Album: 12 Bar Blues

Introduction
"12 Bar Blues" is the debut solo album by Scott Weiland, the previous diva of the alternative rock bands Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. Released on March 17, 1998, the album is a substantial departure from Weiland's previous work, showcasing a more eclectic and speculative sound. In contrast to the grunge and alternative rock styles that dominated his previous projects, "12 Bar Blues" sees Weiland checking out numerous musical categories, including trip-hop, psychedelic rock, and even jazz. This shift in noise shows his desire to expand his musical horizons, along with to express his own individual demons through his artistry.

Production and Recording
"12 Bar Blues" was produced by Scott Weiland and Blair Lamb, with additional production from Daniel Lanois, who is especially understood for his cooperations with U2 and Peter Gabriel. The album was recorded at various places, consisting of Weiland's house studio and Daniel Lanois' Kingsway Studio in New Orleans. The process was an unconventional one, with Weiland frequently taping his vocals in separate places and at various times, which added to the album's total disjointed and speculative feel.

Musical Style and Themes
The music on "12 Bar Blues" showcases Scott Weiland's diverse taste in categories, ranging from the trip-hop inspired opening track "Desperation No. 5" to the psychedelic rock-influenced "Barbarella". The album also features a strong jazz impact on tracks like "Cool Kiss" and "The Date". While the album does contain some touches of alternative rock reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots, these moments are few and far between. Rather, Weiland focuses on a more exploratory and progressive noise.

Lyrically, "12 Bar Blues" delves deep into Weiland's personal struggles, including his fight with drug dependency and tumultuous relationships. The album is reflective and confessional, with Weiland exposing his vulnerabilities and raw feelings through metaphors and poetic lyricism. Tracks such as "Where's the Man" and "Divider" communicate a sense of hopelessness and misery, while "Son" serves as a touching homage to Weiland's first-born child.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release in 1998, "12 Bar Blues" received blended reviews from critics. Some praised Weiland's creative growth and experimentation, while others felt that the album lacked cohesion and focus, struggling to discover its identity among the different musical styles. In spite of this, the album handled to debut at No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing Weiland's continued business appeal.

Over two decades later, the album has actually gathered something of a cult following, with lots of fans valuing the risk-taking and imaginative aspiration displayed by Weiland throughout the record. The album is definitely not for everyone, and those expecting an extension of Stone Temple Pilots' noise may be disappointed. However, "12 Bar Blues" stands as a testament to Scott Weiland's desire to push borders and difficulty himself as an artist, making it an interesting and beneficial listen for those ready to accept its non-traditional nature.

Conclusion
"12 Bar Blues" marks a substantial departure from Scott Weiland's deal with Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, showcasing a more eclectic and speculative sound. The album is a testimony to Weiland's artistic development and desire to explore different musical genres. While it got mixed evaluations upon its release, the album has actually gained a cult following throughout the years, appreciated for its unconventionality and raw emotion. In the years following Weiland's awful passing in 2015, "12 Bar Blues" acts as a valuable insight into the mind of a distressed, yet uniquely talented artist, and as a reminder of the innovative capacity that was lost with his untimely death.