MIM Notes No. 199	 December 1, 1999

MUSIC REVIEW

"No 4" 
Stone Temple Pilots 
Atlantic, 1999
reviewed by MC5

Stone Temple Pilots can be darn entertaining musicians. Too bad they 
have nothing to say in this album, just the same old sexual angst. 

It's about girlfriends leaving or unattainable for these four men 
composing Stone Temple Pilots. Even the song titled "MC5" is no real 
tribute to that revolutionary band.

If elevator music were created to soothe patients from a certain era 
before they went to the dentist, is Stone Temple Pilots destined to play 
the same role for the X Generation rockers 30 years from now when they 
visit their plastic surgeons? Dare we add that some of the music on this 
album is reminiscent of '60s "classic rock" of a syrup-like nature? The 
ability to play loud, crashing but disciplined rock music is somehow 
associated with discontent and rebellion.

Yet, if the only discontent is sexual, the Stone Temple Pilots may be 
just the elevator music of the future. It just cries for entrapment by 
the romance culture, a stultifying and conservative effect. Now that 
they are rich, we hope they find some other subject matters to match 
their musical style.

There is probably no way to avoid singing about gender matters entirely. 
All we ask is something original or it might be better to sing about the 
Internet. At least that is new.