Stone Temple Pilots: Purple

The Definitive Purple by Analogue Productions

Thirty years after its original release, Stone Temple Pilots' Purple finally gets the audiophile treatment it deserves. This Analogue Productions reissue isn't just another cash grab—it's a revelation that transforms one of the '90s most underappreciated masterpieces into a sonic experience that would make even the original band members weep with joy.

The Album That Silenced the Critics

Let's rewind to 1994. STP had already endured their share of "grunge imitator" accusations after their 8x platinum debut *Core*. Landing at the crossroads of the then-rising alternative rock scene and quickly fading '80s hair metal, they'd endured their share of slings and arrows following the successes of 1992's debut album, Core, and in a January 1994 Rolling Stone poll, the band was simultaneously voted Best New Band by Rolling Stone's readers and Worst New Band by the magazine's music critics.

Purple was their answer to the naysayers. Recorded, mixed, and mastered in approximately three and a half weeks during March 1994 with producer Brendan O'Brien, the album debuted at number one in the United States upon its release on June 7, 1994 and stayed there for three weeks. More importantly, it showcased a band that had evolved far beyond their grunge origins into something genuinely unique.

Purple represents a stylistic expansion for the band, combining the grunge, alternative rock and hard rock of their debut album, Core, with a wider range of musical influences, such as acoustic, blues rock, country, folk, funk, jazz, psychedelia, psychedelic rock and southern rock. This wasn't just sonic maturation—it was creative fearlessness that would influence alternative rock for decades to come.

Technical Excellence: When Masters Meet Masters

Here's where this reissue separates itself from the pack. Mastered directly from the original master tape by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and cut at 45 RPM, this pressing benefits from the expertise of one of the industry's most respected engineers. Ryan Smith has been mastering records at Sterling Sound for the last 15 years. He learned the art of vinyl mastering from the late great George Marino, and his "do as little as possible" philosophy means every sonic detail serves the music rather than the engineer's ego.

The 45 RPM treatment across four sides isn't just marketing fluff—it's transformative. The 45rpm treatment uncovers some aural nuggets buried deep in the mix. The extra guitar panned to the right during the verses of 'Vasoline' is more prominent. The shaker percussion on 'Interstate Love Song' always blended with the song's backing track; it gets a spotlight here. This is exactly what you want from a reissue: not just better sound, but *more* sound.

Pressing Quality That Delivers

Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing, every physical aspect screams quality. QRP consistently ranks among the world's finest pressing plants, and it shows. The vinyl is dead quiet between tracks—no surface noise to distract from Scott Weiland's vocal acrobatics or the DeLeo brothers' intricate arrangements.

The tip-on gatefold reproduction is gorgeous, maintaining the original's mysterious purple-tinged aesthetic while upgrading the construction quality substantially. Even the inner sleeves feel premium, protecting these platters for the long haul.

The Musical Journey: From "Meatplow" to "Kitchenware & Candybars

Side one opens with "Meatplow"'s grinding intensity before seamlessly transitioning to the psychedelic swagger of "Vasoline"—and the sonic improvement on this pressing makes the journey feel completely natural. Man, Kitchenware and Candy Bars sounds like that damn band is set up in your listening area, as one reviewer noted, and they're not wrong. The soundstage is expansive yet intimate, placing you right in the studio with the band.

"Interstate Love Song" benefits tremendously from the 45 RPM treatment. As DeLeo mentioned when Billboard spoke with him to premiere the live version of "Interstate Love Song" from this box set over the summer, the twang on the album's biggest single emerged from the bassist's love for Glen Campbell and the Bakersfield sound. That country influence, often buried in lesser pressings, comes through crystal clear here.

The album's emotional centerpiece, "Big Empty," recorded on May 25, 1993 and appeared in the 1994 film The Crow, sounds absolutely haunting. The track's bluesy melancholy and spacious arrangement benefit enormously from the analog chain and expert mastering.


The Vinyl Verdict

Hands down the definitive press of this album. This album has never sounded as good as it does here. The mastering, cut, everything about it is just exactly what you want it to be. Simply astounding ear candy. This assessment from fellow collectors isn't hyperbole—it's spot-on.

This Analogue Productions reissue proves that *Purple* deserves its place among the '90s finest albums. Purple received mixed-to-negative reviews on release, but is retrospectively seen one of the best albums of the 1990s, with Ultimate Classic Rock declaring it a "psychedelic grunge opus". With this pressing, you can finally hear why it has endured.

For vinyl collectors, this is essential. For STP fans, it's transformative. For anyone who appreciates expertly crafted rock music presented in the highest fidelity possible, it's absolutely mandatory. Don't sleep on this one. 💰

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