Customer Reviews

Candlebox

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Remember the days when good rock was part of popular music. Things have changed a lot since the early and mid 90's, for the worse. Remember when bands like Candlebox, Live, Pearl Jam, Better Than Ezra, Counting Crows, Collective Soul, etc. ruled the airwaves. Unfortunately, while many of these bands are now making just as good if not better records today, they are now considered as the bands "that used to be good". Enough complaining, now onto the review of this CD.

Candlebox's self-titled debut starts off with the thunderous drumbeats of "Don't You" to get the listener ready for a wonderful ride through the slow to fast, soft to loud songs that encompass Kevin Martin's raw, spine tingling vocals along with Peter Klett's brilliant and distinct guitar work. Next is "Change", which is a great break-up song (from personal experience), followed by the anti-drug anthem "You". "Far-behind" is a classic whose lyrics are many times taken for granted. "Arrow" is a flat out rocker with heavy guitars. "Rain", all 6:58 min, shows the bands musical range, that includes a funky-groove complimented by Martin's singing style and some screeching guitar solos. The CD wraps up perfectly with two amazing acoustic songs, "Cover Me" and "He Calls Home". "Cover Me" starts off with a great acoustic riff and then totally explodes into the chorus. "He Calls Home" is a bit softer with a circling chorus. Just when you think the song is over, Kevin Martin's voice soars for one more minute to wrap up the album.

Oh Yeah, did I mention that I highly recommend this CD to everyone, especially those kids nowadays who think 3 Doors Down is rock music and that Fred Durst is a genious.

Candlebox's self-titled debut album is really great. A few listens and you'll be hooked - but there are 2 catches: one, you have to have an open mind about what rock music can and should be; and two, you have to be at least mildly intrigued by and interested in blues rock. Bcuz that's what Candlebox is, essentially. They're a kind of modern blues-rock, mixed with hard rock. Forget people who say that Candlebox is "grunge" - they really aren't. The only reason they're labeled as such is bcuz they were based outta Seattle (although I don't think any of the 4 original members were even initially from there). But, if you listen to any of their 3 albums, you'll realize that Candlebox is nothing like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, A-in-C, or any other rock group smacked with the grunge label. No, Candlebox is very different, very unique, and very good! Come on, try some of their songs. After you get used to their style, you'll definitely fall in love with (or at least be impressed by) such gems as "You", "Far Behind", "Rain", "Cover Me", and "He Calls Home", to name a few. And if you let it, Kevin Martin's voice will send pleasant chills up and down your spine! :) So onward, my rock music friends and fans: try Candlebox. And if you find you like them, by all means go on to "Lucy" and "Happy Pills". But before you do so, read my other reviews for tips! ;)

(By the way, if you're curious, the only reason why this album doesn't get 5 stars is bcuz - in my humble opinion - "Happy Pills" is a better album and thus much more worthy of the complete honor.)

Candlebox rises from a genre that is hardly original, even back in '93 when this CD was released, to bring us a stellar self titled disc.

From the opening blasting riff of "Don't You" it is pretty obvious what you are in for on this disc. Kevin Martin's emotion filled screams are relentless in getting his point across and Peter Klett's guitar is, at times, amazing. After this album got quite huge, Guitar World named Klett best new guitarist; and rightly so.

The opener, "Don't You" is a kick-axx rock and roll song. "Change" starts off a mellow quiet tune, leading into a nitrous burning, angry tune fuelled by the basic three chord progression and Kevin Martin's vocals.

I've never understood why "You" was a big hit. It's a decent song, but I've always found it a snoozer compared to the other songs on here.

"No Sense" is an ok song, the bright spot being the solo. Peter Klett really lets go with an extremely bluesy offering for the first half. After recording this part of the solo, Peter Klett said that Kevin Martin felt compelled to scream, "I AM THE LIZARD KING!" Kind of a testament to the solo.

By playing "Far Behind" you run the risk of getting a lot of sap on your CD player. Still, I really enjoy this song. Peter Klett lets his imagination go on the opening intro to the song and Kevin Martin relies on some more subdued vocals for a more sombre effect; both guys letting go in the chorus and at the end for a tortured result.

"Blossom" is a slower, subdued, rambling piece while "Arrow" is another fuel injected burner.

"Rain" is one of my favorite tracks here. The verses on this song are flat-out blues. There's no denying it here. I picture a smoky, low lit room , with these guys in a groove that they'd never want to get out of. From the blues of this song, it kicks into a hard rock jam ending with Scott Mercado receiving kudos for his drumming.

"Mother's Dream" is a wierd song. It features some distorted vocals and a dark opening.

"Cover Me" is another highly recognizable song. The acoustic guitar opener shuffles through into a rage induced rocker that is hard to match in intensity.

The disc ends off with the acoustic and probably biggest underdog on this disc, "He Calls Home". This song is one that a lot of people don't talk about, but it's a hidden gem on this CD.

Scott Mercado and Bardi Martin round out the quartet providing the rhythm section. I haven't given them much credit in this review, but they are deserving. Both are excellent musicians, their playing complementing each song perfectly.

