Review Summary: Stone Temple Pilots is a band that is considered by many,to be one of the greatest rock bands of the grunge era,which I agree.In 2002 they released their compilation of greatest hits entitled thank you,and it most certainly does not dissapoint.
STP had a way of writing songs that was unique in it's own right.By straying away from playing power chords most of the time,they had an edge to their sound that is both heavy,and artistic.The music retains a sense of vertigo,in the sense that Scott Weiland conveys his messages with deep thought and emotion.But on to the review.
This album fades in with the opening notes of Vasoline,which is obvious as to why they chose this song as the opening track,as it's written to pull you in and draw your attention.The next song,Down,is one of my favorite songs by STP.The dropped-D guitar gives a haunting,yet kind've crunchy sound that in turn complements Weiland's low toned vocals.Wicked Garden is next,this is a great hard rock song that is full of energy throughout,that just makes you want to move along with the music.
Next comes Big Empty.I love how the verses are slow-paced,and then it explodes into the chorus after a small drum fill from Eric Kretz.After Big Empty fades out,Push,the song that put STP on the map comes in.Everyone has heard this song presumably,so i'm not going to go very deep into it.Big Bang Baby is a little on the poppier side,but not in bad way,the drum beat is repetitive,but catchy as it goes boom,tap,boom,taptap,boom,tap,boomboomtap.Very fun to listen to.
Strangely enough,after the light-herated big bang baby,Creep,an obviously darker acoustic driven song appears as if to change the mood half way through the album.
Although I don't recall hearing Lady Picture Show before I bought this album,it's still a good song.Trippin'on a hole in a paper heart is a faster,slightly punk style song that breaks down before the chorus where Weiland shouts for all he can:I am I said i'm not myself,i'm not dead and i'm not for sale,a wonderful lyric line.
As one of their more popular songs,Interstate Love Song doesen't really get old.It has a country music type of vibe to it,with lyrics about catching someone on a lie after hearing about it from so many other people.The only new song,All in the suit that you wear,has some controversy on how it was written.Some say it was just for this album,others say it was an unchosen song for Spider-man.I assume the second one is true but if it is,I don't know why they would pick Chad Kroeger's Hero over this but oh well.
Sex type thing blasts on in right after.With that great guitar riff that everyone loves,you know"da dun da dun da dun dee dudu....Sorry the horrible verbal verbal interpretation part is over.Then there's Days of the week,which is the only song on here from shangri-la-dee-da.It felt a little odd to me that this song was after sex type thing,but it's a decent song.
Two acoustic songs,Sour Girl and the acoustic version of Plush close out the record.Sour girl has a certain bounce to it,it has a feel that's like happy and sad st the same time.Plush(acoustic) is the last remaining track,but I won't talk about it because it's exactly like the electric one,or close enough.
But I recommend this to any fan of STP.Only that I wish Dead and Bloated was on here,but other than that,it's an excellent album.
