Shangri-La Dee Da

Stone Temple Pilots | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: January 10, 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic Label
• ASIN: B00005JYEA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (247 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,938 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Shangri-La Dee Da may not be STP's most commercial outing, but the disc's 13 tracks comprise a satisfying aural journey despite its lack of quick-fix hits along the lines of "Sex Type Thing" and "Wicked Garden." From the dark, grinding rhythms and obfuscated vocals of "Dumb Love" to the lovely "Wonderful" to the buoyant power pop of "Days of the Week" to the edgy and disturbing "Coma," myriad facets of the lineup's musical temperament are explored. "Bi-Polar Bear" hints at STP's humor, though Shangri-La is by no means lightweight; singer Scott Weiland's passionate and personal lyrics--especially on a touching ode to his infant son, "A Song for Sleeping"--are affecting and apt. The fifth outing from this California crew who've survived grunge and thrived in its aftermath is masterful and mature effort from a band who've spied some light at the end of their tunnel. --Katherine Turman

Product Description

Shangri-LA DEE DA by Stone Temple Pilots

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

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

By Daniel Maltzman

Format: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. Read more ›

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

Format: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.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Does Scott Weiland write better music doped up on heroin? June 21, 2001

By R. Gorham VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I like this album, but it doesn't compare to the STP's first two releases, "Core" and Purple". The first 3-4 songs of "Shangra-La Dee Da" come out like your typical STP outing. Good old fashion rock. Then the album settles down & plays more pop oriented tunes that may or may not be radio friendly. The one thing that is always present on a STP album is "change". From the in-yer-face hard rock/grunge sound of 1992's "Core", to the classic rock & sometime 70's groovy feel of "Purple" & "Tiny Music...", to 1999's updated big bass & drums hip rock "4", to hard & soft (acoustic) "Shangri-La Dee Da". I like this album & it's grown on me big time with repeated spins. Weiland has been hot & cold in the past in dealing with his drug addiction(s), the police, bandmates, hair color and life in general... but the STP's stick thru it & continue to throw out likable music for the masses. In this day & age of corporate rock (good hard rock bands going soft for air time on the radio... like Aerosmith), it's very clear to me that this Stone Temple Pilot machine is making the music that THEY want to make, and not necessarily what we want to hear. This is a good thing & it's a theme that I wish more bands would follow. They've taken the notion "...if it feels good - do it" to a new level. Best fast song is "Dumb Love". Best slower tunes are "Days Of The Week" and "A Song For Sleeping". The musicianship & thought provoking lyrics continue to impress me. Good disc.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Their Best and Most Diverse Album to Date November 21, 2001

By "kingofrock379"

Format:Audio CD

Shangri La Dee Da is easily the Stone Temple Pilot's best album ever, the musicianship is excellent, Scott Weiland's voice is in top form, and most important of all the songs are great. There is something for everyone on this album from STP's trademark grunge inspired hard rock to meaningful ballads to straightforward pop rock....
Dumb Love 9/10 - The album's hard rocking opener, it's nothing you wouldn't expect from them, Scott's voice sounds great
Days of the Week 10/10 - The album's poppy first single, once you hear this song you won't get it out of your head
Coma 10/10 - The electronic tinged hard rock is one of STP's best songs ever, the musicianship is great, Robert DeLeo's amazing bass playing shines on this song
Hollywood B@*ch 9/10 - This is another standard rocker, just think Big Band Baby on steroids
Wonderful 10/10 - The first ballad on the album and most likely their next single, the lyrics are great
Black Again 8/10 - This is a mellow rocker, nothing else to really say about it
Hello It's Late 10/10 - The second ballad on the album, similar to Wonderful but different and just as good, STP shows that they have a talent for writing great ballads
Too Cool Queenie 10/10 - My personal favorite on the album, the lyrics are definately about the Kurt Cobain/Courtney Love story, though the band won't say anything about it, the music is great especially the guitar
Regeneration 7/10 - Another strong song, not as good as some of the others but still a good listen
Bi-Polar Bear 6/10 - The third and weakest ballad on the album, still not a bad song but compared to the rest of the album this is song that I'm most likely to skip when I'm listening to it
Transmissions from a Lonely Room 10/10 - This song is the equivalent of Crackerman on this album, it's an uptempo hard rock song
A Song for Sleeping 9/10 - The final ballad on the album, it's a great song written by Scott Weiland about his son
Long Way Home 8/10 - The album closes with this midtempo rocker, not a bad song but one of the weaker songs on the album
Overall this album is prefect, anyone who says that STP lost their edge should really take a listen to the album Read more ›