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Rating: The work I am reviewing is Shangri-La Dee Da, an album that has now become historic. Reviewing a CD like this is not easy because we are talking about what is, to all intents and purposes, a piece of history. A great work that reflects the undeniable versatility of Scott Weiland's voice and the originality of Dan DeLeo on guitar. Behind all this is the usual touch of Brendan O'Brien, who needs no introduction as a producer. Going back to the San Diego group, I can say that with Shangri-La Dee Da they truly amazed us, and I believe no one expected such work two years after N. 4.
The CD opens with "Dumb Love," the "toughest" song on the album, with riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath's hardest period. A very well-made choice that undoubtedly influences the final result of the work. It is followed by "Days Of The Week," the only song that I find unconvincing, designed to capture more listeners, and in my humble opinion, unsuccessful. But the expectations are no longer let down with the next track, "Coma," which continues the toughness streak of "Dumb Love" and is successfully placed among the band's most aggressive tracks, partly thanks to a really surprising scratchy start. Followed by "Hollywood Bitch," a song that is a bit of a synthesis of the two previous ones, but in an honorable way presents itself as an almost comedic rock 'n roll ballad, as revealed by the lyrics and the title. "Wonderful" is a track capable of showing listeners the aforementioned versatility of Weiland, who expresses himself at his best in this melodic rock piece. "Black Again" starts with a mini-intro almost Soundgarden-esque, but it's just an illusion because the song is a bit along the lines of Wonderful in terms of melody, although it remains an excellent piece. "Hello It's Late" is the true gem of this album, just like "Bi-Polar Bear" seeks a more melancholic sound, in my opinion, it is the track that remains the most from this album. "Too Cool Queenie" somewhat breaks the atmosphere of the previous one, in an undoubtedly effective way, awakens DeLeo in the piece's finale with a great solo, one of the few in the album, that aims more to create a different atmosphere than to showcase technical skill. "Regeneration" recalls the most haunting Nirvana, many points in common with Scott Weiland's singing in this track and the voice of the now-deceased Kurt Cobain, but the thing that strikes the most is the alternating almost English-style verses in the song. Then it's time for "Bi-Polar Bear," my favorite song on the CD, the most elaborate in terms of melody, although suffering from the little space between percussion and background vocals, Weiland's voice manages to shine, even convincing the detractors. Marvelous. "Transmission From A Lonely Room" is one of the fastest tracks, a rock that focuses more on speed than the weight of the riff, however Weiland's voice seems to take a lot from "Pretty Nose" by Soundgarden from Down On The Upside, especially in the parts before the chorus. "A Song For Sleep" is yet another variation of style by the four, who with this almost country piece show they are still very much awake, despite the title suggesting otherwise. "Long Way Home" is almost a tribute to Nirvana with Weiland's voice indulging in a heartrending song. The chorus is a jewel, "Tell me is it more of the same and where can I find it? Tell me is she fighting for air and where does she come from?". A track that perfectly represents the band, with DeLeo indulging in solo always in a low voice, closing the album, and unfortunately also their career in a truly commendable way.
Ultimately, what remains after listening to this album is a lot of nostalgia, a desire to return to the times when Weiland still gave his best. I do not deny that in some places the record may appear slow, but it has certain peaks that earn it a nice 4 stars. "Call my name when you knock on the door."
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 Days of the Week (02:35)
Monday, back from the dead
I'm letting it go, back for another one
Tuesday, shoot me in the head
I'm takin' it back , takin' it back
I'll take it back
Wednesday, she's lookin' for a friend
She'll get what she wants
Can't seem to get enough
Thursday, it's more than I can stand
I'm holdin' her down, holdin' her down
She's down again
I gotta find a way to find her
Where could she be?
Four days of the week
She thinks I'm the enemy
One day, left me for dead
Woke up on the floor, time for another one
Two days, she's leavin' me again
Can't take it no more
Out through the open door
Three days, she's found herself a friend
She got what she wants
Still never get enough
Four days she's back with me again
She's pullin' me down, pullin' me down
I'm down again
I gotta find a way to find her
Where could she be?
Four days of the week
She thinks I'm the enemy
Monday's gone
Tuesday's fadin'
Wednesday's gone
Thursday's all but wasted now
Monday, back from the dead
I'm letting it go, back for another one
Tuesday, shoot me in the head
I'm takin' it back , takin' it back
I'll take it back
I gotta find a way to find her
Where could she be?
Four days of the week
She thinks I'm the enemy
thinks I'm the enemy
03 Coma (03:41)
Tar and feathers hide your feelings
If you even know the meaning
Your high road is overrated
You left your guru out there hangin'
Don't stay
Don't stay
Your appetite's insatiable
Devouring one thousand souls
It's more or less the same ole story
The princess and the whore. The lady.
Nobody sees it
Nobody hears it
Nobody breathin' in a coma
So keep your secret
Your perfect secrets
It's just a game but no one's playin'
In a coma lying, waiting
Desire fills the lonely craving
So many trampled-under footwear
But more to fill the trophy cases.
09 Regeneration (03:55)
Regenerate the impoverished souls
That echo you
Bleed to feed the masses
Soup line two times two
They got your picture from the
Sunday Plain Dealer that listed you
(Dead)
Forget the story. There's a bounty on
Your head. They fingered you
Right away. Right away
Green light. Get a move on
Right of way, right of way
Stop sign, put the brakes on
Positive cell regeneration
Positive cell regeneration
Celebrate the immortal youth
That wasted you
Peel the skin back from all the lies
That blistered you
They hold for ransom
All the watered down truths
That splintered your
(Faith)
So sell your soul, because you're already
(Dead)
They've listed you
To the fields where lesser mice go
To the fields where men follow
To the fields where lesser mice go
To the fields where we all follow
11 Transmissions From a Lonely Room (03:15)
Miles above your circumstance
There's water on your mind
I've wrestled with convictions
And I've settled with the tide
It's more or less uncertainty
But still you play the game
A pedicure won't change the score
But all of this will fade
So low, better get on
Everything's stopped (down)
So slow, better get on
Everything's slowed down
Take a bath with consecrated water
From the shrine
And wash away the mud of all the
Miles you left behind
Triplicates and wedding rings
Both lethal to obtain
So batten down the credit cards
The devil's in the den
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