Stone Temple Pilots’ ‘No. 4’ Reflects Turmoil

** 1/2

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS

“No. 4”

Atlantic

If originality were the measure of a good rock band, Stone Temple Pilots would hardly get out of the gate. Neither its pastiche of hard-rock and classic-pop archetypes, nor singer Scott Weiland’s very public struggle with his vices adds a new wrinkle to rock lore.

But in its new album, the snake-bitten Los Angeles quartet--whose initial success was accompanied by critical carping about its grunge bandwagon-jumping, and which now faces an uncertain future with Weiland serving time--offers a reminder that innovation sometimes counts less than perspiration.

If “No. 4” (due in stores Tuesday) bears marks of the turmoil that has overtaken the band, it also rocks with an extra measure of determination, as if the band were pushing to shake those demons. So what if they get it done by posing as Jane’s Addiction?

Beyond its core of pummeling power hooks, “No. 4” is diverse to the point of unraveling, moving through a mix of grand, Bowie-esque art-rock, a country-tinged description of an addict’s hunger and a lilting, Doors-like ballad. “No. 4” is often spirited, but it’s also too unfocused to make these lyrics about losing it all ring as true as they should from Weiland and company.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.