by Der Kommissar Las Vegas, NV (USA Reviewed on January 7th, 2005
Stone Temple Pilots (AKA Purple) (1994.) Stone Temple Pilots' second album.
Classic nineties alternative rockers Stone Temple Pilots came onto the musical scene in 1992 with their debut album, Core. The album scored Scott Weiland's band a number of alternative rock hits, and both the album and the group that had released it became very popular. It's not surprising that the group wanted to follow the album up, and try to top it. They released their second, self-titled album in 1994 (the album is also known as Purple.) Read on for my review of this album, and see if it tops Core.
Does this album top Core? The short answer is yes. Core ws an excellent album - one of my favorite alternative rock albums of all time. But, the band's second album improves on the Core formula in pretty much every way imaginable. Much like Core before it, this album had a number of big hits. There's the classic, melodic rock of Interstate Love Song and Vasoline, along with the alternative rock power ballad (if you could call it such) Big Empty, and the straight-up, all-out hard rock assault of Unglued. These hits are some of the band's best of all, and it doesn't surprise me in the least that they still get played on most alternative/hard rock radio stations. But as with any album, you've got to go beyond the hits to fully appreciate this one. The opener, Meat Plow, is one of the group's most underrated tunes. Other underrated works include Kitchenware And Candybars and Silvergun Superman. But the most underrated tunes on the album are the acoustic ones. Beign the kind of group they are, it shocked me how well the band could do songs of this styling - but they more than succeeded, in my book. Most fans of the group call this the band's strongest album. I'm not really the type that likes to play favorites, but if I had to choose a favorite, this would probably be the one I'd pick. It's a must-own for nineties alternative rock fans.
There's only one version of this album readily available in America, and it's not likely there will be other editions available here soon - this version does the job just fine. I DO have a huge complaint though - THE PACKAGING DOES NOT HAVE THE TRACKLIST ANYWHERE ON THE OUTSIDE. If the album is ever reissued for some reason, I am hoping this will be corrected. In addition to the twelve normal album tracks, there is a hidden bonus track - just keep waiting after Kitchenware And Candybars ends, and after a few moments the (rather comical) bonus track will begin playing. That's all I can really say for edition notes.
This album made the Stone Temple Pilots into a household name, and appropriately so. This is the band in their prime, doing what they do best. It's not surprising in the least that so many people call this album their favorite work from the group, or that so many radio stations still play songs from it. Like alternative rock? Buy this album.
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