Description
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple – Cassette
Canadian Pressing
Atlantic Records 82607
Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple (1994) is the band’s highly successful second album, which solidified their place as one of the most important bands of the 1990s alternative rock scene. Released at the height of the grunge movement, Purple showcases STP’s ability to blend grunge’s gritty, heavy sound with more melodic, radio-friendly rock, making the album both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Purple debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and features some of the band’s most well-known tracks, including ‘Interstate Love Song,’ ‘Vasoline,’ and ‘Big Empty.’
The album is noted for its combination of heavy guitar riffs, introspective lyrics, and frontman Scott Weiland’s evolving vocal style, which moves fluidly between grunge’s rawness and more melodic, nuanced delivery. Purple marked a significant progression in the band’s sound, incorporating elements of psychedelia, classic rock, and acoustic balladry, expanding beyond the grunge template that characterized their debut album, Core.
While Purple is rooted in the grunge sound, with heavy riffs and dark, introspective lyrics, it also features more melodic, polished rock elements. Songs like ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Big Empty’ have a smoother, more accessible sound, with acoustic textures and more traditional rock arrangements, showcasing the band’s growing versatility.
Guitarist Dean DeLeo shines throughout the album with his ability to balance hard-hitting riffs on tracks like ‘Vasoline’ with more atmospheric, textured playing on ‘Big Empty’ and ‘Pretty Penny.’ His use of layers and dynamics gives the album a more expansive sound, incorporating elements of psychedelic rock and blues.
Scott Weiland’s vocals on Purple show a significant evolution from the deeper, gruffer style of their debut. He demonstrates a wider range of emotional and vocal dynamics, from the raw, strained intensity of ‘Vasoline’ to the more delicate, soulful delivery on ‘Big Empty’ and ‘Interstate Love Song.’ Weiland’s lyrics also delve into more personal themes of addiction, fame, and relationships.
Key Tracks
“Interstate Love Song”: One of the band’s biggest hits, ‘Interstate Love Song’ features a blend of acoustic and electric guitars, with a catchy, melodic chorus that contrasts with its darker lyrical themes of deception and guilt. The song’s infectious melody and accessible sound made it a massive success, and it remains one of Stone Temple Pilots’ most recognizable tracks.
“Vasoline”: Built around a sludgy, fuzz-laden guitar riff, ‘Vasoline’ captures the rawer side of the band’s sound while still maintaining a hook-driven structure. The song’s lyrics, which deal with feelings of alienation and being trapped, are reflective of Weiland’s struggles with addiction.
“Big Empty”: Originally featured on the The Crow soundtrack, ‘Big Empty’ is a moody, bluesy track that builds from a quiet, acoustic intro to a powerful, electric crescendo. The song’s reflective lyrics and atmospheric feel make it a standout on the album.
“Unglued”: A fast, aggressive track that harkens back to the grunge sound of Core, ‘Unglued’ features a driving rhythm and intense vocals from Weiland. It captures the more chaotic, wild side of the band’s music.
“Pretty Penny”: This acoustic-driven song showcases the band’s softer, more experimental side. With its stripped-back instrumentation and folk-inspired melodies, ‘Pretty Penny’ provides a contrast to the heavier tracks on the album.
Many of the songs on Purple touch on themes of addiction, particularly Weiland’s own struggles with drugs, which were becoming more public at the time. Tracks like ‘Vasoline’ and ‘Unglued’ express feelings of being trapped or disconnected, with lyrics that reflect the chaos and disorientation of addiction.
The theme of deception, both personal and romantic, is central to tracks like ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Big Empty.’ These songs deal with the consequences of lies and the emotional turmoil that comes with them, with Weiland exploring the complexities of relationships under strain.
As STP’s fame grew after the success of Core, the band began to feel the pressures of the music industry, and some of that tension is reflected in the lyrics of Purple. Weiland’s lyrics often reflect a sense of inner conflict, balancing the rewards of success with the personal toll it takes.
DeLeo’s guitar playing is a highlight of Purple, with his ability to craft both heavy, hard-hitting riffs and intricate, melodic lines. His use of dynamics and layers adds depth to the songs, allowing for both intensity and nuance. Tracks like ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Big Empty’ showcase his versatility, moving between acoustic and electric sounds seamlessly.
Robert DeLeo (bass) and Eric Kretz (drums) provide a tight, punchy rhythm section throughout the album. Robert’s bass lines are particularly melodic, complementing Dean’s guitar work and giving the songs a solid foundation, while Kretz’s drumming is both heavy and nuanced, driving the songs without overpowering them.
Weiland’s vocal performances on Purple are more varied and emotionally charged than on Core. He switches between raw, aggressive shouting and more controlled, melodic singing, demonstrating his range as a frontman. His ability to convey vulnerability and intensity in equal measure gives the album much of its emotional weight.
Purple debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to be certified 6× Platinum, solidifying Stone Temple Pilots as one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1990s. It was widely praised for its combination of grunge’s intensity with more polished, radio-friendly elements, allowing the band to appeal to both alternative rock fans and a broader audience.
Purple marked a significant step in STP’s evolution as a band. While their debut album Core was more firmly rooted in the grunge sound, Purple expanded their musical palette, incorporating more diverse influences from classic rock, blues, and even folk. This versatility helped distinguish them from other grunge bands of the era.
Songs like ‘Interstate Love Song’ and ‘Vasoline’ remain staples of 90s rock radio and are considered some of the best tracks of the decade. Their enduring popularity speaks to the album’s wide appeal and the band’s ability to craft memorable, well-written songs.
Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple is a defining album of 1990s rock, blending the raw power of grunge with more melodic, radio-friendly elements. Its combination of heavy guitar riffs, introspective lyrics, and Scott Weiland’s evolving vocal style helped solidify the band’s status as one of the most important and influential acts of the decade. With standout tracks like ‘Interstate Love Song,’ ‘Vasoline,’ and ‘Big Empty,’ Purple remains a timeless album that continues to resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners.
