Debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, Purple would establish the Sone Temple Pilots as a superstar group. This second studio album from San Diego-based STP would continue the grunge sound, but would expand a bit into other styles like psychedelia, country, acoustic, alternative, and mainstream rock. Stone Temple Pilots was influenced by Aerosmith, and the band members were fans of Kiss. The band was one of the most commercially successful bands of the 90's. The band was originally known as Mighty Joe Young, but changed the name when another performer laid claim to the name.
Get your grunge on as Rob profiles this hit-laden album.
“Big Empty”
The slide guitar gives this track an interesting mix of country and grunge. This was the first single from the album. It was featured on MTV Unplugged before the album was released.
“Vasoline”
The second single released from the album was also the second most successful track from the album. The name of the song is attributed to a misheard lyric - "Flies in the vasoline" instead of "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles. The song is about being stuck in a place or situation.
“Lounge Fly”
The opening riff of this deeper cut was used on MTV's news breaks in the 90's. Interestingly, STP was voted "best new band" by Rolling Stone readers, and "worst new band" by the critics in the same Rolling Stone magazine.
“Interstate Love Song”
This is THE hit off the album, and what a hit! It was at number 1 for fifteen weeks. It was displaced by “Vasoline” for 2 weeks, keeping Stone Temple Pilots in the number 1 slot for 17 solid weeks. If they sound familiar, the chords are taken from Jim Croce's "I've Got a Name."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme to "The Lion King"
This animated movie from Disney was a huge hit in 1994. Some see strong similarities between this movie and "Kimba the White Lion," a Japanese film from the 60's.
STAFF PICKS:
“Shakermaker” by Oasis
Bruce's staff pick highlights a track off Oasis' debut album. Oasis lost a lawsuit for borrowing "I'd like to teach the world to sing" from the iconic Coca-Cola commercial. Apparently "irony" is not a good legal defense.
“Crazy” by Aerosmith
Steven Tyler and Aerosmith were superstars in the 90's on the strength of songs and videos like this. Alicia Silverstone featured in a number of Aerosmith videos. This one also featured Steven Tyler's daughter Liv Tyler who would go on to star in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
“Selling the Drama” by Live
Wayne's staff pick is the first single off Live's album "Throwing Copper." It is an anti-televangelist song.
“Loser” by Beck
This loose string song has been described as folk based hip-hop. "I'm a loser, baby, so why don't you kill me?" "And my time is a piece of wax falling on a termite that's choking on the splinters."
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Walking at Night” by Boston
This instrumental track off Boston's "Walk On" closes us out this week.
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