Candlebox (CD - 1993)

Additional personnel: Randy Gane (Hammond organ); Scott Heard, Laurie Lewis (background vocals).

Producers: Thomas Newman, Candlebox, Kelly Gray, Jon Plum.

All songs written or co-written by Candlebox.

Personnel: Kevin Martin (vocals); Peter Klett (guitar); Scott Mercado (drums); Scott Heard, Laurie Lewis (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Kelly Gray; Candlebox.

Recording information: Bob Lang Studios (??/1992-04/1993); London Bridge Studios, Seattle, WA (??/1992-04/1993).

Photographer: Kevin Westenberg.

Candlebox rode the alternative bandwagon to the top of the charts with their self-titled debut album. Taking the heaviest moments of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains and adding both the confinements of a pop song and the attitude of album rock, Candlebox managed to sell over two million copies of their first album. Nothing on Candlebox is particularly catchy -- the singles "You" and "Far Behind" are the closest they come to memorable melodies -- but there is enough sheer riff power to satisfy fans of their singles. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The first rock band signed to Madonna's Maverick label, Candlebox have handsomely paid off the distinction by selling a few million copies of their self-titled debut while clocking in over a year on the Billboard Album Chart. Although Candlebox hail from Seattle, their style is not as dour or dirty-sounding as their grunge brethren. Musically, they straddle the gap between the glam metal of the late '80s and the Pacific Northwest sound that came roaring to the top of the charts in the early '90s. Kevin Martin's singing has a rasp that lends itself well to the minimal angst that permeates these songs, whether it's the desperation that comes with seeing a loved one slide into an abyss of drug addiction in "You" or the prequel of initial abandonment that is "Far Behind."

Contrasting these low-key numbers are rockers like "Arrow" and "Don't You" that howl with Peter Klett's aggressive leads. There are even mellower pastiches of jazz ("No Sense") and low-key blues ("Rain") showing Candlebox to be a band ignoring the conservative parameters of hard rock.

Atypical of the modern rock climate, Candlebox represents a long untapped corner of Seattle's music scene, and has found success on its own terms--without the benefit of flannel. minimize