No 4

It was all because of drugs. The whole thing, because of drugs. It's why 'alternative' music is just another exercise in dollar-grabbing and it's why Stone Temple Pilots' fourth album - the inspiration-free 'No 4' - is such a gutless musical dead end.

True, critics have always hated Stone Temple Pilots, accusing them of hopping on the grunge bandwagon, and singling out frontman Scott Weilandas a shameless Vedder copyist. Not entirely fair, as it happens - 1994's 'Purple' LP wore grunge's only pair of rose-tinted glasses, and was all the better for it. But Weiland's descent into heroin addiction has left 'No 4' spiritually empty.

", in a reaffirmation of his narcotic vows. But as moments of clarity go, it's a deeply sad one.

'No 4'? It's the sound of corporate whores meeting a particularly messy demise.