If you already love Stone Temple Pilots and Filter separately, this may be the ultimate drive. If you cherish variety in your Rock N’ Roll, then you must ultimately buy, beg, borrow or steal this art collection from your friends, enemies or anyone else with good taste in music. Believe me folks, this is the real deal. Army of Anyone is the kind of band with the brand of quality output that should be heard by all.
I always say that the first single is almost never the best song on the album, and as I listen to “Goodbye”, the second track of an advance copy of AOA, I cannot wait to hear it be toppled by another song that I am sure the Deleos have up their sleeves. “Generation”, the third track, contains an amazing Dean Deleo solo, soaked in bending emotion and a nod to Joe Walsh I'd say.
The fourth track, "A Better Place" enters with some nice acoustic guitars and those great STP Jazz chords. The sonic painting continues with a pleasant chorus that harkens back to Jane's Addiction's mellow side. Patrick's voice seems to show more depth in this work than previous efforts. This album certainly proves that this man can sing in ANY style. His entire range and tone choices are utilized. The next track, “Non Stop” is a great rocker with this amazing instrumental breakdown in a guitar army fashion. I am hearing new things from ALL members.
“Stop Look and Listen’ is a song that reminds me of the best things STP took from the 70’s. This song is complete with great chord changes that descend into an equally impressive pre-chorus. The chorus is sweet, however, the bridge of the song is what really shines though.
“Ain’t Enough” is another great mid tempo rocker that showcases the Filter singers voice again with great melody and nice harmonies, plus the guy is a great wordsmith to boot.
Arguably the heaviest track on this record, the extreme sounding “Father Figure” is laced with Patrick’s screeching vocal gymnastics and nice deep sounding guitars. A likely radio track, this song definitely kills in the best way possible.
“Leave it” is a song that sounds like it could have been stored away in the vault all these years since the STP “Purple” sessions. It truly is a showcase for Dean Deleo's slide work. To tell you the truth this record is probably the biggest showcase for individual musicianship in the DeLeo Brothers work. The bass playing is just amazing throughout, many tones, many great lines. Not to mention, Luzier’s drumming throughout this recording is top-shelf! Despite their name, not just ANYONE could have possibly come up with this mixture of musicians. Its as if a 5th element was created here because all 4 members are so talented.
The last track “This Wasn't Supposed to Happen" is in my opinion one of the best on the record. The opening of the song has a great Lesle speaker cabinet effect of the guitars that I can only guess was learned directly from Joe Walsh (Dean played with his idol along with his brother for some dates a few years back). The piece has a great melody that reminds me of Coldplay in the verse, opens up to great changes in the music and then finishes off with a massively long, but not long enough, acoustic guitar solo with amazing phrases, a first for Dean. The song then shuts down to just some strummed chords and a single note line.
All in all, I cannot say enough about this record. Even if only one of these songs become a hit with radio, they ALL will be a hit with your soul if you love music as much as I do.
