Review: Candlebox “Love Stories and Other Musings”

Rock
Multi-platinum rockers Candlebox keep the rock 'n' roll flame alive with their first studio album in nearly four years, “Love Stories & Other Musings”, due April 3. Produced by Ken Andrews (Pete Yorn, A Perfect Circle, Tenacious D, Beck), “Love Stories & Other Musings” features nine new tracks and five bonus tracks, which are re-recordings of some of their biggest hits including "Far Behind", “You”, and "Cover Me."

I must admit I’ve always carried a torch for Candlebox. Sometimes referred to as that “other Seattle band”, these guys never struck me as a grunge outfit, but more of a modern band with classic rock influences. The musicianship is a cut above the rest and Kevin Martin always sings his lungs out with his amazing voice. Best of all, the band knows that a good hook is necessary to make a song memorable, and they can write such melodies without compromising one iota of their rock bravado.

"I haven't felt this way about a release from Candlebox since our first record. The feeling for this record is both refreshing and stimulating," said guitarist Peter Klett. "I can't be more excited to release this music to the fans who have been with us for so long." Kevin Martin adds, "This record…is our music and our love for what a great gift we have been given. 'Love Stories & Other Musings' is a new direction for us and I couldn't be happier to share it with our fans." Fans need not worry – the band doesn’t stray too far from what you are salivating for. The new direction is a natural evolution – an evolution towards even better songwriting. Tighter, more melodious, and more eventful.

You can feel the band’s renaissance in the energetic lead off track, “Youth In Revolt”, which is an anthem in the making and quickly reminds us of the musical power this band can wield. For “Sweet Summertime”, the band downshifts to an infectious mid-tempo beat that is perfect for cruising down the highway with the top rolled down. “Believe In It”, the first single, is another winner – instantly gripping and dripping with inspirational lyrics. As you might surmise from the record’s title, the band showcases its softer side quite a bit on this record. The good news is that Candlebox is a band that can write a genuine love song without it sounding silly or oozing with cheese. There is a sultry and haunting song in “Turn Your Heart Around”, but even better is the aching “Come Home”, which contains some of the best chorus harmonies the band has ever performed. “Baby Love” begins with a tender piano and guitar riff, but kicks into a wonderfully pleasant upbeat song soon enough.

I would have preferred a couple more new rocking tracks rather than the “bonus re-recordings”, but can’t complain because the nine new songs really bring it. Another excellent job from an underrated band. Get the record, and be sure to catch Candlebox on the road beginning April 7 – check their web site for details.

Candlebox – Official site.

Check out “Believe In It”:

Kneejerk: The Gracious Few – Gin Blossoms

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


The Gracious Few “The Gracious Few”

Mix three parts Live (bassist, drummer, guitarist) and two parts Candlebox (vocals and guitarist) and you get The Gracious Few. The sound is pretty much what you would expect, but thanks in no small part to vocalist Kevin Martin, The Gracious Few sound pretty much like Candlebox. One is tempted to retort that The Gracious Few sound like Live without vocalist Ed Kowalczyk (his solo effort is reviewed here by the way), but that is inaccurate because Live could write good songs that generally did not bore you to tears. I was really looking forward to this collaboration, but there is little here to fuel any fire. The guys are trying to modernize the sounds of their 70s rock heroes but the results are anything but gracious, with wasted riffs and vocal talent rarely congregating around an engaging hook. The exceptions to this tragedy include “Sing” and “The Rest Of You”.


Gin Blossoms “No Chocolate Cake”

Everyone’s favorite pop rock band from the 90s returns once again with “No Chocolate Cake” – the follow up to the acclaimed comeback record “Major Lodge Victory” from 2006. The title “No Chocolate Cake” might seem to suggest this record is not a decent dessert to follow "Major Lodge Victory" – but this band can have its cake and eat it too. Their latest contains 11 more high-calorie tunes packing plenty of sugary melodies and sweet sentiments. There’s no new territory explored here, save the horn-laden “Dead Or Alive On the 405”, but to venture into new ground for a band like this would be a slap in the face to their fanbase. So the Gin Blossoms deliver what they do best. Standouts include driving rockers like “Don't Change For Me”, the built-for-radio single, “Miss Disarray”, and the acoustic-driven “Wave Bye Bye”. But don’t underestimate the pull of their mellow side, especially the breezy “I Don't Want To Lose You Now”, “Something Real”, and their best ballad in a long time, “If You'll Be Mine”. With a sagging middle bringing the record down a bit, I’m not sure it will be the first Gin Blossoms record I reach for when the mood strikes…but it is a worthy addition to their catalogue.

I don't know how long it will last, but you can download the new Gin Blossoms album in its entirety for only $3.99 at Amazon - well worth it! Click here.

Review: Candlebox “Into the Sun”

I was very excited to hear that Candlebox had reunited to record “Into the Sun”, their fourth studio release. Though hailing from Seattle and breaking during the advent of grunge, Candlebox really is more straight-up rock and roll than anything else. Moreover, their records have gotten increasingly melodic with the exception of the strange misstep that was their sophomore record (“Lucy”).

“Into the Sun” gracefully picks up where the excellent “Happy Pills” left off ten (!) years ago. Kevin Martin (also of the Hiwatts) still sounds fantastic; he sings his heart out on the rockers and infuses the ballads with a good dose of soul. The record starts off with two angry and blistering rock tracks, “Stand” and “Bitches Brewin’”, written and performed in the style that made their monstrous debut so popular. The band showcases their talents for rock balladry more than ever with outstanding works such as “Surrendering”, “Miss You, and “Breathe Me In”, which capture some of the finer moments from “Happy Pills” like “Sometimes” and “It’s Alright”. The title track is a brilliant, dark opus that delivers a huge hook in the chorus and leaves you with a cool change up in the coda.

The reunion works and I hope we do not have to wait another decade for more from Candlebox. Kevin Martin is channeling some Robert Plant at times, the musicianship and production are top-notch, and lyrics are generally of high quality.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12

Candlebox on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the music video for “Stand”: