Well, I can't say I wasn't warned. Scott himself said he was looking to create something in the traditional vein for the holidays, and this 2011 album is it. Those of you who immediately think "Stone Temple Pilots" when Scott's name is brought up better leave that association aside for this disc -- there's not a trace of rock on it. This is crooner music of the Bing Crosby-Andy Williams variety for the most part. As I've mentioned numerous times in the past, this is the kind of music that got me started collecting rock Christmas tunes -- so I wouldn't have to listen to the other kind. The only contemporary analogue I can think of in regard to this collection is the Billy Idol Christmas album, which was a similar stylistic break from the music that made the singer famous. Take comfort from the fact that Scott actually has the pipes to carry this off -- it doesn't sound bad at all, and he certainly doesn't sound as if he's trying on somebody else's ill-fitting shoes by attempting such a different style of music. Highlights are his self-duet version of the Bing-Bowie medley "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" (apparently Leonard Cohen was supposed to play Bing but it fell through), a nice reggae version of "O Holy Night" and his syncopated Latin jazz "Silent Night." The rest, while not terrible, is indistinguishable from any number of bargain holiday crooner collections.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Scott Weiland (Softdrive/Rhino)
Well, I can't say I wasn't warned. Scott himself said he was looking to create something in the traditional vein for the holidays, and this 2011 album is it. Those of you who immediately think "Stone Temple Pilots" when Scott's name is brought up better leave that association aside for this disc -- there's not a trace of rock on it. This is crooner music of the Bing Crosby-Andy Williams variety for the most part. As I've mentioned numerous times in the past, this is the kind of music that got me started collecting rock Christmas tunes -- so I wouldn't have to listen to the other kind. The only contemporary analogue I can think of in regard to this collection is the Billy Idol Christmas album, which was a similar stylistic break from the music that made the singer famous. Take comfort from the fact that Scott actually has the pipes to carry this off -- it doesn't sound bad at all, and he certainly doesn't sound as if he's trying on somebody else's ill-fitting shoes by attempting such a different style of music. Highlights are his self-duet version of the Bing-Bowie medley "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" (apparently Leonard Cohen was supposed to play Bing but it fell through), a nice reggae version of "O Holy Night" and his syncopated Latin jazz "Silent Night." The rest, while not terrible, is indistinguishable from any number of bargain holiday crooner collections.
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