Talk Show, the band created by former Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo, bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz, would have been more accurately named Stone Temple Pilots II.One of the few differences between Talk Show and STP is the addition of former 10-Inch Men vocalist Dave Coutts, whose voice and style is very similar to STP vocalist Scott Weiland. However, when listening to Talk Show’s self-titled debut, you can’t help feeling like something is missing – besides Weiland, of course.Whereas Weiland’s voice was always the main focus of the song, Coutts’ voice seems to get lost in the music and is missing Weiland’s attitude, which made people take notice of STP. For instance, in Talk Show’s single “Hello Hello,” it’s as if Coutts is straining his voice to fight a useless battle with the guitar, bass and drums.Talk Show has retained STP’s 1970s – influenced, classic rock sound, as in tracks like “Ring Twice” and “John.”However, some songs are more experimental for the band. “Peeling An Orange,” for example, relates the title to environmental concerns with lyrics like, “Can’t stand the grocery store/Are there orchards anymore/Blow up the breakwater/Still water breeds disease.” The song features a harmonica and begins with an acoustic guitar before the rhythm section kicks in.”Fill the Fields,” features acoustic guitar, as well as piano, but manages to make Talk Show sound like a cheesy lounge act covering a nursery-school song – especially with lyrics like: “Tomorrow it’s better to know you have said/Tomorrow show something else instead.” The piano doesn’t really belong in the song, and Coutts has a sing-song quality to his voice that makes it difficult to take him seriously.During the introspective ballad “Behind,” Coutts sounds disturbingly similar to Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, but without the irritating whiny element. The lyrics add to the similarity – for example “Painted numbers/and sonic slumbers/Fool who think he knows it/but he can’t show the way he really feels.” The entire song is very “Soma”-esque, but fortunately the keyboard and the oboe add a unique quality, while the guitar keeps the Talk Show rock element present.Although Talk Show has some redeeming qualities, this release is something that has to grow on you. Unfortunately, it never really takes root and can be easily weeded from your mind by a more memorable band. Talk Show is aptly named, because their debut, much like a Television talk show, is something that you’re not quite sure you want to experience.