Rocktrospectiva: The Vibrant "Purple" Turns 30

 

Released on June 7, 1994 "Purple" stylized on the cover art in its Chinese character 紫, was the second studio album by the American alternative rock band Stone Temple Pilots, which was building on the foundation by its predecsessor "Core", the album was a  major commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the album spawned three singles "Big Empty", "Vasoline", & "Interstate Love Song", the first one reached the top ten on Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks, while the other two topped the Mainstream chart and reached No. 2 on Modern Rock Tracks.

 

The album features elements of grunge sound like itrs predecessor, but also displays a developing sound influenced by other genres like psychedelic rock, country and blues rock, you can noticed that on tracks such as "Lounge Fly", "Silvergun Superman", and "Interstate Love Song", the curious cover art features a painting of a child riding on a Qilin accompanied by a quintet of fairies above the creature and the child, taking place on a cloudy background. 

 

Indeed the album title is written as a Chinese character, zǐ (紫), on the cover, and nowhere else on the packaging, the early pressings featured the Chinese character and band name printed on the CD jewel case cover itself.

 

Purple debuted at No. 1 in the United States, and the radio friendly "Interstate Love Song" became a big hit, and the other two singles "Vasoline" and "Big Empty" aided the album to sell three million copies, the album received positity revirews considered like a big step showcasing the talent and creatity of the band, redefined their sound and gave them their very own space in the grunge era, considered until now, as one of the most essential and defining records of the 90's. 

Purple Track List: 

1. Meatplow

2. Vasoline

3. Lounge Fly

4. Intestate Love Song

5. Still Remains

6. Pretty Penny

7. Silvergun Superman

8. Big Empty

9. Unglued

10. Army Ants

11. Kitchenware & Candybars