Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (1994)
 

Stone Temple Pilots
Purple


Ah, good ol' STP. When they released their first album, Core, in 1992 they were labeled as jumping on the grunge bandwagon. Scott was accused of being an Eddie Vedder rip off, and critics, all in all, didn't take these guys seriously. When I first heard "Plush," I was impressed, just for the fact that it sounded different to me than other grunge at the time. So when they released Purple in '94 I was blown away by the variety and consistency of the album. Every single track was good. Even the hidden track. So let's analyze them, shall we?

1. Meatplow - The album kicks off with the hard rockin' "Meatplow." This was a great way to start off the album, it shows that STP has developed their own sound now. Dean even threw in a guitar solo to mix things up a little bit. Not the most impressive of guitar solos, but a guitar solo none the less. This song accomplishes what an opening song is supposed to. 8.5/10

2. Vasoline - The second song, second single, and second most succesful single from their second album is no slouch in the awesomeness department. First of all, the odd sounding intro was produced by Robert DeLeo running his bass through a wah-pedal. Immediately after the intro, it jumps to a catchy guitar riff and not long at all after, the chorus. This song is a highlight among highlights. 9/10

3. Lounge Fly - The third song from the album almost sounds a bit psychedelic. I actually think this song goes on a little too long, but it certainly isn't bad. I like how Scott goes from a sort of talking voice to his singing voice. It gives it a bit of a unique feel along with it's intro. 7.5/10

4. Interstate Love Song - The most successful song from the album. It held a record for a time for being number one on the charts 15 weeks straight, and for good reason. This song is incredible, with it's catchy chorus, catchy guitar riffs, and catchy bass line. Not to mention it's one of Scott's best vocal efforts. Not much else to say. 9/10

5. Still Remains - Wow, the album keeps getting better. I honestly believe this is better than "ILS." This song has some "sad but beautiful at the same time" lyrics. "If you should die before me ask if you can bring a friend, pick a flower, hold your breath, and drift away." This song does take some time to sink in though. It is surprising this wasn't a single. 9/10

6. Pretty Penny - A great song strategically placed between "Still Remains" and "Silvergun Superman" It varies quite a lot from the other songs with it's accoustic guitar and bongo drums. Weiland said it was his last desperate attempt to prove to himself that he wasn't a drug addict. One of my personal favorites. Also, the last single released from the album. 8.5/10

7. Silvergun Superman - Definitely the heaviest and most aggressive song on the album. This is a good song. Problem for me is, that many of the other songs overshadow this song. This song goes on a little bit too long and can get a little repetitive after a while. 8/10

8. Big Empty - A song about doin' your girlfriend in the back of your car. This is some meaningful stuff here. Also, Scott says in a pun that drugs are his hero. Oddly enough, this is an amazing song, possibly my favorite. This is a little bit more of a slow tempo song. 9/10

9. Unglued - Definitely one of the more underrated songs on the album. This was the first song that really jumped out at me. This is one of those "chugga chugga" rock songs that never slow down. Also, there is a video on Youtube of a rottweiler dancing to this song. What else needs to be said? 8/10

10. Army Ants - This song is almost like a bipolar person. It's very slow tempo, and then BOOM! guitars are blaring and drums booming. Then slow again, then BOOM! it's going crazy again. This is the song that will take the longest for you to like. It's a pretty cool song though.7/10

11. Kitchenware & Candybars - This is the most depressing song on the album. A simple guitar riff carries it along while Scott sings the blues. I think it's about Scott and his wife trying to decide whether they want to abort their child or not. A very good closing song. One of my favorites. I'm not going to review the hidden track since I don't see a need to. It was a fun song they did talking about how/where they recorded the album and how they want it to sell. A good song for what it is. 9/10

CONCLUSION
This is a brilliant album. If you have the slightest liking of 90s rock/grunge, then get this album. If you like STP, get this album. Bottom line, if you like rock, get this album.

OVERALL SCORE
8.4/10

When I first heard the opening 2 tracks on Core "Dead and Bloated" and "Sex Type Thing" some years after their initial release, I was instantly hooked on this band and they`re probably the grunge group that I have most fondness of. Have to agree as well, that Purple is their most complete album and their defining work with its more complex and cerebral sound, but it does take a lot more to get into than the debut. Its also an amazing contrast to the third album which is very Beatlesque at times.

You`ve done a great review here of every song as well and hopefully anybody that doesn`t know this album will check it out.

Yeah, "Sex Type Thing" is a classic. One thing I've always found weird is that both "Sex Type Thing" and "Dead And Bloated" start off with the lyrics "I Am."

Thanks for the kind comment, and speaking of their third album, I may review that at some point. It always was the oddball of the first few STP albums.

Purple is one of my favorites. I think the 8.4 rating is fair for it, I don't consider it a classic, but it is a good summer album to blast.

funny, i've always considered 'Tiny Music' to be the high water mark of the group. it's when they sounded the most unique and least degenerative as a band. 'Purple' was great in that they started establishing their own voice rather than milking the trend of the day a la 'Core', but it's only when they hit that 3rd disc that they really seemed to find their stride, if only momentarily.

it's hard to pick a favorite between this and "Core"..both are such solid albums. I always felt like "No Memory" would have been a more effective lead-in to "Creep" rather than "Sin" though...as far as comparisons to Pearl Jam, I prefer STP hands-down...but I'm not much of a Pearl Jam fan

Army Ants was actually the song that I liked most from the outset. Fantastic guitar solo.

It's good to see decent "modern" rock albums like this one are still getting some play. Nobody cares about Haddaway or The Real McCoy anymore, but all the decent rock albums from the era are still being discovered again and again.

This is one of the essentials.

not as good as core, still good

7.6/10