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Army of Anyone, or Stone Temple Pilots resurrected and still rocking!
For those who felt orphaned by the STP: good news! Your favorites are back in action, and they still seem to have something to say. Not too much, in truth, but a bit of good old-fashioned rock n' roll, very well produced (Bob Ezrin, latest Jane's Addiction, but also Pink Floyd, Kiss etc..), was just what was needed. The sonic area of the STP was starting to be deserted by the general public in the absence of prominent representatives... Occasionally filled here and there by the new Deftones, rather than by Chevelle, or Theory of a Deadman.
Today there's a new chapter to listen to. It's called "Army of Anyone", and it's the combine-supergroup (the definition might be a bit unfortunate, but it fits) of the excellent Rob and Dean DeLeo, the guitar soul of the STP, alongside frontman Richard Patrick, formerly of "Filter." The project has a plus compared to the old STP formation: finally, a drummer worthy of the name. His name is Ray Luzier, and it seems that our guys want to give him the dignity of thought and word. The execution of certain classic drum fills, displayed in their completeness, is tremendous. If you missed a good fat and abrasive Am-Rock, like the satisfying one you found in STP, you'll find it here.
The self-titled album, released already some time ago (November 2006), flew almost under the radar on the radio and with the public. Only by chance, stumbling upon a link on YouTube, did I appreciate the polished violence of the big single: "Goodbye." On the album, it is preceded by a great opening track: "It doesn’t seem to matter", but in Goodbye the production of Ezrin shines - the mix of the refrain is grandiose, with the guitar carving out its space around the voice - and the sound of Richard Patrick, in great form. Followed by a "display of skill" (a bit overly-exhibited, to tell the truth) by Luzier.
Also notable are "Father Figure", halfway between the melodic openings of STP and the powerful riffs of Filter. "Disappear" is a classic STP tune, and it's evident that Patrick's presence is not incidental in the economy of the group. The chorus benefits from the production skills and the usual guitar crafting around the voice. The overall solidity of the song structure is highlighted by a broad and present bass, as Robert De Leo accustomed us to in the past. In all honesty, the album deserves more than one listen, and the emotions it conveys at first might prove to be short-lived.
In any case, if you felt deprived of good pheromones, like those the STP gave you, if you're hungry, thirsty for a good traditional listening episode, don't think twice: Army of Anyone is a great work. Nothing new under the sun, indeed. However, music is not logos, so give in to the emotion.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
07 Goodbye (04:35)
Yeah, I got this thinkin' in my head
Yeah, you wanna say the things not said
Whats the reason?
Don't really care if you leave
Just wanna see you beaten
Don't really care if you grieve
Don't really need a reason
Hey, goodbye
I wish you stayed here
I wish you were here
Yeah, I got this feelin' in my veins
Yeah, a helpless feeling mixed with pain
What's the meaning?
I just can't believe
that you're not really with me
I just can't believe
I wonder if you'll miss me
Hey, goodbye
I wish you stayed here
I wish you were here
08 It Doesn't Seem to Matter (03:55)
I saved a place for you
I saved a place for all of you
I wanna pull you all in
I want you guessin' what the truth can win
Let's all fake happiness
We'll put on a good show
We'll lie through our teeth
We'll kill who tries to cheat
Aye man
Yeah
It doesn't seem to matter
When it's all about you
It doesn't seem to matter
when it's all about you
I'll try to make amends
I'll try to mend all of you
I want to let you all in
I want to live where the truth can win
Let's all fake happiness
We'll put on a good show
With fun in the streets
We'll kill who tries to cheat
Aye man
Yeah
It doesn't seem to matter
When it's all about you
It doesn't seem to matter
When it's all about you
I want to let you all in
I want to live where the truth can win
It doesn't seem to matter
When it's all about you
It doesn't seem to matter
when it's all about you
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