Happy Pills
| Happy Pills | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 21, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1997-1998 | |||
| Studio | Rumbo Recorders, The Record Plant | |||
| Genre | Post-grunge | |||
| Length | 56:08 | |||
| Label | Maverick | |||
| Producer | Ron Nevison | |||
| Candlebox chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Happy Pills | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "10,000 Horses" on YouTube | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [1] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C−[2] |
| Wall of Sound | 38/100[3] |
Happy Pills is the third studio album by Seattle rock band, Candlebox. It features former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen who replaced Scott Mercado in 1997. Happy Pills did not gain the success of its predecessors and would be the last Candlebox album before their hiatus in 2000. It would also be the final Candlebox album recorded for Maverick.
Four of the album's tracks would be included on The Best of Candlebox in 2006.
The album was produced by Ron Nevison and Candlebox.
Background and recording[edit]
The band had asked their fans to submit concept cover art for their upcoming album. They originally promised the gold press CD for the 1st-place winner but after having trouble obtaining it, awarded a personalized platinum plaque.
Three songs were left unfinished from the Happy Pills recording sessions. These were intended to be completed for B-side release in 1999.[4]
Touring and promotion[edit]
Touring for Happy Pills began only after the album's recording and release. In a 2007 interview, frontman Kevin Martin expressed regret in this process, stating that the songs have been able to mature through the following years of live performances.[5]
The band's concert schedule would face numerous defects. In mid-1998, Martin suffered a burst blood vessel in his throat, forcing the band to cancel some shows. Months later, they were asked to join Aerosmith on the 9th leg of their Nine Lives Tour in December. Krusen departed from Candlebox in January 1999 and was replaced by Shannon Larkin of Ugly Kid Joe. Bardi Martin also left for college and was replaced by Rob Redick, formerly of Dig.
"It's Alright" would be the album's lead single and chart well. A music video was filmed but after a negative response from the band, a second version was quickly shot in California on July 7.[6]
Track listing[edit]
- "10,000 Horses" — 5:10
- "Happy Pills" — 3:26
- "Blinders" — 5:49
- "It's Alright" — 5:23
- "A Stone's Throw Away" — 5:41
- "So Real" — 3:54
- "Offerings" — 4:17
- "Sometimes" — 5:08
- "Step Back" — 4:30
- "Belmore Place" — 4:02
- "Breakaway" — 4:15
- "Look What You've Done" — 4:33
Chart positions[edit]
Singles[edit]
| Year | Title | Peak Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | ||
| 1998 | "It's Alright" | - | 32 | 2 |
| "10,000 Horses" | - | - | 13 | |
| 1999 | "Happy Pills" | - | - | 17 |
Personnel[edit]
Candlebox[edit]
- Kevin Martin – lead vocals
- Peter Klett – guitar
- Bardi Martin – bass
- Dave Krusen – drums
References[edit]
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ Hall, Russell. "Wall of Sound Review: Happy Pills". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on 2001-02-11. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ Glowing Soul Archived 2010-11-24 at the Wayback Machine keepinyaregular Volume 4, Issue 2 (December 1998). Retrieved on 12-14-10.
- ^ Candlebox Interview Archived 2011-01-01 at the Wayback Machine Garage Radio Magazine (2007). Retrieved on 12-12-10.
- ^ July Update / 98 Archived 2010-11-24 at the Wayback Machine keepinyaregular (July 9, 1998). Retrieved on 12-12-10.
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