No. 4

Stone Temple Pilots

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000021XR5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (328 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,394 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This fine band's powerful music has been often overshadowed by singer Scott Weiland's well-documented drug and legal troubles. Not to mention that STP's 1992 debut, Core, was dismissed by critics as "Seattle lite." Nonetheless, STP has managed to make four noteworthy albums, No. 4 being the latest in their solid and cohesive body of work. No. 4 is not groundbreaking, but the quartet's aggressive, dynamic hard rock is emotion-packed and timeless. Not as hit-heavy as its predecessors, No. 4 is nevertheless strong and diverse. On the gentler side, there's the lilting '60s-influenced "I Got You" and "Atlanta," which is almost Doors-like in its dreamy mood. Heavier fare includes the midtempo heavy riffing opener "Down" and the winning but not-so-subtly titled "Sex and Violence," which matches an aggressive, linear feel with a cool punk vibe. At 42 minutes, the only thing wrong with No. 4 is that there's not enough of it. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moving On, March 21, 2000

By	Bruce Caines (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There have been mixed listener reviews of this STP release. The detractors' complaints have been that No.4 doesn't sound like other STP releases. Well, they're right. But a band that puts out album after album that sounds like the previous one has found a quick way to get me to stop buying and listening. And if you are really familiar with the music of STP you know each album has been different from the one before it.

No.4 definately sounds like Stone Temple Pilots. This baby rocks. But it is clear the band has grown musically and personally. That's what you will hear in this music. Scott Weiland's vocals continue to impress as he goes from growling and menacing to Morrisonesque to a kinda edgy pop vocalist. "Sour Girl" takes an interesting musical turn, coming off with a post-punk melodic XTC vibe. "Heaven and Hot Rods" sounds like it was written for people who drive convertables. Fast. With the jams cranked till the woofer begins to tear. "Down" is vintage STP.

Let's hope Scott stays clean and out of jail as they finally get to promote No.4...a year later. There had been rumors the band would replace him if he couldn't get his act together. Well, it wouldn't be STP. Scott's vocals and song writing, no matter which style he chooses are an intergral part of the STP sound. What ever it happens to be this week.

The boys or simply moving on.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STP's best album, August 3, 2000

By	Dominick (detroit, michigan USA) - See all my reviews

No. 4 doesn't contain as many hits as their first three albums. It isn't as heavy as "Core," it isn't as catchy as "Purple," it isn't as ambitious as "Tiny Music...". So, how is it their best?

At first, it isn't. I'm sure you've read it takes time to like the album, and it's true. But after a while, you start to like it...then love it...then think of it as one of your best CDs you own.

This album is magical, mysterious , dark, isolated, angry, offhand, powerful, regretful, psychedelic and hypnotising. All in all, it has to be the best album of 1999. VERY, VEEERY underrated.

It's hard to pick a best song. "Down" and "Sour Girl" were both huge top ten hits, and they couldn't be more different sounding. "Down" is among the heaviest songs STP ever did (with absolutely AMAZING vocals), and "Sour Girl" is a catchy 60s-esque pop tune with a cool, weird video. But the singles aren't the stars on this album...

"Atlanta" has got to be the most enchanting, amazzing song I have ever heard. The bridge (that shows Scott's ever increasng vocal range) will get you HIGH. Well, not really, but it's the closest thing to it naturally...

Every song works great together here, like it's a concept album. "Pruno" could be a hit single if it were released..."Church On Tuesday" is a catchy little pop song that's instantly enjoyable..."No Way Out" is an intense, angry, mournful song about hatred for heroin and what it was doing to Scott at the time..."Sex and Violence" is a heavy, catchy rocker that is likely the next single..."Glide" is a great song after a while, adding more pschidelia to the album..."I Got You" was my favorite the first time I listened to this CD, it's a Countryish pop rocker with a great acoustic solo..."MC5" is a short, heavy rock song with a kick *ss drum line.

Buy this album. If at first you don't like it...don't sell it to a CD shop. Keep it. It will get better. I know for a fact.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WELL WORTH THE WAIT, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

It's hard to believe that ROLLING STONE only gave this album 3 out of 5 stars while continuing to champion the likes of Ol' Dirty Bastard and other talentless performers. STP delivers what is probably their heaviest album since "Core," while at the same time providing a counterbalance of dreamy, atmospheric pop a la the Beatles. Scott Weiland has never sounded better, displaying a dazzling array of vocals ranging from gritty and hoarse to almost angelic. The rest of the band is solid as ever, with Eric Kretz and Dean DeLeo locking horns to form one of the best rhyth, sections in recent rock history. The guitars on the album are generally heavy, but do at times take a break from all the noise to deliver more harmonious guitar lines. The album kicks off with the rolling "Down," the thunderous first single that recalls elements of STP's earlier hit "Sex Type Thing." "No. 4" may not be as radio-friendly as its predecessors, but it will definitely please the band's fans. It is STP's most diverse effort to date, and one that becomes increasingly enjoyable with repeated listenings.