What makes Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots notable?

'Sex Type Thing' gained significant attention for its provocative lyrics and strong instrumentation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album contributed to the grunge movement's cultural landscape in the early '90s and helped solidify Stone Temple Pilots as a prominent force in rock music. Released on January 25, 1993, 'Sex Type Thing' marked Stone Temple Pilots' debut album during the early wave of grunge's mainstream acceptance. At this time, the band was establishing its identity in a scene dominated by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, aiming to carve out their niche with a sound that combined hard rock and alternative elements.

How many songs are on Sex Type Thing?

Sex Type Thing has 4 tracks, running approximately 21 minutes.

Sex Type Thing

Stone Temple Pilots · 1993

21 min · 4 tracks · grunge

Raw guitar riffs collide with gritty vocals, creating a chaotic yet melodic exploration of desire and disillusionment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sex Type Thing — The title track introduces the album's themes of sexual politics and societal critique, driven by an infectious chorus and dynamic guitar work.
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Piece of Pie — This track showcases the band's ability to blend heavy sounds with introspective lyrics, reflecting a sense of longing amidst raw energy.
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Wicked Garden (live) — The live version captures the band's electrifying stage presence and highlights their powerful performance style while delving into themes of confusion and yearning.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single captures the raw energy of early grunge but lacks depth and cohesion in its brief runtime.

What we noticed

The title track opens with a raw guitar riff that sets a chaotic tone, followed by gritty vocals that maintain intensity throughout.
The second track features a more melodic structure, contrasting with the aggressive sound of the opener while still retaining a heavy guitar presence.
Both live tracks at the end showcase the band's performance energy but lack the studio polish of the first two tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

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 during the early grunge movement.
Career context: Released on January 25, 1993, 'Sex Type Thing' marked Stone Temple Pilots' debut album during the early wave of grunge's mainstream acceptance. At this time, the band was establishing its identity in a scene dominated by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, aiming to carve out their niche with a sound that combined hard rock and alternative elements.
Stylistic neighbors: Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Pearl Jam