Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best and most Consitent Records I've Ever Heard., September 1, 1998
By A Customer
Its hard to believe the mediocro review I've read on this one. This is one of my all time favorite records. This is one of the few records that I can think of that (for me) does not have a single weak track on it. Everyone of them I like and I really dig. To me, this is like a greatist hits collections ... save it is a regular album. I cannot think of a single album that every track works this well (save I guess for Led Zep IV ... but the last cut on that I like now, but it took to grow on me). Its like I feel everyone of these songs could be a hit grunge single. This is Sixteen Stone on a bigger scale. Sixteen stone, the five hit singles off of that everyone of them I really dig, espically Comedown, Glycerine, Machine Head, and Little Things (dang, just about name all five ; )). Any album that has songs like that has to be awsome ... espically five of them. This whole record is like that for me. Even the end track ... kind of like a silly novelty track. (Its screams Yellow Submarine, which is the ultimate noveltry track). Everyone of them I made a connection too instantly, and dug instantly. (I can't say that about even Sgt Pepper, which is one of my all time favorit records ... should read my review on that one on Amazon ... I'm the one that says they tried to take us on a Magical Mystery Tour and they succeded with that record Sgt Pepper.).The funny thing about it is, to me this record is two tracks short. I could have sworn on all holy that Dancing Days was on there. In fact, I never knew it was a Zep song untill I was taping off Houses of the Holy (another great record btw) off the Radio and that came on. That reallly tripped me out. So I went to this record thinking it was on here trying to find it. I findly found the track on Encomium (Led Zep Tribute Album). I still think of that has a STP song, and it (the Zep version) seems weird and unnatural, altho' I do like it. The next is Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart which is on their next record. It would have fit perfectly with this CD. Same quality, same mood, same everything. Its the lost Purple track. I dig it as much as I dig the whole of this album. This is one of my fav's of all time, the whole thing is extremly catchy. There is not a single bad tune on it, and that is saying a lot. Many bands have different songs I really love a lot (like I Alone by Live), but none of the grunge bands have crammed this many onto one album. The WHOLE album is great. The closet someone comes to this is Bush on Sixteen Stone. (Sorry ... is it just me but save for the some of the songs on the first side, did Razorblade Suitcase pretty much suck and Deconstructed absoletly horrible?)
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42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A surprisingly diverse, eccentric album., April 19, 2000
Accused of mimicking Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots took two years after its debut (1992's core) to produce this astounding, strange, and utterly fascinating album containing some of the band's best compositions, a newer, better sense of lyrics, and better performances all around.Purple is almost pop-music in its songwriting approach, with emphasis on big, throbbing hooks, sharp production, and execution. "Meat Plow" opens the album on a sneer and a bristling beat, and then "Vasoline" announces the band's intent to experiment. Two notes on a guitar tell the story, and Scott Weiland's unusually nuanced singing combine for the strangest grunge anthem since Alice in Chains' "Would?". "Pretty Penny" finds the band in dreamy territory with its best ballad ever, hands down, Weiland's singing evocative and emotive; "Big Empty" has dynamics and huge surges of guitar; "Still Remains" is infectious in its melody, imagery and sexual tension; and "Interstate Love Song" is another anthemic crunch a la "Plush", the biggest modern-rock hit of its time (a record it held until a year or two ago). The album suckerpunches yet again at the end with the incredibly weird but maddeningly catchy lounge tune (not performed by the band) that thumbs its nose at conventional album recording and is another showcase of the sense of humour that Stone Temple Pilots have begun to mine. Very worthy, very catchy rock and roll; an album that begins to carve STP an identity independent of its forerunners.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The album that silenced the critics, August 30, 2001
After STP's debut Core stormed the charts back in 1992, the band were dismissed as mere Pearl Jam / Nirvana grunge copyists, an inferior version if you will. Personally I thought Core was a cracking album, loud guitars mixed with an ear for a fine melody which compared to today's production line of ready made multi-million sellers like Godsmack, Creed and Staind - now seems ludicrous to think STP were savaged by many critics. It's a good job second album Purple became the band's best release to date as it made all those who weren't impressed with STP when they burst onto the scene eat their words. How could anyone dismiss an album containing songs of Big Empty and Vasoline caliber. Here's a breakdown of each track:
Meatplow: Could easily be a Core outtake, the most `grunge' track here. The sound production is muddy and lacks the charm of the tracks that follow. Still an excellent heavy track though 8/10
Vasoline: The first single and what a storming song! Fast guitar playing and an excellent bridge, great to sing along to. One of the highlights 10/10
Lounge Fly: The weird opening and distinctive guitar line make for one of the most unusual tracks on Purple. Love the acoustic guitars that come in and the beautiful singing by Scott Weiland 9/10
Interstate Love Song: The most well-known track and hit single. It's not hard to see why it became so successful with infectious hooks and a catchy chorus to satisfy the fans. 9/10
Still Remains: The best track on the album in my opinion. Gives me goose bumps just thinking about the fantastic melodies. 10/10
Pretty Penny: Pure acoustic number, harmless enough but the songwriting is top notch 8/10
Silver Gun Superman: When I first heard the album back in '94 this was my fav track. Big rock song and immediate crowd pleaser 9/10
Big Empty: Similar in style to Still Remains, and if I recall taken from on The Crow soundtrack. This track was included at the last minute. Sort of country sounding but in an alternative way of course. 8/10
Unglued: Real rock moment, also in the same mould as Vasoline - fast and repetitive chorus over loud guitars 9/10
Army Ants: The least memorable track, which although great seems lost amongst the good stuff 8/10
Kitchen Ware & Candy Bars: Closing on a quiet and poignant note about being sold down the river. I prefer this to Pretty Penny as it reminds me of Nirvana's Something In The Way with a moving string arrangement playing in the background. 9/10
The hidden track is amusing singing about 12 gracious melodies (as shown on the album's back cover on a cake), played straight-faced giving an indication of the direction taken on some tracks off Tiny Music such as Lady Picture Show. Notice how the track ratings did not drop below 8/10 - that's because EVERY single track is of a high standard - all killer, no filler. Also their biggest selling album which is no surprise really.
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