praising the members of the band and their influence on the music industry, comparing them to Led Zeppelin.[9]
Stone Temple Pilots marks the first time Robert and Dean have written together since Army of Anyone's only release in 2006. Most of the songwriting and recording process took place over a period of ten months, though several of Dean's contributions date from Army of Anyone. The DeLeos produced the album together, freeing the band from the constraints of any outside producer's schedule. The recording process could then be intertwined with tour dates, resulting in improved performances on the record.[10] Dean admitted they had been spoiled by working with producer Brendan O'Brien on previous releases. "I'm not so good at walking around the control room with a pen and clipboard in my hands, marking down what takes are the best. It's a lot of work. But I like being the very best I can be, and when you're producing, you are taking on everyone's performances and wanting it to be the best it can be."[11]
| “ | When you come off the road, everybody is playing really well, and I think it shows on these performances. Everybody is on his game. | ” |
|
—Dean DeLeo, ARTISTdirect.com[10] |
||
The DeLeos often worked off each other when writing the songs. Robert's primary instrument for composing was the bass, and Dean complimented his achievements: "It's probably easier to tell a story through a piano or a guitar, but when [someone] can tell a story with a bass, that's pretty remarkable." The first demo CD they submitted to Weiland contained nine songs. Weiland worked on the lyrics using these arrangements, often making suggestions for musical phrases to be doubled or moved.[10] Weiland's lyrics would differ from the previous albums, which were solely focused on himself and his drug addictions. He explained, "[In] the '90s, I was so overwhelmed with my heroin addiction, and so a lot of the stuff was just from my point of view. Now, I tend to look at some of the greats like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. I look at their storytelling. I try to tell stories. Every song doesn't have to be narcissistically written about how I feel on that day."[12]
By June 2009, the band had written eighteen songs, twelve of which were planned to be released on the album,[13][12] with B-sides for Japan, the UK, and Europe selected from the remaining songs.[14] Recording began in mid-2009, at times taking place in three studios simultaneously. Bass lines, drums, and overdubs were recorded in the basement studio of Robert's house. Dean's guitar was recorded at Kretz's Bomb Shelter Studios, and Weiland recorded the vocals at his home studio.[10][11]
By December, nine songs had been completed.[14] Mixing began in January 2010 with Chris Lord-Alge,[11] and mastering for the album was completed in February.[15] Robert described the overall sound of the album as having a "'60s vibe."[11] Weiland acknowledged that, though previous albums explored new sounds, the new album would be a "back-to-basics rock record."[16]
The album artwork was designed by Shepherd Fairey.[17]
On February 23, 2010, the album was previewed in its entirety during a private listening party at Gramercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar in New York City. The songs were described as "Beatles-esque" by several members of the audience[9][8] and the album "a natural, melodic progression for Stone Temple Pilots."[18] William Goodman of Spin described the album as a "signature blend of tuneful melodies and rock guitar crunch, psychedelic solos and impressive crooning courtesy of Scott Weiland," adding that two songs in the second half of the album were slower and performed with acoustic guitar.[9] Rick Florino of ARTISTdirect.com extolled the album as "the rock record of the decade," calling it "a masterpiece that will officially solidify STP alongside the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time."[10]
| Track | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Between the Lines" | ||
| 2. | "Take a Load Off" | ||
| 3. | "Huckleberry Crumble" | ||
| 4. | "Hickory Dichotomy" | ||
| 5. | "Dare If You Dare" | ||
| 6. | "Cinnamon" | ||
| 7. | "Hazy Daze" | ||
| 8. | "Bagman" | ||
| 9. | "Peacoat" | ||
| 10. | "Fast As I Can" | ||
| 11. | "First Kiss on Mars" | ||
| 12. | "Maver" |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Search
