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Numb (Hammerbox album)

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Numb
Studio album by
Released1993
GenreAlternative rock, grunge-pop[1]
Length41:59
LabelA&M
ProducerMichael Beinhorn
Hammerbox chronology
Hammerbox
(1991)
Numb
(1993)
Live EMP Skychurch, Seattle, WA
(2005)

Numb is the second and final studio album by the American band Hammerbox.[2][3] It was released in 1993 on A&M Records.[4] The first single was "Hole".[5]

The band supported the album by touring with King Missile and Sloan, among others.[6][7] The stress of being on a major label led in part to the band's breakup, as did A&M's inability to promote the album.[8][9]

Production

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The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn.[10] Although signed to a major label, the band tried to make the album sound more raw than its independent debut.[11]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]

Spin wrote that the album's "high-impact, tuneful noise expands on the earlier album's promise, refining the songcraft without sacrificing any of its nervy edge."[13] The Record considered it "for Seattle completists only," writing that Hammerbox "don't manage to imbue the already-tired genre with much personality of their own."[1]

The Los Angeles Times noted that "Carrie Akre's trained, Pat Benatar-like vocals seemed predictable in the context of the rough-and-tumble, high-speed music."[14] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette likened the sound of Numb to "the Indigo Girls trapped in Kurt Cobain's body."[15] Similarly, The Oregonian compared Hammerbox to "Melissa Etheridge fronting Nirvana," writing that "the band has precious few songs with sufficient structural clarity, melodies or even distinctive riffs."[16]

Track listing

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  1. "Hole" – 2:39
  2. "Hed" – 3:17
  3. "No" – 4:13
  4. "Blur" – 3:07
  5. "Outside" – 3:30
  6. "When 3 Is 2" – 4:26
  7. "Trip" – 3:27
  8. "Attack of the Slime Creatures" – 3:46
  9. "God" – 3:56
  10. "Simple Passing" – 2:01
  11. "Sleep" – 4:33
  12. "Anywhere But Here"– 3:04

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b Weiler, Derek (15 Apr 1993). "Numb Hammerbox". The Record. Kitchener. p. D9.
  2. ^ "Hammerbox Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "James Atkins of Hammerbox Has Died". Pitchfork. February 28, 2016.
  4. ^ Nelson, Rick (26 Feb 1993). "The rush to record Northwest bands isn't over". The Morning News Tribune. p. F8.
  5. ^ Yoo, Paula (March 4, 1993). "HAMMERBOX . . . MEET CONNECTICUT". The Seattle Times. p. E3.
  6. ^ Heim, Chris (9 Apr 1993). "King Missile and Hammerbox". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
  7. ^ Mayhew, Malcolm (June 4, 1993). "Sloan, Hammerbox wander in alternative wasteland". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 1D.
  8. ^ Ehrbar, Joe (2 Aug 1996). "GOODNESS! BAND RETURNS DESPITE POOR TURNOUT FIRST TIME AROUND". Weekend. The Spokesman-Review. p. 2.
  9. ^ Stout, Gene (June 14, 1996). "AFTER HAMMERBOX BREAKUP, CARRIE AKRE TRIES TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH 'GOODNESS'". What's Happening. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. 6.
  10. ^ The Encyclopedia of Record Producers. Billboard Books. 1999. p. 48.
  11. ^ Maestri, Cathy (May 21, 1993). "Cultivating a raw quality". The Press-Enterprise. p. AA17.
  12. ^ "Numb - Hammerbox". AllMusic.
  13. ^ Greer, Jim (May 1993). "Hammerbox". Spin. 9 (2): 8.
  14. ^ Ali, Lorraine (27 May 1993). "Disparate Bill of Alternative Rockers". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
  15. ^ Norman, Tony (April 16, 1993). "HAMMERBOX NUMB". Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 20.
  16. ^ Hughley, Marty (April 23, 1993). "Wednesday's bill also featured Hammerbox...". The Oregonian. p. D2.