No 4
This fine band's powerful music has been often overshadowed by singerScott Weiland's well-documented drug and legal troubles. Not to mention that STP's 1992 debut,Core, was dismissed by critics as "Seattle lite." Nonetheless, STP has managed to make four noteworthy albums,No. 4being the latest in their solid and cohesive body of work.No. 4is not groundbreaking, but the quartet's aggressive, dynamic hard rock is emotion-packed and timeless. Not as hit-heavy as its predecessors,No. 4is nevertheless strong and diverse. On the gentler side, there's the lilting '60s-influenced "I Got You" and "Atlanta," which is almostDoors-like in its dreamy mood. Heavier fare includes the midtempo heavy riffing opener "Down" and the winning but not-so-subtly titled "Sex and Violence," which matches an aggressive, linear feel with a cool punk vibe. At 42 minutes, the only thing wrong withNo. 4is that there's not enough of it.--Katherine Turman