Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots

The Stone Temple Pilots are now experts in new beginnings.

A band with a long history, and at this point evidently endowed with a notable spirit of survival, they forge ahead after the incredible, well-known double departure; the death of the historic frontman Scott Weiland, and even the suicide of his temporary replacement (just in time for an EP) Chester Bennington, for those few who didn’t know him, former frontman of Linkin Park.

The De Leo brothers rolled up their sleeves once again, recruiting the frontman of the nu-metal band Dry Cell (as well as former X-Factor contestant) Jeff Gutt, and releasing the single “Meadow” last November to present him to the world. A perfectly made move; “Meadow” is a stunning piece, incredibly well-balanced between radio appeal and incisiveness, and Gutt proved to be an absolutely fitting choice, managing to fully evoke Weiland’s style (no offense to Bennington, but here the heavy legacy is that of the poor Scott) without irritatingly imitating him.

From there to the new album, symbolically baptized “Stone Temple Pilots” (despite the last studio work, now eight years old, bearing the same title), the step was short. Released via Atlantic and produced by the De Leo brothers themselves, it is a work in perfect STP style; an album balanced between classic rock, grunge, and southern inspirations, inspired, cohesive, and with very few concessions to filler just to make up the numbers.

Twelve tracks that showcase a band in good shape and that re-propose itself at more than decent levels, starting with “Middle Of Nowhere” that ignites the powder with grit and good ideas. Having mentioned the excellent “Meadow,” the album convinces both when the band steps on the gas, as in “Guilty” and the equally convincing second single “Roll Me Under,” both well enriched by southern rock fascinations, and when the pace slows down and decent atmospheric tracks come out. Belonging to the latter category are the beautiful “Thought She’d Be Mine,” a laid-back ballad in the vein of Foo Fighters’ “Resolve,” and the third single “The Art Of Letting Go,” where Gutt surprisingly changes the register and gives us an open-voiced refrain characterized by marked seventies influences.

The purely STP grunge of the new single “Never Enough” and “Good Shoes” satisfies longtime fans, while the rock blues of “Just A Little Lie” seeks new paths without betraying the old ones.

A good starting point for STP, yet another test of courage for a band that refuses to give up.

Best track: Meadow