Search - Scott Weiland :: Happy in Galoshes (Bb) (Dlx)

A worthy effort that might hopefully help Weiland win over s

Daniel Maltzman | Arlington, MA, USA | 12/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No matter what you think of Scott Weiland, one thing is certain--he is a ridiculed artist. Almost immediately as he achieved fame in the early 90s with Stone Temple Pilots he was accused of ripping-off Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder with his baritone growl in "Plush," and then with his solo album and later STP it was David Bowie he was said to have taken a page from. His lyrics are mocked as nonsensical gibberish and he has been called a hack, a fraud and a poser.



All this is unfair because the man does have talent, a lot of talent in fact. I will be the first to admit Weiland is somewhat of a "musical chameleon," borrowing elements from Vedder, Bowie, Reed, etc, over the years but his songwriting, willingness to experiment, melodies and, overall ability to craft a good song are superb. As for his lyrics...yeah, I don't always get them, but whatever...



Weiland's full talents perhaps best manifested themselves on his solo debut "12 Bar Blues" (1998). Unconcerned with making something radio-friendly in the vein of STP, Weiland was free to experiment, throw in the kitchen sink and create whatever he wanted. The result was an eclectic, wonderfully bizarre, carnival-esque; Bowie/Reznor inspired ride through a depressed, tortured, and most importantly creative mind.



Ten years and four albums later (two with STP and two with his "supergroup" Velvet Revolver) Weiland is back with a new album "'Happy'" in Galoshes" (2008).



If you're one of those people that absolutely loved "12 Bar Blues" you might be a little disappointed with "Galoshes." There's really nothing as alluring and downright weird and hypnotic as "Desperation #5," "Barbarella" or "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down" and the album, overall, is far more straightforward and can seem a little pedestrian compared to its predecessor. That said "Galoshes" is still a fine album and has a lot to offer. Think of it as a cross between the more mellow songs from "12 Bar Blues," like "Son" and STP's final album "Shangri-La Dee Da," (2001) like "Hello, it's late." It's the sort of album you can just kind of unwind and relax with. The last year-and-a-half haven't been the best for Weiland as he lost a brother, his marriage fell apart and he was kicked-out of Velvet Revolver, and this album sort of reflects that. "Galoshes" is a poppy and melodic, yet melancholy, lonely journey...



While there may not be a "Slither" or "Sex Type Thing" to rock out with or anything quite as captivating as something from "12 Bar Blues," "Galoshes" is still a worthy effort that might hopefully help Weiland win over some of his more harsher critics (Note: a lot of the album's more offbeat songs were left off and available on the deluxe edition).

"

Lounge Funk Rock?

Ryan Tidwell | 11/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great CD.



Listened nonstop for a week now and the sounds just keep growing. Very original, very real."