Having come a long, long, long way since Stone Temple Pilots' last record, Tiny Music, Scott Weiland steps into the ring for a title bout with Lady Solo Album. Expecting the same old worn- out grunge rantings about apathy and teen spirit? No, my friend, that sound is long gone. In its place is music that owes more to David Bowie and solo John Lennon records than early Soundgarden.

12 Bar Blues is easily the most innovative album Weiland has ever produced for public consumption. The first track, "Desperation #5" walks out into the road and opens its trenchcoat, revealing a synthesized drum loop reminiscent of Tone-Loc's "Funky Cold Medina" before launching into a Low- era Bowie chorus propelled by a wall of mind- numbing distortion. "Son" is a summer's day samba disguised as a heartfelt lullaby to the kid Weiland never had. And you might recognize "Mockingbird Girl" from its short- lived airtime on commercial alternative radio. While the original was played straight with basic production, the 12 Bar Blues version is a bit more artsy and definitely noisier. This one's better.

Weiland is taking some risks with this record's release. Having had help from avant- gardener/ superproducer Daniel Lanois, Weiland's 12 Bar Blues is not just a deeply personal record, but also a very intelligent one. Sit down, dial area code 206 and turn it up.

-Ryan Schreiber