Jim L. (lightninlace) from SPRINGFIELD, MA Reviewed on 8/11/2006...
Have no idea how this CD got its title -- not a 12 bar blues tune on the recording. You die-hard Weiland fans, though (and I don't count myself among them), are sure to love it.
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CD Reviews
I've been looking for years
Amber N. Turner | Chicago, IL USA | 08/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
What a difference 7 years make!
Tara Wong | SF,CA | 01/11/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
"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.)