reviewed by MC5, November 1, 1999
Stone Temple Pilots can be darn entertaining musicians. Too bad they have nothing to say in this album, just the same old sexual angst.
It's about girlfriends leaving or unattainable for these four men composing Stone Temple Pilots. Even the song titled "MC5" is no real tribute to that revolutionary band.
If elevator music were created to soothe patients from a certain era before they went to the dentist, is Stone Temple Pilots destined to play the same role for the X Generation rockers 30 years from now when they visit their plastic surgeons? Dare we add that some of the music on this album is reminiscent of '60s "classic rock" of a syrup-like nature? The ability to play loud, crashing but disciplined rock music is somehow associated with discontent and rebellion.
Yet, if the only discontent is sexual, the Stone Temple Pilots may be just the elevator music of the future. It just cries for entrapment by the romance culture, a stultifying and conservative effect. Now that they are rich, we hope they find some other subject matters to match their musical style.
There is probably no way to avoid singing about gender matters entirely. All we ask is something original or it might be better to sing about the Internet. At least that is new.