“The Stone Temple Pilots: “Tiny Music… Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop”
So, I’m trying something new this week. As much as I like reviewing new albums to tell you guys how to spend some of your money, we all need a little bit of the old school once in a while to appreciate what we’re listening to now. This week, I’ll be covering Stone Temple Pilots third album from March of 1996, Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop These guys were one of the more “artsy,” 90s rock bands. They’re not really grunge, and have had a ton of hits like “Interstate Love Song,” “Vaseline,” “Plush,” and “Wicked Garden,” all of which are heavier, deeper vocally, and very modern in sound. All of those hits are also off of their first two albums. Tiny Music however, is a much more subdued album and scored much smaller on hits. It was a little more classic sounding somehow, and just relaxing.
The singles off of this one are all great, and all had videos. “Big Bang Baby,” is an energy filled romp. “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart,” is a great straight ahead rock tune with a ripping Zeppelin-esque guitar solo. Then the very chill “Lady Picture Show,” will just mellow you out, and has another very Zeppelin-esque guitar solo, which is very hard to pull off (trust me, I know, ) . This album is miles ahead of their other work in my opinion. The band really tried something different, and it shows.
The band’s members are almost all stand-out musicians. Scott Weiland is an absolute legend ( if not for his singing than at least for his drug arrests ), and he really takes it slow and soothing on this record. Yeah, he can soar, but he doesn’t feel the need to and that’s nice sometimes. Dean DeLeo on guitar is a fucking hero. Get this man a medal because he channeled Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page guitar sound to a “T,” . He’s an absolute champion. Speaking of champions, bass player Robert DeLeo ( Dean DeLeo’s younger brother of 4 years, ) lays on some really funky, awesome licks! He is a rare example of a stand-out bassist, and is one of the unsung rock music heroes of all time. The only guy who doesn’t blow my mind is Eric Kretz, the drummer. Nothing really special or outstanding ever seems to happen on the drums, but he definitely is the same caliber as the others and holds a really nice beat. He also knows how to groove.
A five star album if I have ever heard one. Really, this record may not have made waves like their first two, but it was noticed enough for me to remember it. The slow track “Adhesive,” really brings a tear to my cold, heartless eyes. This album has so much to offer. I recommend you check it out here immediately. You’ll thank me later, I assure you.