I think I bought mine at Target, but my most vivid memory was how confused I was by how many different versions of the album there were. There was the standard 12 (or was it 13?) track version with no bonus tracks, there was a "Deluxe" edition in a standard jewel case with Samba Nova and a few live tracks as well as a bonus DVD (which is the version I bought and still own), then there was another "Deluxe" (I think?) version that was either in a Digipak or had a slipcase or something where the gold parts of the cover were actually foil and not just gold/mustard colored ink. I don't recall offhand if this was actually a variation of the standard album or the deluxe album, or if I ever even found out. There may have even been a 4th version that included About a Fool, but I don't remember for sure. I'm not sure why we needed so many different versions of this, but whatever. That said, I wouldn't mind getting a hold of the version with the foil accents since I thought that looked pretty cool, better than the standard art for sure. As I'm writing this, I'm realizing I don't even remember what's on the bonus DVD. Now I'm questioning if I've even ever popped it in! How funny is that. I mainly bought the Deluxe version for Samba Nova, which is a damn good song. The live tracks are alright. My biggest issue with STP and live tracks (the STP album bonuses as well as the Live in the Windy City DVD) is that all the vocals were overdubbed by either studio tracks or pieced together from other live shows where the vocal performance was considered superior. I don't know if this was a studio or band decision, or if we'll ever know, but this is a major point of contention for me. I absolutely fucking love live recordings, they depict a band in it's native, most raw environment. They are a true testament to a band's ability and it's all the so-called "imperfections" and quirks that make live recordings so cool. When bands/studios go back and edit live recordings, you're defeating the whole purpose. If what you want is a studio recording with audience noise, then why not just have the band re-record the hits in a studio and add an audience in the background during mixing? It doesn't make any sense to me, and it pisses me off. Live recordings should have no editing done of any kind save for maybe some graphic equalization or level adjustments to improve the playback experience. I could probably get over the digital removal of a cough/burp/sneeze or something, but even these things add to the authenticity. To replace guitar solos where the player may have flubbed a note or replace entire vocal tracks is an atrocity, not to mention false advertising. </tangent>
EDIT: I guess I should at least mention how I feel about the album, since that's what the thread is really here for. I liked the album on release, and I still like it and I think it's a DAMN shame that it wasn't received better by people. It's their best and most consistent album since Tiny Music to be sure. Weiland's vocal approach on some of the songs are not how I would've handled things, though; I'm not a fan of the high, nasally voice he seemed to favor on a handful of tracks like Dare if You Dare, Hazy Daze, etc. I remember not being a fan of the fact he used the Still Remains chorus voice on much of Tiny Music when it first came out, which is also more high pitched, but it doesn't bother me at all any more. The nasally voice on some of STP though is worse, sounds like he's singing while holding his nose. That's my only really gripe with the album, and it's only really applicable to 2-3 songs anyway. The lyrics aren't as good as Purple or Tiny Music, but neither are STP's other albums. While Between the Lines did pretty well, the comparisons to that Nirvana song and the lack of any other Plush-caliber singles are what really hurt the album, IMO. We live in a single-dominated musical environment now, nobody buys albums any more unless they're chock full of hits. Something I think is interesting to ponder that no one really ever mentions is how would SLDD have done had it been released when STP was instead of STP? I bet it would have tanked even worse than STP did.
