This final week in May is a setback. We've had a great month of new releases and this week's list is not without any intriguing titles but we're missing the depth we've had the past few weeks. This is the week you catch your breath and catch up on titles from the previous weeks before the onslaught of June releases begins.
First up... Stone Temple Pilots. That's right, boys and girls, Weiland has kissed and made up with one of his former bands. I know GNR — errr... Velvet Revolver — was a den of assholes but Weiland can't seem to get along with anyone for very long. He's a talent and there's something engaging about him but he seems to wear people out, including me. I bought his last solo album Happy In Galoshes and I liked it- well, about half of it. I've got everything STP has released... until now. I think I finally feel empowered to skip this one. I've heard the first single and I'm sorry but the '90s are finally (mostly) over for me. Hearing Weiland reminisce about the drug days just doesn't hold any meaning for me anymore. I wish the health and success but I'm going to let the train pull ahead without me.
Next up... a delicious take on the British Invasion from the legendary Bettye LaVette. We all know the story of British kids getting hipped up on the R&B, blues, and soul sounds of African-American artists and selling those songs and sounds back to American audiences in the form of a cool new rock and roll. Ms. LaVette is ready to turn the tables on our UK brothers and sisters by bringing her impeccable blues and soul stylings and reinterpreting the British invasion songs that changed a generation and perhaps even the entire world.
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