On his new album, "Happy" In Galoshes (to be released Nov. 25th), Weiland's backing band is comprised of members of No Doubt. The band, while not spectacular, do provide more than capable support for the singer.
Vocally Weiland is in pretty good form. His voice sounds strong and powerful.
Most of the songs tend to keep towards the familiar hard rock path that one would expect from someone of Weiland's pedigree. And that's okay, because he does it surprisingly well on the record.
While "Happy" is for the most part a hard rock record, Weiland does push the margins at points. "Pictures and Computers (I'm Not Superman)" prominently features horns, while "Big Black Monster" has a funky groove to it.
On "Beautiful Day" Weiland channels Pet Sounds Beach Boys or Revolver-era Beatles to deliver a 60's pop vibe. But he doesn't only look to the past to draw influence. The lead single "Paralysis" sound like it could have been written and recorded by The Strokes.
The one track that definitely misses the mark is the cover of David Bowie's "Fame" which features electronic icon Paul Oakenfeld. For those most part however, Weiland's electronic experiments are kept to accents within the greater structure of the songs. It mostly works.
At the end of the day "Happy" In Galoshes is not a master work of the rock genre. It is however a solid and enjoyable record. And there aren't enough of those nowadays.
Best tracks: "Blind Confusion", "Paralysis"
Track listing for "Happy" In Galoshes:
- Missing Cleveland
- Tangle With Your Mind
- Blind Confusion
- Paralysis
- She Sold Her System
- Fame
- Killing Me Sweetly
- Big Black Monster
- Crash
- Beautiful Day
- Pictures and Computers (I'm Not Superman)
- Arch Angel
- Be Not Afraid
6.0
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