Stone Temple Pilots

[Orbert]

The new self-titled album, or the band in general.  I'm a big fan of both, as it turns out, although I did just pick up the new album today.  What I've heard so far is excellent.

I was watching the Palladia (MTV's HD music channel) concert of STP Live in Chicago the other night, and it was great.  It's why I knew I had to pick up the new album, today, which was release day.  My wife said she was surprised because I usually don't "waste my time" with straight-on rock or metal.  There has to be at least some prog to it.  They were playing "Plush" at the time, and I said "But listen to these chords.  Those are major ninths right there.  Listen to how the bass isn't just playing roots and fifths, he's providing motion and giving the chords even more color by playing all kinds of stuff."  STP are not a by-the-numbers grunge band.

True, Weiland has had some serious substance abuse problems in the past, and I've heard of some pretty bad STP shows because of it.  But man, when these guys are on, they are on.  Super tight and super sharp.  Weiland has one of my all-time favorite rock voices.  I love the way DeLeo chooses and voices his chords; it sounds so simple but it's not; he's got all kinds of crazy inversions going on.  And as mentioned, his bro just makes it sweeter with his choice of bass notes.  And Kretz always has that big, killer sound.

Appreciate. 

[Jarlaxle]

*appreciates*

[Zook]

Stone Temple Pilots

Are terrible.

[black_biff_stadler]

Couldn't agree with you more orby. STP is top-to-bottom one of the strongest creative units I've ever heard. Rob's use of fretless bass is brilliantly dynamic in its ability to steal the show in some songs while providing just the occasional ear-tickling fill in others all the while showing a sense of melodic maturity rare in mainstream rock. Eric Kretz is right on par with Martin Lopez in terms of fitting in excellently with their respective bands' sounds despite having styles so unique the average listener wouldn't associate their styles with the genres their bands play in.

[King Postwhore]

On of the last rock acts to care about solos. I  STP.

[El Barto]

I pretty much despise all the radio singles and enjoy the the other songs.  Take away Vasoline, Interstate Love Song, Unglued and Big Empty, and the Purple album is seriously bad ass. 

[Dr. DTVT]

Their first album had a bunch of good songs.  Didn't care for the second album as much then pretty much forgot about them.

[Dr. SeaWolf]

I loved the grunge-metal thing they had going on with the first album (that album has some seriously awesome riffs), but I wasn't too fond of the glam-rock direction they went in after that.

[Orbert]

So I finished my first full listen to the new album, and I have to say I'm a little disappointed.  Not a lot, and not overall.  Overall, it's still a great album, and I'm hoping it will keep growing.

I've always loved their variety, how they can deftly go from face-smashing heaviness to beautiful melodies and harmonies, and I kept waiting for another really good face smasher, but it never came.  Where's the next "Down" or "Wicked Garden"?  I don't want clones of those songs, no, but after completely exploring their melodic side, I was ready to get heavy again, and it didn't happen.  The opening track is the hardest-hitting it gets.

..all the while showing a sense of melodic maturity rare in mainstream rock.

This.  It's their sense of melody and harmony, which is accentuated when they hit you with dissonace and cacaphony, that I love.  But there must be balance.  I need that dark side of STP, too.  "Where the River Goes", "Lounge Fly", etc.  I miss that.

[73109]

Love the first 2 albums, after that is meh.

Just saw them and Weiland doesn't have the grunge bite in his voice anymore. Its sad.

[Orbert]

It's become a very nice, glorious voice for... I don't know, "easy listening"?  There were three or four songs in a row (starting with "Dare If You Dare") where I just thought Fuck, this sounds great!   But it ain't the ass-kicking STP I was expecting based on the first couple of songs.  It's still great stuff, but it just doesn't have the kick.

The concert vid was only an hour counting commercials, so obviously it wasn't the whole show, but it only included two new songs, and a lot of serious rockers from the first two albums.  They still rock the hell out of those older songs, so it seems weird that they don't come up with any of that in the studio anymore.

[King Postwhore]

Bands do go through different stages of style and I'd bet that STP will go heavy again.  The did with #4.

[Birch Boy]

I've been thinking of making a Stone Temple Pilots thread but looks like I was beat to it  . I downloaded the deluxe version of the new album two days ago, and will probably listen to it later today. My favorite albums are No. 4 and Tiny Music...Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop.

[Orbert]

I'm slightly annoyed that I didn't know there was a deluxe version until yesterday.  I bought the regular version on Tuesday, and I'm not gonna double dip just for the four bonus tracks.

Listening to their older stuff yesterday, it's really a bit shocking how much their sound has changed over only five albums.  They started so heavy, but with a mellow melodic side.  Now that's been completely reversed.

[Birch Boy]

I'm slightly annoyed that I didn't know there was a deluxe version until yesterday.  I bought the regular version on Tuesday, and I'm not gonna double dip just for the four bonus tracks.

I thought someone had asked me about the deluxe version in the chat thread... I though I remembered it being you but perhaps I'm mistaken.

[EPICVIEW]

I got the deluxe, really not knowing there was any other version

I like it so far, favorite track is 6 or 11

[Neccy60]

Never really liked Stone Temple Pilots except for one song.  And now I don't at all.

