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Rating: First of all, even though I know this is not the best way to start a review, I hope that all the esteem and admiration I have for this quartet do not too obviously influence what many, but not all, necessarily see as a critical analysis without frills or sentimentalities of the moment...
Despite never having excellent relationships with critics, it is the songs more than sales figures that testify to what can be considered, along with others, clearly, one of the most important American bands of the '90s.
I don't care to provide gossip fodder with the usual speculations about Weiland's vices or the quartet's ability to ride any trend with ease: as far as I'm concerned, if we want to put it this way, the argument would apply to all the other names I can think of drawing from the rock pot of the last decade.
Let's then give space to the songs that in the end are the ones that allow an artist to win us over: I admit, even though I am confronted with an excellent tracklist, I immediately noticed the absence of some songs that beyond loving, I consider to be among STP's best compositions. "Atlanta" and "Hello It's Late" are glaringly missing, belonging to the more recent production that allowed them to shake off the Grunge label and regain a certain popularity (at my house, I repeat at my house it was never lacking): however, they are found in the DVD attached to the collection that features all the clips and many live tracks.
I don't want to dispute that it is a shrewd commercial maneuver, but whether for a great fan or a curious one, it is a complement that makes the compilation more than complete summary. In truth, there are two small surprises on the CD: these are the new "All I Wear In The Sun," definitely powerful and captivating, along with an acoustic version of "Plush" dating back to the beginnings of 1992: don't ask me which I prefer because both equally highlight the band's compositional talent.
Speaking also and finally about the other tracks, the mixture composed of power and melody appears carefully studied as you go through various "Vasoline," "Down," and "Wicked Garden," which introduce the album giving it a decisive cut. However, it does not take away that the songs hard to forget (and I certainly don't mean for their ugliness) remain the usual ones: "Plush," "Creep," "Big Empty," the Beatles-like "Lady Picture Show" and "Interstate Love Song".
I can't help but emphasize how the best track might be "Sour Girl": I apologize considering the premise made earlier, but it is really a matter of affection... at this point, it becomes a bit difficult to conclude because it seems almost like having to forcibly drop a curtain: collections often have the bitter taste of departure or at least of an alarming creative exhaustion.
In short, you can never tell, especially with reference to a group considered dead as far back as '96: I personally didn't believe it back then either.
Tracklist and Lyrics
04 Big Empty (04:55)
drivin' faster in my car
falling farther from just what we are
smoke a cigarette and lie some more
these conversations kill
falling faster in my car
time to take her home
her dizzy head is conscience laden
time to take a ride
it leaves today no conversation
time to take her home
her dizzy head is conscience laden
time to wait too long
to wait too long
to wait too long
to much walkin', shoes worn thin
too much trippin' and my soul's worn thin
time to catch a ride
it leaves today, her name is what it means
to much walkin', shoe's worn thin
Chorus
Conversations kill
Conversations kill
Conversations kill
Chorus
Conversations kill
Conversations kill
Conversations kill
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Other reviews
By 3poundsoflove
Thank You is indeed the almost complete collection of all the singles of the San Diego band.
Among the many, too many collections on the market at this time, it seems the least trivial and sincerely the most honest.
By erro
Only the truly great leave the scene with style, and these people have style to spare.
The much-talked-about Scott Weiland already says a lot about himself in these songs... yet maintains a personality.
