Stone Temple Pilots - Core

Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

1992 multi-platinum album from the Stone Temple Pilots, a cornerstone of 1990s alt rock!

Includes "Sex Type Thing" and "Wicked Garden"

180-gram 45 RPM double LP

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith from the original master tape

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets by Stoughton Printing

"... the truly definitive STP 'Core' vinyl experience emerged in March 2024 as a 2LP 45rpm set by Analogue Productions in conjunction with their Atlantic 75 Audiophile Series. O'Brien's 'Core' stereo mix manifests much better breadth and depth on four sides at 45 than on any prior LP edition at 33?. The once-buried acoustic guitar chucka-chuckas on the choruses of "Plush" (LP2, Side 3, Track 2) are more prominent, pristine, and complementary here, as is the ping-ponging percussive bed underneath much of "Naked Sunday" (LP1, Side 2, Track 3)." — Mike Mettler, Music Editor for Sound & Vision, October/November 2024. Read the entire review here.

"...they're both amazing sounding records and you are not going to be disappointed in either one of these." — Rocco Richardson, review of Stone Temple Pilot's 'Core' and 'Purple' albums, Pieces of Vinyl YouTube video

"I think this is absolutely bloody phenomenal it is incredible sounding and you know it it it definitely had me rocking out and turning the system up louder than than I've I think I've ever done before." — Music 8/10, Sonics 10/10, Dave Denyer, Youtube video

"The numerous vinyl reissues of Core over the past ten years are passable but never delivered the maximum power of the music, whether it was the three-sided Music on Vinyl pressing, the 2013 RSD cut by Ron McMaster, the 2017 cut by Chris Bellman featured in the deluxe edition (released separately in 2020), or the 2LP Run Out Groove edition (cut at 33 1/3, a missed opportunity). Leave it to Analogue Productions to provide the best-sounding version of this album." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 10/11 — Dylan Peggin, TrackingAngle.com. Read the full review here.

Stone Temple Pilots roared on to the scene in 1992 with their raucous debut Core. A breakout success, the album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, dominated radio waves with hits like "Sex Type Thing" and "Wicked Garden," and has been certified 8x platinum by the RIAA. The band also took home the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for their smash single "Plush."

Although it faced initial criticisms for being derivative of other grunge bands, such as Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, time has gained Core recognition as a classic of the 1990s alternative rock era and remains a pivotal album in the Stone Temple Pilot's discography. Critics praised the band's musicianship, Scott Weiland's charismatic vocals, and the album's songwriting. 

Core showcases a diverse range of musical styles, blending elements of alternative rock, grunge, hard rock, and even psychedelic influences. The band's sound is characterized by powerful guitar riffs and a melodic bassline.

The album strikes a balance between heavy, grunge-infused tracks and more introspective, melodic compositions. Songs such as "Sex Type Thing" and "Wicked Garden" exemplify the band's heavier, hard rock side, while tracks like "Plush" and "Creep" showcase their ability to craft emotionally charged, radio-friendly ballads. The album's eclectic mix of styles contributed to its widespread appeal and longevity in the alternative rock scene.

The top-notch Analogue Productions reissue earmarks are all here: Mastered directly from the original master tape by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and cut at 45 RPM. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets by Stoughton Printing.