[Orbert]

I'm slightly annoyed that I didn't know there was a deluxe version until yesterday.  I bought the regular version on Tuesday, and I'm not gonna double dip just for the four bonus tracks.

I thought someone had asked me about the deluxe version in the chat thread... I though I remembered it being you but perhaps I'm mistaken.

It wasn't me.  I don't think I've ever gone into the chat threads.

[Orbert]

Resurrecting my own thread from a year and a half ago because I guess there aren't that many STP fans around here, but I just listened to the entire catalogue, in order, over the past two days and I still think these guys are awesome.

But man, I miss their really heavy side. I'm so conflicted. It went away when they all cleaned up their acts, or actually their personal affairs. I mean, read between the lines.

[Phoenix87x]

I love Core, its one of my favorite albums from my childhood. Great from beginning to end. 

Don't really care for any of the other albums though.

[King Postwhore]

I really dug the new album Orbert even though it wasn't as heavy as others.

[Orbert]

Man it sounds great, the melodies and harmonies; I've always loved that side of them too.  I just wish there was one good face-smasher on the latest one.

[WebRaider]

Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) new singer for STP? Hard to feel bad for Scott Weiland (get your shit together already). Surprised they put this together so quickly and have released a song already. I have been a distant LP fan but the new STP song sounds like Bennington could fit and make some quality new music while not being too different than their past. Not sure how all of this will go forward but pretty interesting news regardless.

[Nel]

When I saw the news that he was singing for them now, "what the actual fuck?" crossed my mind. XD

[Orbert]

I hadn't heard about that.  I actually totally forgot about STP, or this thread.

If they get a new singer, they should call it a different band, like they did with Talk Show.

[WebRaider]

I hadn't heard about that.  I actually totally forgot about STP, or this thread.

If they get a new singer, they should call it a different band, like they did with Talk Show.

Personally I don't think that's fair to the band. While I can agree they were at their best when Weiland was somewhat functional; the band is REALLY GOOD and deserve just as much respect as he does in regards to the name of the band. The Deleo's are great writers and musicians and are just as much responsible for what they were able to accomplish as a band. Its BS that they've had to put up with Scott's mess all these years and lost who knows how much time and musical material that could have been created waiting for his drugged out ass....

Sorry I used to be a big fan of Weiland as an artist but fed the F' up with the druggie mentality. It's old news and that BS is pretty much why you are likely to have forgotten about this band...

[Mindflux]

Chester Bennington... in STP.

I guess I'd have to hear their older tracks with him singing to judge it.. but man that just doesn't sound like the right fit.

[DebraKadabra]

Chester Bennington... in STP.

I guess I'd have to hear their older tracks with him singing to judge it.. but man that just doesn't sound like the right fit.

It's not.

[WebRaider]

Video with Chester and the band from KROQ further discussing the grouping....

https://cbsrla.cbsradio.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=8895899&at1=General010&h1=Bennington STP Interview&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

[Orbert]

I hadn't heard about that.  I actually totally forgot about STP, or this thread.

If they get a new singer, they should call it a different band, like they did with Talk Show.

Personally I don't think that's fair to the band. While I can agree they were at their best when Weiland was somewhat functional; the band is REALLY GOOD and deserve just as much respect as he does in regards to the name of the band. The Deleo's are great writers and musicians and are just as much responsible for what they were able to accomplish as a band. Its BS that they've had to put up with Scott's mess all these years and lost who knows how much time and musical material that could have been created waiting for his drugged out ass....

Sorry I used to be a big fan of Weiland as an artist but fed the F' up with the druggie mentality. It's old news and that BS is pretty much why you are likely to have forgotten about this band...

Those are some good points.  I guess what it comes down to is whether or not it's any good, and if it still sounds like Stone Temple Pilots.  When you have a certain sound, it seems like you'd want to keep it, more or less, if possible.  I love Weiland's voice and consider it a big part of the STP sound, but it's not like he's the only one who can sing like that.  Why not get someone with the same kind of voice?

[Phoenix87x]

Core kicks ass and is one of my favorite albums

and despite trying my best to get into the other albums, they just don't do it for me 

[black_biff_stadler]

RIP STP:

1986-2013


Fuck this Chester Bennington shit. His voice is way too trebly and unmanly to convincingly pull off anything remotely resembling Scott's voice. Beyond that, STP has an extremely large fan base and there were obviously hundreds of other better options out there. It's pretty obvious they took the "make money, put asses in the seats, and sell albums" route. Considering that Weiland cost them a ludicrous amount of money during their prime, I won't really hold it against them but I definitely won't be buying any STP albums with CB singing. It was enough of a charity act buying Talk Show's album back in '97.

[Orbert]

I never did check out Talk Show, like I meant to about a hundred times.  How was it?

[black_biff_stadler]

If you're like me and considered Tiny Music to be a noticeable decline from Core/Purple, you'll likely consider it to be even worse than TM. If you're forgiving toward them making filler-heavy material, there may be a bone for you.

[Orbert]

I didn't think Tiny Music was horrible, but I definitely don't listen to it as often as the first two albums.  Number 4 IMO went a bit too far the other way; I like the heavy, but again, it's the variety and balance that's cool.