Pilots still rocking
Simon to end touring career
SBy Mark Kennedy
“Stone Temple Pilots” (Rhino Records) Everything from the 1990s seems to be making a comeback these days, from “The X-Files” and “Will & Grace” to the Spice Girls and velour tracksuits. So is it time for Stone Temple Pilots? Totally, as the kids said back then. The four-piece band once closely associated with the grunge explosion of the early 1990s with such hits as “Creep” and “Plush” has returned with a new self-titled album and a new lead singer, Jeff Gutt.
Gutt, once a contestant on “The X Factor,” has big shoes to fill, namely those of original frontman Scott Weiland, who was dismissed from the band amid his drug troubles, and Weiland’s replacement, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, who did a two-year stint with the band (both are now dead).
If there are nerves, Gutt isn’t showing them. The album kicks off with “Middle of Nowhere” and Gutt sings with strutting bluster, “There’s a right way/And there’s a wrong way/ And then there’s my way.”
The 12-track album is a nice collection of straight-ahead hard rock songs, from the bluesy “Never Enough” to the arena rocker “Meadow.” The band isn’t afraid to go slower, too, and offer two outstanding ballads, “Thought She’d Be Mine” and “The Art of Letting Go.” Perhaps
Liberty International Airport.
Santana made an initial court appearance Monday in federal court in Newark. He had turned himself in to authorities earlier Monday, three days after security personnel at the airport found a loaded .38-caliber handgun in a carry-on bag containing his identification.
Cantat
Beyonce
the most grunge-y song on the new album is “Roll Me Under,” which has the power of instantly transporting you to the sound of rock when Bill Clinton was new in the White House. (RCA Inspiration)
Snoop Dogg, one of rap’s OGs, has a gospel double album out. Yes, that’s right: The D-O-Double-G is doing G-O-D.
A humble, peace-loving, family-centered Snoop emerges on the 32-track double album “Bible of Love.” He quotes from the Book of Isaiah — “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” — and has nice things to say about his devout grandmother.
NEW YORK:
“Bible of Love”
Also:
Folk rock legend Paul Simon said Monday he plans to close out his touring career with a last series of concerts in his hometown of New York.
The 76-year-old former half of Simon and Garfunkel had last month announced a farewell tour that will take him across North America and Europe, although New York was notably absent from his initial itinerary.
Revealing new dates, Simon said he will play on Sept 15 in nearby Newark, New Jersey, where he was born and spent his first few years, before concerts on Sept 20 and 21 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. (Agencies)
Authorities say Santana had fled the area, leaving two bags behind. (AP)
VENTURA, Calif:
Heather Locklear has been charged with several counts of battery against first responders who answered a domestic violence call at her Southern California home.
The 56-year-old “Melrose Place” actress was charged Monday with four misdemeanor counts of battery on an officer or emergency personnel, and one misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer.
Sheriff’s officials said Locklear kicked, pushed and shouted at deputies who were answering a report that she had been violent with her boyfriend Feb 26. No domestic violence charges have been filed.
Locklear’s representatives did not immediately reply to requests for comment. (AP)