Customer Reviews

12 Bar Blues

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This isn't a Core or Purple album, but follows more in the vein of Tiny Music.... I really enjoyed the variety and experimentation of this album, though it took a few listens to decide I liked the album. The lyrics aren't the strongest I've heard, but I attribute that to the possibility that the lyrics are strongly personal and make more sense to Scott than to the rest of the world. A good listen and a good buy. There's only 1 track on the CD that I just really don't like.

While Scott Weiland's debut album "12 Bar Blues" (1998) may never get recognized as a great work of art, it's always been a favorite album of mine.

Imagine throwing Tom Watts, David Bowie and Trent Reznor in a blender...and you'd get something like this...

"12 Bar Blues" is far different from anything that Weiland released in either STP or Velvet Revolver. If you are a fan of Stone Temple Pilots or VR, this album may not appeal to you, because it's not really a "rock" album. Rather, "12 bar Blues" is a much more eclectic, diverse collection of songs. The album is rather electronic, with effects, etc. And Unlike STP or VR, this isn't really a guitar and riff driven album.

And while each song sounds unique and different, the album still manages to flow perfectly. Each song is well crafted, arranged, and well written with a good hook. Out of the 12 songs on this CD, I don't consider anything to be filler. I can't name a standout tune, because really, each song is terrific. To me, the songs read like a diary of a tortured soul, but without sounding whiny or full of self-pity.

And that's fine with him. Scott Weiland once admitted that this CD ranges from A to Z and back to G. He's right. But given the chance, these strange, distorted noises ultimately blend together in fulfilling harmony. If given the chance.

"Desperation #5," for example, should have been released as a single. With despairing, cryptic, mournful lyrics and a buzzsaw of a guitar riff that will knock you on [...], this was a great leadoff choice for the album. Oddly, the cumbersome and disjointed "Barbarella" was the misguided choice for a single. Other better tunes that would have worked as radio singles and sold Weiland more albums include "About Nothing," "Divider" (pleasant lounge sound) and the ultra-sheeny rocker "Opposite Octave Reaction."

As for Weiland's voice, it's produced in a purposely distorted mixture of glammy sheen and a tinge of grittiness that's likely to trip up Stone Temple Pilots Core listeners. But great musicians surrounded Weiland on "12 Bar Blues," no doubt learning to play what Weiland could only hum or lightly strum on a guitar; undoubtedly, his musician friends pulled through for him. Still, Weiland did a formidable job with this disc. Those not willing to grow with their favorite artists won't even hear this album half the way through. However, if you're up for experimentation -- plastic guitars stretched to the nines, spacey lounge, dated industrial, soft guitar and piano, stretched vocals, weird lyrics, Irish barroom odes, techno rock and glam -- check out "12 Bar Blues." I don't know what this guy was on when he wrote some of these unique tunes, nor what was going on in his life, but despite his condition it sounds like Weiland was having a great time in the studio, twiddling knobs and God knows what else.

This is a GREAT album. Its different from STP however. So if you're looking for that I would just pass this up. This album is better than anything STP has released ever. I love what Scott has done on this record. At first it took me a while to get into but now I can't stop listening to it. I bought it when it came out, listened and said "what the...". But now when I listen to it I finally figured out what Scott was trying to do. He made an alternative/glam rock/pop album. How he pulled this off I have no idea but he does it well. His voice shines on songs like "Where's The Man" and "Divider". Some of the lyrics don't make any sense but alot of STP's lyrics didn't either, but the lyrics that do make sense are about his struggles with addiction and what happened because of it. Overall this is a weird but great album. If you're open minded enough to listen without thinking about STP, you might the beauty in this gem.

A lot of people said some ugly things about this album, saying that if this is how Scott sounds without heroin he should get back on it (which I find a disgusting thing to say). I however, think that this album shows that Scott can shine on his own. Although a lot of the songs sound like STP (which makes sense since Scott writes the lyrics to most of their songs), the album is an eclectic mix of hard rock, grunge, electronica, country/folk, and even a little elevator muzak. Songs like "The Date," "Cool Kiss," and "About Nothing" take a little listening to, but there are some great songs on here. "Divider" is a funky/jazzy song that stays in your head; "Barbarella" is a phenomenal ditty that makes fun of itself - "This must be boring by now." "Where's the Man" is a ballad likened to STP's "Big Empty" that has an edge of insanity behind it; & "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down" sticks out as a sad but powerful piece with guest Sheryl Crow on accordian. In short, this album takes awhile to get used to, but any fan of STP would, in my opinion, be comfortable listening to it. Scott should be commended for his incredible amount of work and time involved in this album.

