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REVIEWS ROCK/POP * STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Shangri-La Dee Da (Atlantic/47:21/LP): While it's a fast and easy fix, flowing with straight-rocking tunes that induce an immediate rush, STP's fifth studio effort isn't quite the raging mind- blower diehard fans would expect from the group.
That said, no other band wracked by inner demons has survived the grunge meltdown with more resilience than the Californian quartet, as a consequence of which it remains interesting even when it's coasting as it does almost half the time here.
The opener Dumb Love is a typical heavy-riffed STP rager that excites despite its familiarity. But the tunes that follow - Days Of the Week, Coma, Wonderful, Hello It's Late, etc - are more fresh- sounding, with nods to feel-good pop, industrial metal and classic rock balladry.
You get the sense that the band is trying to achieve a more effective balance between mayhem and melodicism, and message and medium on these thematically sophisticated songs.
And a predominance of slow songs, including the stirring Hello It's Late, signals a new level of maturity and an emphasis on space instead of stomp.
Those seeking a repeat of the sustained ferocious attack that characterised STP's still-provocative debut Core would be disappointed. But if you're already clued in to the band's evolution over the years, you'd appreciate the music here.
(Distributed by Warner Music)
Performance: *** 1/2
Sound: ***
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