Shangri-LA DEE DA

Stone Temple Pilots | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Label: Atlantic 0191
• Copyright: 2001 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
• Genres: Alternative Rock/American Alternative
• ASIN: B00122X4AS
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated swan song, November 10, 2005

By 

Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shangri-La Dee Da (Audio CD)

Initially written off as Pearl Jam clones, Stone Temple Pilots turned out to be one of the finest rock bands of the 1990s. Their first three albums "Core," (1992) "Purple," (1994) and "Tiny Music...Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop" (1996) were among the best selling rock albums of the 90s and spawned many memorable singles that remain radio staples to this day.

Unfortunately Scott Weiland's drug busts and inner band turmoil stopped the LA quartet dead in their tracks.

The mid-to-late 90s saw Stone Temple Pilots go on a three year hiatus. During this time Dean and Robert DeLeo, (guitar, bass) and Eric Kretz (drums) formed the band Talk Show with singer Dave Coutts for their 1997 self-titled album. The following year saw the release of Scott Weiland's "12 Bar Blues." While both albums were strong, they failed to match the sales of Stone Temple Pilots. Unable to find commercial success without the other, Weiland and the rest of Stone Temple Pilots reconciled for 1999's "No4." The album was a strong return to form and the band regained their status as one of rocks premier acts. The band returned two years later for 2001s fifth and final "Shangri-LA DEE DA."

"Shangri-LA DEE DA" is probably the most underappreciated album in STP's catalogue. Sales were hurt because the band didn't initially tour to support the album and also because it failed to receive a huge push by Atlantic. The album stalled at Gold, thus becoming the only STP album failing to achieve platinum status. The album consequently slid under the radar of the general public, who to this day remain unaware of what a fine album Stone Temple Pilots swan song really is.

Much like "No4," "Shangri-LA DEE DA" takes its cue from the first three STP albums. It mixes the grunge trimmings of "Core," the craft of "Purple," and the retro psychedelic-glam twist of "Tiny Music." But compared to "No4," "Shangri-LA DEE DA" is more refined, more polished, and ultimately a superior album.

The opening "Dumb Love" with Weiland's baritone growl over distorted guitars sounds a lot like vintage "Core" era STP, akin to "Dead and Bloated" and "Sex Type Thing," but with maybe a little more color. The album's leap into power-pop with the super infectious "Days of the Week," echoes the styling of "Tiny Music." "Coma" acts like a hybrid of the two, recalling the grunge aspects of "Core", but with the pop-sensibility of "Tiny Music." The riff and groove from "Hollywood Bitch" comes straight out of Jimmy Page's songbook, making the song analogous to "Misty Mountain Hop." The band demonstrates its pop-craft mastery with the stunning "Wonderful." The off-center, light-as-a-feather, somewhat bittersweet, Bowie-esque "Black Again," is dazzling, reeling the listener in by the hook and refusing to let go. The trippy "Hello its Late" takes it cue from "Black Again," but is considerably more spacey and subdued, but never dull. The melodic solo comes out of left-field, making the song all the more satisfying. The album comes back to earth for ultra-catchy, ode to Courtney Love "Too Cool Queenie." With its infectious hook, melody, and sing-along chorus, this is easily one of the best songs the band ever penned, and could have been a huge hit, had it been released as a single. The manic "Regeneration," changes the pace, taking the listener on an aggressive left-turn. While not the album's best song, it keeps up the momentum. "Bi-Polar Bear" with its alternating semi-acoustic verse and full-throttle, but melodic chorus is another strong, intriguing cut. One of the albums best songs, "Transmissions from a Lonely Room," with its engrossing middle-eastern-esque chorus, which builds up and climaxes to its psychedelic verse, could have been another strong contender as a single. Weiland's tribute to his son, "Song for Sleeping" is touching, without sounding corny. The closing "Long Way Home" sounds a lot like the paranoid "No Way Out" from "No4," but is somewhat slowed down and more refined. It's yet another strong song and a good way to conclude the album.

While the band's earlier work may be better known, "Shangri-LA DEE DA" saw the band reach its creative and ambitious height. "Shangri-LA DEE DA" is a melting pot of many styles; early 90s grunge, psychedelic pop, and Bowie-esque-70s-glam. Ambitious and eclectic as it may be, everything works. It all adds up to a coherent, satisfying whole. An outstanding swan song, a true shame more people aren't familiar this album.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite rock release for 2001 and possibly STP's best, November 26, 2001

By 

Donnie (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shangri-La Dee Da (Audio CD)

This is without a doubt the best rock cd released this year (2001). I thought Number 4 was a solid effort, but this cd is light years better. The first 3 STP cd's are classics, but I think this is their most complete recording date. It's got everything: "Dumb Love" is a rocker that kicks the cd off, leading into the first single "Days of the Week". "Wonderful" is one of the best ballads you'll hear and you also have "Coma" and "Transmissions From a Lonely Room", both stellar tracks. In fact there really isn't a weak track on the cd. Above all you have great musicianship and Weiland's incredible vocals.

If anyone can bring rock and roll back to the forefront it's STP and "Shangri-La Dee Da.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sad display of rock knowledge...., May 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Shangri-La Dee Da (Audio CD)

Shame-faced, some anonymous reviewer has inexplicably blended the histories of two famous rock bands into one homogenized entity - a strange way of thinking that does neither outstanding group any justice.

Consider this: STP are survivors, they've been around well over ten years. Why? Let's start with "Core." "Core" is STP's workmanlike masterpiece, a "grunge-like" album that took the best aspects of many Seattle bands, including sheer melody, and wrapped it all into 12 songs of sheer hard-rock bliss.

Onto "Purple," where the melody was increased tenfold - as was new Beatlesesque songwriting abilities. Suddenly, a new aspect of this band shone through, and the sky was the limit.

STP chose to challenge folks on their third record, and some would disagree with the results of "Tiny Music." I, however, believe it to be another positive step in the band's growing evolution of unique songs. Think glam-rock, Beatles, Stones, and good old-fashioned swagger when you think of "Tiny Music."

"Number 4" brought the truth home. STP rocked hard again, keeping in sheer melodic musical delights, this time on some definite pop and even country tunes that got noticed by rock fans. A few million album sales later, and STP were still Kings of the Radio.

On their fifth record, "Shangri-La Dee Da," STP have expanded their vibe, their sound even more, if that's possible. Every single element of their past recorded history is evident within the confines of this brightly lit, orange CD case. Truly, there's something for everybody on this outstanding record. It's too painstaking to go through each track number by number, but suffice to say, this music is the real deal - it's MAGIC.

Give it a try, and pray for a sixth STP record. Lord only knows where it'll take us!!!

And don't forget, each band is its own special identity....