Scott Weiland (in my 'personal' opinion) is one of the most prolific artists today. I've been an admirer of his talent since STP first appeared in the early 90's amidst all the negative criticism afforded towards the band. Something I always found odd considering STP were more melodic than Pearl Jam and Nirvana. (Both bands I'm also a fan of.) But STP were the under-dogs of "Alt-rock", even though I thought they were just as good (if not better) than the previous two.
But, as with all bands plagued by sudden mainstream success, Scott & co. succumbed to drug use, eventually driving the band apart to other projects. "12 Bar Blues" is Weiland's first solo effort. And, although, it's not his most respected effort...for some reason, I still like listening to it, even now. I guess the reason I like this album is the fact that it's soooooo unique. He incorporates sounds of psychedelic ambience that nearly resemble a jazz/funk techno-fest. Bowie-esque, even. (I recommend reading Burroughs "Naked Lunch" with this album playing in the background.)
You have to also take in consideration at the time this album was created, Scott was battling his Heroin addiction at the time. Which, again in my opinion, seems to add to the disjointed feel this album gives off...most likely very intentional. I believe this is his most personal album that only Scott can translate personally for us. "Barbarella", in fact, strikes me as Scott's own personal ode of going through withdrawal at a rehab clinic. (In the rec room, smoking a cigarette, watching "Barbarella" on TV with a blank stare and blood-shot eyes.)

From STP to Solo artist, Scott Weiland never ceases to amaze me!!! From the strong and painfully real Barbarella to the easy going Jimmy was a Stimulator.Then of course you have the mellow Divider and Where's the man. All these songs have eye opening lyrics that show the listener what the goes through the mind of someone who has been brought back from the brinks of death many times.
Overall I believe that this album will eventually be a classic rock album!
Good Job Scott!

I don't know how to classify this recording.

Some of it sounds new wave. At times it sounds like alternative. Throw in some David Bowie, psychadelic Beatles, Roxy Music, The Doors, just a pinch of Nine Inch Nails, and what do you have ? A tallented singer/songwriter that seems to enjoy all types of music ! I applaude the effort.

I'm a heavy STP fan and this album is probably just an experiment for Scott. The best cut off the CD is 'Barbarella'. It seems to be the only song that would get any sort of airplay on the radio. Other songs have heavy doeses of piano and strings, with heavily distorted synthisizers and vocals. It's as if Scott was going through all sorts of emotions during this period (I know he was in rehab). He gets angry, depressed, happy, uncertain, stoned, ect.

I honestly don't know how to rate this CD. At times very good, at times too strange.

I must say though, Scott sure knows how to grab your attention. That's why he's such a great artist. A fascinating effort, just a bit too strange for my 'hard rock' taste.

The other Stone Temple Pilot members did better with their TALK SHOW cd. Look it up !

I had given up on finding a new copy of 12 Bar Blues after my original was lost. I had looked in the stores, and even on some online stores. But I never, for some reason, looked here. Anyway, my desperate search ended with a downtrodden consumer wondering where she's get her rhythmic Scott Weiland and that sultry, soft voice.

12 Bar Blues doesn't surpass anything STP did. It didn't do better or accomplish something Scott tried to do with the band and failed. There's no comparing it to the band this man once fronted for. Its something completely different and unique of not only Stone Temple Pilots, but anything that was released in its time. Even now I can't think of anything similar. Its an amazing piece and I'm glad I found it again.

I tried in vain to like this cd over seven years ago because the song,"Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down" was my favorite on the Great Expectations soundtrack. Back then the music sounded so discordant and the lyrics so weird and melodramatic that it got tossed into the junk heap.

On the verge of donating the cd to Goodwill, I gave it a it second chance and after seven more years of music exposure, I can really appreciate the the uniqueness of the compositions and the urgency and flow to these songs. This is the type of music people make when they don't have to worry about having the "Rock Star Image", it's improvisational and experimental sounding. These are much more intimate and higher quality songs than his more one dimensional hits with STP. If I can do a 360 with this, you might want to give it a second try as well.