Stone Temple Pilots – Tiny Music Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop
Tiny Music Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop was the third full length studio album by San Diego Grunge band Stone Temple Pilots. It was released in 1996 and produced by Brendan O’Brian. This third album continues their trend of not having two albums in a row sound much like each other. The first album was a weighty, almost Metallic mixture of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam’s styles, blended together. Their second was a moody, mid-paced, thoughtful record that embraced “Alternative” more than Grunge specifically. This third album is a breezy, summery album, with pleasant melodies, jangly psychedelic moments and a bit more speed than Purple had.
The album is almost in two halves, firstly of enjoyable, slightly heavy Rock songs with enough bite to satisfy but simple and easily digestible enough to be memorable and entertaining, and the rest is more laid back, mildly trippy music that evokes Gentle Giant’s less complex moments, or indeed The Beatles. It’s a very good mixture that balances well together and makes for a strong record overall. Experimental enough to sound fresh but grounded enough to give you what you want.
Highlights include ‘Tumble In The Rough,’ ‘Lady Picture Show’ and the famous ‘Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart’ …three tracks equally as strong and memorable as anything off the excellent debut Core, and as separate from the styles of other bands as anything on Purple. These sit alongside the likes of ‘Dead And Bloated’ and ‘Sex Type Thing’ as some of the most fun songs the band have released, but without losing the artsy identity the band found for themselves with tracks like ‘Silvergun Superman.’ A best of both worlds, if no stylistically then at least in terms of quality.
Overall; Tiny Music has all the benefits of pleasant disposable summery fun music, but with the talent and backing to make it last. If you like this band, or this sort of music, its an absolute must. Its probably the band’s most fun and easily accessible album and its absolutely worth your time. Don’t let the headlines or anything put you off. Don’t miss out!
Metal-Nerd Blog 
I haven’t played this in almost 20 years. But one thing I remember is how much I disliked it. Good review though!
LikeLike
I’ve just came to it recently. Its the right time, in the sun, I’m not too oversaturated by Grunge and I’ve never seen the band being druggies in the headlines. I think all of those factors help it go down easier 🙂
I can see how it’d have came across at the time though for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
To be honest I think Weiland’s voice changed a lot between the second and third albums.
LikeLike
I never explored beyond core & purple, sounds like I stopped at least 1 album too early!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you stopped at the right time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I stayed with just Core and Purple for two years, now I’ve picked this one up because it was so cheap (30p or something). I was expecting it to be boring and turgid, so I think the fact that it was sunny and fun really made a good impression. I kind of think Purple is a bit too dour and though I like the Prog moments, its a bit to samey and middle of the road the rest of the time.
LikeLike
I do like Lady Picture Show.
LikeLike
Not my favorite STP album, but one that showed their continuous growth. Less as a grunge band, and more of an alternative one. Nice review.
LikeLike