 By June 2009 , the band had written eighteen songs , twelve of which were planned to be released on the album , with B @-@ sides for Japan , the United Kingdom , and Europe selected from the remaining songs . Recording began in early 2009 , at times taking place in three studios simultaneously . Bass lines and overdubs were recorded at <unk> Studio , located in the basement of Robert 's house . The majority of " Cinnamon " and " First Kiss on Mars " , including drums , were recorded in Robert 's home studio . Dean 's guitars were recorded at Kretz 's Bomb Shelter Studios , and Weiland 's vocals were recorded at his Lavish Studios . By early December , nine songs had been finished , and the entire record was completed later that month . Mixing began in January 2010 with Chris Lord @-@ Alge , and mastering for the album was completed in February by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound . Robert described the overall feel of the album as having a " ' 60s vibe . " Though previous albums explored new sounds , Weiland acknowledged that the new album would be a " back @-@ to @-@ basics rock record . " 
