What makes Plush by Stone Temple Pilots notable?

'Plush' became one of the defining songs of the grunge era, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its critical acclaim helped the band win a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1994, cementing its legacy within the genre. Released in 1993, 'Plush' came during Stone Temple Pilots' rise to fame following their debut album, 'Core'. The track marked a significant moment in their career, showcasing their ability to blend grunge aesthetics with more melodic elements, solidifying their place in the 90s rock landscape.

How many songs are on Plush?

Plush has 4 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

Plush

Stone Temple Pilots · 1993

20 min · 4 tracks · grunge

A brooding exploration of desire and loss, underpinned by dynamic riffs and Scott Weiland's haunting vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Plush (edit) — The edit of 'Plush' is emblematic of the band's sound, combining emotional depth with a memorable melody, making it accessible while maintaining its grunge roots.
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Sex Type Thing (Swing Type version) — 'Sex Type Thing' showcases the band's raw energy and confrontational lyrics, addressing themes of sexuality and power with a distinctively aggressive musicality.
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Plush (acoustic Type version) — This acoustic rendition strips back the song’s production, highlighting Weiland's vocal delivery and emotional vulnerability, offering a fresh perspective on the original.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single blends grunge with melodic elements, featuring strong dynamics and memorable hooks.

What we noticed

The second track, 'Sin', maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace with layered guitar riffs that create a dense sound.
The acoustic version of 'Plush' strips down the original's instrumentation, highlighting the vocal melody and emotional delivery.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established the band's reputation and showcased their signature sound.
Career context: Released in 1993, 'Plush' came during Stone Temple Pilots' rise to fame following their debut album, 'Core'. The track marked a significant moment in their career, showcasing their ability to blend grunge aesthetics with more melodic elements, solidifying their place in the 90s rock landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Pearl Jam