Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots
User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 41
  3. Negative: 3 out of 41

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  1. JasonK
    May 26, 2010
    9
    Despite being a Stone Temple Pilots superfan for more than 10 years of my life I'll forego any comparison to their past works (or any Beatles references for that matter) and just say that this is, first and foremost, an excellent rock record pure and simple. The album opts for hooks and hummable melodies rather than the expected weirdness that STP are known for (though not completely devoid of so), not unlike Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" where the band didn't mind toning down the gloom and wind down a bit. Rather than follow the natural progression that is to be expected of them (ultimately leading them to be the sonic equivalent of something like a Tom Waits/Danny Elfman collaboration) they've taken a step back and realized that there's fun to be had in music. Now I'm just waiting to see what Cornell and co. does with that new Soundgarden album...… Expand
  2. Dan
    May 25, 2010
    9
    Very good, took a bunch of listens to get on board with the different sound they went with (as usual with their later albums), but very worth it.
  3. MitchZ
    May 25, 2010
    10
    Probably the best rock record I've listened to in the last 10 years.
  4. Craig
    May 26, 2010
    10
    Really excellent stuff--better than I expected. Of course, my favourite STP album is Tiny Music, so I'm open to some of the more pop-oriented explorations here (Although I can't stand Hickory Dichotomy--Weiland sounds like the flaming dude from the B-52s).
  5. JohnnyC
    May 29, 2010
    9
    A very pleasant surprise and one well worth adding to your collection.
  6. RyanR
    May 25, 2010
    10
    This album by STP is one of there greatest achievements yet. It is a combination of "Purple" and "Tiny Music". I love it! I especially like the fact that this album sounded great on its first play-through. It only gets better the more I listen to it. I am now a fan of every track! Each one offers something special about them. I love "Take a Load Off", "Bagman" and "Humbleberry Creek" in particular. Scotts vocals are great! Dean's guitar playing is clean and raw in some parts but it is his versatility that caught me off guard on this record.....Effing amazing! Rob continues to show all bass players how to do it and also how to write, collaborate and create melodic geniousity. Kretz is back with a more "active" style of drumline. He has stayed consistent over the years but I've heard some new creative stuff from him in this one. This is one of the best rock bands ever and they deliver to the fans a great record that will spin for many years to come. My only wish is that they will stay committed to STP and its fans in the way of several albums in the future. Long live Scott, Dean, Robert and Eric! I love you guys and the great music you give us! :-D… Expand
  7. GuitarPanda
    Mar 30, 2013
    10
    Stone Temple Pilots is one of the best rock bands that not many people have heard of, great album, great music. Dean DeLeo rocks those guitar solos like not a lot of rock guitarists can these days, the vocals perfectly complement the rocking instruments and the songs just come off as unique and well made. This band reminds me heavily of Aerosmith, except newer. If you like good music, or aren't deaf, chances are you'll like this album.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Scott Weiland sounds downright effervescent on the first Stone Temple Pilots disc in nearly a decade. There's nothing new here, just cheap and easy pop-rock mimicry (the Beatles, Petty, Nirvana, Bowie, Aerosmith), siphoned through spry, crunchy grunge riffs.
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  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    It's not groundbreaking stuff, but it surpasses all expectations for a group who've spent almost a decade apart.
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  3. Boston Globe
    80
    The 12 tracks blend essentially everything STP ever did well without sounding like a stitched-together version of past hits.
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