Stone Temple Pilots Core 30th Anniversary Vinyl Review

[@ConcertBuddie]

Thank you for also calling out the now deliberate/confirmed choice by AS to not laminate the jacket. Personally, the anniversary edition of “Core” has been the best I’d listened to until this AS one (some prefer the MOV release - it’s just ok for me). I did love the “made from analog” logo on the back of the outer. Wonder if that’s their own creation (the logo). Between this and your VH comparison, keep ‘em coming, Rich!

[@VUmeters]

Hey Chance, thanks for your comment and kind words! I'm glad you appreciated the mention of the unlaminated jacket choice by AP. It's great to hear your perspective on the different pressings of "Core," particularly your preference for the anniversary edition and this AP release over the MOV pressing. I'll have an MOV pressing in one of my next comparisons. I'll keep em' coming, Rich

[@FleagleSangria]

Thanks Rich for the review of Core. I have the same Walmart pressing and also the 2 lp boxset that came out that has JJ Golden (John Golden’s son who works with him at his studio) as cutting it. I thought the boxet version bested the Walmart pressing so I am assuming the AP 2lp 75th will even sound better. Maybe not as big a difference as the Walmart vs the 75th but enough for me to give it a go as this is one of my favorite hard rock albums of the 90s. Did your Walmart version have CB (Chris Bellman) in the runout groove areas? There are two different runs in which some do and some dont (probably a euro vs us thing as the matrices are completely different) But both are the same year and same splatter vinyl. Kind of weird. My Walmart is a CB cut. Still the John Golden boxset I felt won by a bit as far as sound quality so I never searched out the non CB. Not a “blown away” situation however with the boxset. Anyway, thanks for the review and I will most likely grab the 75th at some point soon. Im pretty use to what the AP stuff turns out and Im not surprised it sounds the way you describe. Matches up with what I would usually describe their output to characteristically sound like. Which is a good thing. And I have no idea what you are talking about concerning “impulse issues” and vinyl collecting and Id appreciate it if you would not stare at my 12 copies of DSOTM with raised eyebrow. Ha. Thanks for the effort and review video, always helpful 👍🏻

[@VUmeters]

John, my man! Thanks for the detailed breakdown of your "Core" collection. It's wild how many different pressings are out there! My Walmart copy doesn't have the CB in the runout grooves, but it's awesome to know about the variations. And hey, I appreciate you not judging my vinyl addiction - lord knows I've got my fair share of duplicates, too! 😅 Thanks for always being an enabler and sharing your knowledge. I can't wait for you to dig into the AP 75th pressing and hear how it stacks up. Rock on, brother! 🤘

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Awesome. Can't wait to hear it! I have the 2020 deluxe boxset version and also the 2022 splatter like you have.. I hear this is the definitive pressing of this album now, so I'm stoked to have one, as I'm sure it'll sell out quickly and will probably be expensive on the secondhand market. 👍

[@VUmeters]

You won't be disappointed by the AP. It won't be your best-sounding album, but it's definitely the best-sounding pressing of this album. Enjoy

[@mr.bigsquid8422]

Enjoy the video, would love to hear some audio

[@false_binary]

STP's Core A-75 is a HURRICANE of a pressing. Vocals, backbeat, and guitars separation and detail was surprising...was used to years of a more "crunchy" digital cd reproduction sonically throughout most of my college years. This presents much more like they sounded live, especially during the tours for Core...the harder I pushed the amp, the more detail was revealed with this pressing (reminded me of when I have pushed my Dad's old pecko Led Zep 4...the louder the better lol). Excellent review...subscribed!

[@VUmeters]

It sounds like you're ready to rock out with that pressing! Keep turning up the volume for that authentic live experience. I'm a huge fan of all Pork, Pecko, Pecko Duck pressings. It's my favorite HOTH

[@cahabatunes380]

I’m hoping Purple will beat the pants off of Core in terms of sound quality when it comes out later this year. -Russ

[@VUmeters]

Thanks, Russ. I enjoyed this, but I'm hoping Purple will beat it.

[@oscar542241]

I hope so too, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that the MOV Pressing of core is better than this AP pressing. Best example is creep your gonna hear what I'm talking about the Soundstage is just wider and more detailed.

[@VUmeters]

I'm going to have to get a MOV pressing of Core. I'm a sucker for soundstage.

[@cahabatunes380]

@@oscar542241 BarakaPDub did an episode on MOV pressings & Core was one he used. Even thru KZbin I could tell it sounded great.

[@robertworkman7135]

@@oscar542241 I gotta disagree with ya. I have the regular and clear MOV pressings of this and the AP version is markedly better to my ears.

[@Wreckords-Marcel]

Compression isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for an album like this

[@divadgnol67]

I was 18 years old in 1986. So I made that transition from hair band to grunge rock. Soundgarden and Pearl jam were my two favorite grunge band. I thought Stone Temple pilots was a copycat band. And it wasn't until later that I started to enjoy them.

[@VUmeters]

Your musical journey sounds so similar to mine! I may be a bit younger, but I totally agree with you on the whole grunge-rock thing. I remember thinking Stone Temple Pilots were copying at first, but man, did they prove me wrong. It's crazy how our tastes can evolve like that over time. Thanks for sharing your story-it's always a blast connecting with fellow music lovers!

[@revelry1969]

I got the MOVLP version and think it sounds pretty great. I will compare my A75 when it arrivees. If you have ability to play DSD I will send you a link

[@VUmeters]

Awesome, thanks, Revelry. I'd like to hear that.

[@revelry1969]

I sent IG message if you wanna hear it.

[@Wyoming_Dave]

i have the version that walmart, version sold,i think you have to turn the volume up, the vocals werent as loud

[@Wyoming_Dave]

sound like this atlantic 75 sounds better

[@VUmeters]

It's definitely the best I've heard about this album. Some people rate the MOV, but I don't have a copy.

[@Wyoming_Dave]

@@VUmeters i meant you have to turn the volume up on the vocals

[@VUmeters]

@@Wyoming_Dave Yeah, I had to crank that pressing up. A lot more compared to the AP 75

[@freightdawg6762]

Vinyl in the 90's was terrible quality its great to see this album reissued along with many others from that era

[@VUmeters]

The 90s might have been rough for vinyl, but we're making up for it now with these reissues!