By 1999 Stone Temple Pilot’s had already established themselves as rock megastars. Flying the purity flag for a genre that was becoming stagnant. Their first three albums, despite personal issues within the band, were massive hits. Setting up the band to unleash their finest hour, ‘No. 4.’
Even in the six short years between S.T.P’s debut ‘Core’ and the release of ‘No. 4,’ the popular musical landscape had radically changed. Pop punk had taken over the rock world. Rap began to dominate the charts. Along with manufactured pop acts such as 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys and N’Sync. With the Nu Metal craze becoming the counterculture standard. Can a brother just get a great, heavy, melodic hard rock album? Well, S.T.P said ‘Yes.’
With heavy rockers such as ‘Down,’ ‘No Way Out,’ ‘Heaven On Hotrods’ and ‘Pruno.’ S.T.P make a statement that they aren’t ready to bow to modern trends. And with the addition of legendary ballads such as ‘Atlanta’ and the mega smash ‘Sour Girl.’ ‘No. 4’ was a sure fire hit. With the latter being performed on MTV’s TLR. As well as starring Sarah Michelle Geller and demon Teletubbies in the massive hit music video. Giving the record a major boon.
The alternative tracks: ‘Church On Tuesday,’ ‘Glide,’ ‘I Got You’ and ‘MC5’ round out the album in pure 90’s fashion. Stone Temple Pilots always had a knack at combining drop heavy hard rock, alternative rock and melody seamlessly. And ‘No. 4’ is perhaps the best example of what makes S.T.P one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Climbing to number six on the Billboard 200. ‘No. 4’ quickly went platinum and kept the ball rolling for the band. Many consider the album to be S.T.P’s finest hour. Having Scott Weiland sober for the duration of the record probably helped a bit. Unfortunately, he couldn’t shake his demons in the long run and they would end up taking his life in December of 2015. So celebrate, spin it, love it, crank it. It’s 23 years of one of the greatest rock albums of all time. What are some of your favorite tracks? Sound off in the comments!
