Call me crazy but I always found a very close association between STP's catalog and how it related to Zeppelin's, beyond STP’s obvious love for Zep. And notwithstanding, each band’s ostracism by the music press, despite their success.
CORE / ZEP I:
First album was the foundation and introduction of the band. More straight up than later records would exemplify between production and sound experimentation. Might call it the most bare-bones sounding record of each band, but also first albums have a tendency to have that quality.
PURPLE / ZEP II:
Second album was the sound of a band really coming into their own. While an extension of the first, it further gave a glimpse of what might follow. It began to broaden the dynamics of the bands’ sounds. Many times regarded by fans as "doing what the first album did but better".
TINY MUSIC / ZEP III:
Third album: the "experimental" record. The band returned with a different sound. They pushed themselves and their fan-base. Some casual fans felt alienated, might have moved on. Both albums were deemed commercial disappointments but over time, both Zep III and Tiny Music were rewarded with newfound appreciation and it was the album that each band respectively needed to make. Fans understand that album much more in the midst of the full catalog, more than they did upon release.
[insert: STP’s status, were they going to break up? Would they return? Zeppelin also “disappeared” briefly to make their next album that would make or break their continued success]
NO.4 / ZEP IV:
Fourth album was a conglomeration of all the various pieces and influences that made the band. The rock roots were there, the experimentation was there, the influences were on full display. The album titles lend themselves too (although technically Zep IV was untitled). And after the trippy artwork on each band’s previous album, Zep refused to list their name on their 4th album while STP’s minimal artwork/branding is similar in how it differed from their previous album.
SLDD / HOUSES OF THE HOLY:
Album 5 is the band moving in a new direction. On a creative high. Sounding like nothing they’d done before but all the while still very much who they were. Brighter colors, vivid mood & production. While Zeppelin clearly had more success, this was STP’s touring peak. They never sounded better.
Unfortunately, after everything dissolved on the SLDD tour and Scott ended up with VR, we fans missed out on that possible double album that they wanted to put out for years... STP’s Physical Graffiti?
Anyway, I’m probably overthinking it, but as both bands in my all-time top 5, I couldn’t help it.
