Stone Temple Pilots Albums: From Best to the Rest
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Stone Temple Pilots Albums: From Best to the Rest

Stone Temple Pilots, or STP, have had a remarkable career. Emerging from the alternative rock scene in the early ’90s, they quickly became one of the most successful and polarizing bands of the era. Their mix of grunge, classic rock, and psychedelia made them stand out from the pack, while their constant lineup shifts and Scott Weiland’s tumultuous personal life added layers of intrigue to their story. Below is a ranking of their albums from best to the rest, considering both artistic merit and impact.


Number 1


Stone Temple Pilots - Purple

Purple (1994)

When it comes to Stone Temple Pilots’ discography, Purple is the gold standard. The album’s blend of hard rock, grunge, and melodic accessibility is flawless, and it’s still one of the best examples of ’90s rock at its peak. Tracks like “Interstate Love Song,” “Vasoline,” and “Big Empty” aren’t just great songs—they’re iconic. Here, the band elevated their sound from the heavy, riff-based approach of Core to a more refined, expansive style. Scott Weiland’s vocals are at their most dynamic, layering his raw emotion with newfound vocal subtleties. Purple wasn’t just a commercial success; it was a critical one too, showing that STP had staying power beyond the grunge wave.

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Number 2


Stone Temple Pilots - Core

Core (1992)

This album is where it all began for Stone Temple Pilots, and it remains a cornerstone of their catalog. Core was a defining album of early ’90s rock, offering a blend of heavy, groovy riff-driven tracks and Weiland’s brooding, charismatic vocals. Songs like “Plush” (which became an anthem), “Creep,” and “Sex Type Thing” hit the airwaves hard and fast. Core is the sound of a band arriving fully formed—moody yet radio-friendly, heavy yet tuneful. While it doesn’t have the range of Purple, its rawness and energy can’t be ignored. It’s the album that set STP apart from the pack, and for that, it’s a classic.

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Number 3


Stone Temple Pilots - Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop

Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop (1996)

Tiny Music marked a bold departure from the band’s grunge roots, taking on a more psychedelic, art-rock approach. At first glance, its swirling melodies and unpredictable arrangements might have seemed alien compared to their earlier work. But time has been kind to this album. Tracks like “Big Bang Baby,” “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart,” and “Lady Picture Show” have stood the test of time. The album’s bold risk-taking is one of its most rewarding qualities, offering a glimpse into a band that wasn’t interested in being boxed in. It may not have been as commercially successful as Core or Purple, but its creativity and fearless experimentation make it one of STP’s most interesting and underrated records.

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Number 4


Stone Temple Pilots - No. 4

No. 4 (1999)

By No. 4, Stone Temple Pilots were operating in a more mature, post-grunge world. While the album doesn’t have the same immediate impact as Core or Purple, it has a certain power and depth. Tracks like “Down,” “Heaven & Hot Rods,” and “I Got You” show a band still capable of writing massive hooks while leaning more into a stripped-back, bluesy approach. Though the album isn’t as inventive as Tiny Music, its consistency and ability to balance hard rock with subtlety make it a standout in the band’s catalog. It’s not their best, but No. 4 was still a solid record in an era when the band’s style was starting to feel somewhat dated.

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Number 5


Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots (2018)

Stone Temple Pilots (2018)

STP’s first album with Jeff Gutt on vocals had a nearly impossible task: proving the band could continue without Weiland or Chester Bennington. And against the odds, it succeeds in places. Gutt’s voice is eerily reminiscent of Weiland’s, and the band sounds reinvigorated on tracks like “Meadow” and “Roll Me Under.” While it doesn’t reach the heights of their classic era, Stone Temple Pilots (2018) shows that the band could still craft solid rock songs with a new frontman.

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Number 6


Stone Temple Pilots - La Dee Da

Shangri-La Dee Da (2001)

By the time Shangri-La Dee Da arrived in 2001, the wheels were starting to come off for Stone Temple Pilots. The album is plagued by a sense of disarray, both musically and personally for the band. While the album has its high points—”Days of the Week” and “Hello, It’s Late” stand out—there’s a feeling that the band was creatively exhausted. Some of the tracks lack the spark that made earlier albums so compelling, with a lot of the material feeling like filler. Still, it’s worth a listen for diehard fans, as it has a few gems, but it represents the band’s struggle with maintaining relevance in a post-grunge world.

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Number 7


Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots (2010)

Stone Temple Pilots (2010)

After a hiatus and a period of turmoil, STP reformed in 2008 with Weiland back in the fold. The self-titled album they released in 2010 is a comeback of sorts, but it never quite recaptures the magic of the ’90s. The album features solid tracks like “Between the Lines” and “Cinnamon,” but overall, it feels like a band trying to find their footing after so many years apart. There’s nothing particularly wrong with the album; it just lacks the urgency and excitement of their earlier work. For fans of the band, it’s a decent listen, but it doesn’t offer much that wasn’t already done better on their previous albums.

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Number 8


Stone Temple Pilots - Perdida

Perdida (2020)

By the time Perdida was released, Stone Temple Pilots were no longer the grunge giants they once were. Featuring new lead singer Jeff Gutt, this album represents a drastic shift for the band. Instead of their hard rock roots, Perdida explores more of a stripped-back, acoustic sound with a mix of folk, country, and even jazz influences. While it’s a bold move, it doesn’t entirely land. Songs like “Fare Thee Well” and “Perdida” are poignant, but the lack of the band’s signature power and edge leaves the album feeling somewhat flat. It’s an interesting experiment, but it feels disconnected from the band’s core identity.

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Stone Temple Pilots have had a career defined by reinvention, resilience, and, at times, tragedy. Their early run of albums (Core, Purple, Tiny Music) remains one of the strongest three-album stretches in ’90s rock history. Later albums have been more hit-or-miss, but they’ve always been willing to take risks.

Even with lineup changes, STP’s sound remains distinct—gritty yet melodic, dark yet strangely uplifting. Whether you love them for their grunge-era anthems or their experimental detours, there’s no denying they carved out a lasting legacy in rock music.

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