Tiny Music Songs From A Vatican Gift Shop Review

Released: Mar 26, 1996
Genre: Rock
Styles: Hard Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Grunge
Number Of Tracks: 12
Tiny Music Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop illustrates that the band isn't content with resting on the laurels.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	9.5
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.7
Users rating:	9.6
Comments:	7

overall: 9.3

Featured review by: JimBonJovi, on march 26, 2009

Sound: Dean once said in an interview session on their website, that Tiny Music Songs from the Vatican Giftshop, was recorded on a property basically out in the middle of nowhere with acres of expanse and that it was probably the best time in their lives (and that it was a shame Scott didn't get to enjoy it as much as they did). And you can certainly tell that the band seems very well glued together, turning jazz chords, mellow bass, controlled drumming and a mix of Purple/No.4/Shangri-la dee da voice from Scott. I was never really fond of this album until I learnt that Dean used various Jazz chord formations, and in general that the entire band worked effortlessly to get rid of the grunge stamp using different instruments. This album has a great atmosphere and for a hard rock/jazz enthusiast like myself it's a perfect match. Come to think of it. STP and myself are always a perfect match, musically speaking. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Scott always does a wonderful job. Core: Scott was Growly and the lyrics were dark yet introspective, Purple: Scott still growled but contained it more with a deeper set of lyrics which makes sense along with the experimentation the band used on Purple. Tiny Music had STP fans feel as though that trademark growl from the core era would never resurface again. Although it is apparent here and there in tunes such as "Adhesive", "Big Bang Baby", "Pop's Love Suicide", "Tripping On A Hole In A Paper heart" and so on, it's more gravelly but it totally works for the album and that's all that matters. Many of lyrics for Tiny Music revolve around Scott's new interest at the time as we all know. They(the lyrics) are strange and as a person who has never done drugs, you can still sort of relate to them in a wierd way. Either that or Scott translates his problems and feelings so well that you create your own story from the melange of words, which is the great part of this CD. // 9

Impression: 01.Press Play: excellent little instrumental. Very Loungey.
02.Pop's Love Suicide: groovy verse and Scott's gravely vocals. Dean's chord proggression's sort of mimic Big Bang Baby. Very good solo.
03.Tumble In The Rough: a fast paced tune. Fuzzy guitars and brilliant snare and hi hat hit's from Eric during the chorus.
04.Big Bang Baby: it's hard to say which song is the heaviest on this album but this is a bit more fuzzy. Dean shifts effortlessly between chords, Robert thumps his way along, Eric keeps a groovy delicious beat and Scott works his vocals to his very best.
05.Lady Pitcure Show: the first song to have Scott croon as he has done on recent albums. It may evoke the sound of the Beatles but it's certainly jazzy to an experienced ear.
06.And So I Know: I appologise for saying that is album is jazz oriented, but this takes them all as the second most jazziest song. The guys really create a super melodic landscape on this one, especially Dean's solo which could fit on a smooth jazz record.
07.Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart: the rocker of the album. This could certainly fit on Purple. Not as creative as the others in my opinion.
08.Art School Girlfriend: this is probably the weakest track of the bunch. The intro/verse is good then the "chorus" turns into a mess. The only decent part is the bridge with the shimmering guitar riffs.
09.Adhesive: My favorite Track on the album. You didn't have to guess why because the answer is smooth jazz. The trumpet via Dave Ferguson really adds atomsphere and for a smooth jazz guitar player, this is a slice of musical heaven.
10.Ride The Cliche: a bouncey rocker. The riffs are excellent and maybe this qualifies as the album's heaviest song? A close second I say. Good rhythm changes here too.
11.Daisy: I prefer this short lovely instrumental over "Press Play" as it has a roots and again jazz influence in it. Although I believe this should have closed the album.
12.Seven Caged Tigers: my second favorite. This one is probably tied with "Tripping on... " as the heaviest song. Lots of little chord changes and riffs via the Deleo brothers.

All in all this album really can be enjoyed by Hard Rock lovers and I'll even go as far and say some Smooth Jazz lovers too.(Don't hold that against me though! ) A superb album which deserves more credit that was given. Now... Where's my guitar... // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: STPmaidenthrax, on august 13, 2004

Sound: Even if critics has said this wasn't STP's best album, well most likely they are the most ignorant person in the world. Everybody knows they spend a hell of a lot of time on their songs and albums. They were perfectionists. Scott has a very calm voice throughout the whole album on just about every song. Then there's the eerie part. I believe there's some sort of Beatles influence in STP's overall sound and on this album.

As much as I and other STP hardcores love "Lady Picture Show", just watching the video and listening to the guitar work, it's almost exactly like something the Beatles would of put out. Dean also has a great solo in "Lady Picture Show" and could be the best one on the album with the solo on the ever popular song "Trippin on a Hole in a Paper Heart". STP's most underrated song in their decade of fame appears on this CD. "Big Bang Baby" is a very cool song and its my all time favorite STP song. It has a mix of great guitar work by Dean, thumping mellow bass of Rob and the light-hearted singing of Scott. Eric Kretz's drumming in the song is outsanding and the riff is ever so cool. "Seven Caged Tigers" is another great song STP has made. It is a very very tough song to play and I know. As much as I have and still do listen to the song, you can hear how many times and how many chord and riffs Dean switches and its so FAST. The solo is killer in the song and the bass from Rob ads the somber mood the song provides. "Pop's Love Suicide" is a cover of an older song (I forget the name and artist) and the cover of "Dancing Days" is absolutely fantastic. Screw the critics, this album is perfect! // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Scott and company put up some cool lyrics on this CD. I could care less what Scott is singing about here, and I don't know what the hell he's talking about anyways. Those are the most catchy lyrics I have heard in my lifetime. Then theres the sad, mellow hit song "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart" which talks about Weiland's troubled life and addiction of drugs and alcohol. "Lady Picture Show" also tells a story about a woman Scott must of liked. The album features songs for everybody with lyrics about anyone and anything. The lyrics are very creative, great friggin' job. // 10

Impression: This has to be one of the most underrated and most mis-understood albums of all time. It really isn't as bad as many people and critics made it out to be. Just because it didn't sell as much as "Core" and "Purple" doesn't make it a horrible CD. It has good guitar work, very good solos, quality lyrics and the lyrics tell good stories. Nothing is negative about this album, it might be one of the most well-rounded albums I have heard. "Seven Caged Tigers", "Big Bang Baby", and "Lady Picture Show" are the big name songs on here. They are excellent well thought out and performed songs and it's a shame STP didnt get enough credit for the record especially for songs like "Seven Caged Tigers". Yet it's funny how some of the songs off this record ended up on their greatest hits "Thank you". If I lost this CD I would probably go bezerk. Another well completed record with everyone's talent heard on it. // 10

Comments

[Mynabull]

This is like my favorite album of all time

[kfong03]

lady picture show is an amazing song

[kfong03]

pop's love suicide is not a cover....

[MockingbirdGirl]

I'm listening to this album right now. I think 'Adhesive' is my favorite song on it. ;]

[freedomdeceptiv]

big bang baby is the best song on it...

[pearlJam_31490]

haha me and my friend were talking a couple days ago about how good of a song Lady Picture show is and then i said yea to bad the album sucks compared to purple and core though. Man how wrong i was! this album rocks

[QuantumMechanix]

I have this album (i think its this one) but there are 12 tracks on it. It has Lady Picture Show and Adhesive and Trippin on a Hole in a Paper Heart and all them but I'm trying to figure out what the 12th song is called. If anyone knows message me. thanks