There is a lot of emotion to be had on this disc and Candlebox keeps it at 11 for most of it. A recurring theme in this disc is lost love and the vindication of being free from an oppressive spouse. It's an optimistic and empowering listen, if nothing else. Overall, this disc doesn't break any new ground but it plays on the existing with style that made this disc a deserving hit.

Candlebox made it's mark on the history of alternative music of the 1990's, then faded away. While they had enough potential to grab the attention of the public, and a major record label, they had little staying power at a time when other bands like them flooded the market. Soul Asylum, Gin Blossums, Blind Melon, all came to the same ending."You", "Cover Me", "Far Behind" and "Change" were the highlights of this recording, and they are the songs that speak for the band. Unfortunately, they had very little in the way of versitility and imagination, and pretty much speak for the band's entire career. All their eggs are here in this one basket.If you like Candlebox, you might not agree with me. But the general record buying public spoke loudly when "Lucy", Candlebox's sophmore CD, went straight to the bargain bins. If you want the best of what represents Candlebox, you are best to stick to this CD and leave it at that.

There are few albums that hold ground that are not deemed worthy by the masses...so I ask myself: Why are people reviewing the album (when will that moniker die once and for all) after 11 years? It holds true...sure there are bits that mimic the sound at the time. Of course one can hear the influences of Pearl Jam and Sound Garden but can you really say they copped them? Grunge was here and gone because it was labeled, commercialized and classified. Once I saw Team Spirit on MTV I knew it would be gone before it was here...But...listen to some alternative bands from the 90s to today...little grungy no?

Again, great music lasts the test of time. This one...from beginning to end still provokes goose bumps and I bet you can pass it off on your 14 year old son as a new...very cool...alternative band. Take it for a spin with no prejudices, if you like rock it will do for you as it did for me.

"Regard all critics as dangerous and worthless." Candlebox received endless comparisons to Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and the like with the release of this album - but the truth is, they sound nothing like either of these bands.

I bought the album after listening to the last 30-45 seconds of "You" on the radio in '94 - maybe that gives some insight as to how amazing this group is. The lyrics, the vocals, the guitars, *everything* mixed together provides for such a captivating sound that anyone would be hardpressed to find anywhere. Kevin Martin's voice seems to reach into one's mind and shake it, livening one's senses. Peter Klett's guitars on this album range from rocking and hard ("Don't You", "Arrow") to psychedelic ("Mothers Dream") and beautiful ("Cover Me"). It's dynamic and it's honest and it's amazing. Buy it.

Well it's been more than 10 years since this CD was made. I bought it a couple months after that. And since then, I've listened to this CD at least once a week for those 10 years. In my opinion, this is the best album ever, and Far Behind is the best song ever written. The reason why I rate this album so highly is because it's full of emotion. Kevin Martin sings his heart out here, and you can really feel what he's saying in "You" and "Far Behind". The lyrics are great all around on this one. Some of the best guitar solos of the 90's are on this album, on the tracks "No Sense" and "Rain", and the musicianship on this album as a whole is very good. Candlebox is definitely the forgotten band of the whole "grunge" movement, and the most underrated which is a shame. It's a shame because Candlebox didn't quite sound like any other early 90's grunge bands, they were fairly unique. Still, their debut album rocks from the fast paced opener "Don't You" all the way through to the somber acoustic ballad "He Calls Home"; which is a perfect ending to this one, in my opinion. So, in conclusion, if you're looking for a hard rock album with some amazing songs and a pretty unique sound, check this one out. 10 out of 10.

I grew up with the grunge thing, Nirvana, Soundgarden, et al. It was music I really got into, y'know? Even still, with all those great cd's I bought back then, this album is, maybe not the best, but definitely my favorite from that time; to me, this album rocks harder and deeper than Ten, Dirt, Superunknown, and even Nevermind. Like I said, it may not be the best (it's up there in that category, too, though), but it's my favorite. Without a doubt, buy this album if you don't have it already. In fact, forget waiting on the mail--go down to the local store and buy it.

still their most popular record, candlebox's self-titled debut remains a relevant record. it isn't amazingly strong or consistent, but there is enough here to make it worthwhile. the memorable hits "far behind", "cover me", "you", and "change" are all here. "far behind" is one of the best power ballads ever written. there's true musicianship and feeling here. "cover me" is good but perhaps not as powerful, and the other two are harder numbers but have their subtleties that make them last beyond the first few listens. a hidden gem, and one of the best songs on this disc is the quasi-jeff buckley-like roller "rain". it's got a soft lounge-feel at some points, but eventually delves off into a longer jam by the song's end. it's interesting and well-done. "he calls home" is another stand-out, again with a smoother texture to it. this band is clearly better when it avoids the hard-rock edge it seems to lean to far too often. their lighter side certainly isn't sappy (possible exception of "cover me") and it is well served by kevin martin's distinct and strong voice. peter klett only makes these songs more pleasurable with his techinically brilliant guitar work. it's too bad the rest of the album sags and is remarkably worse than those songs. if this album were longer, it would undoubtedly have suffered more, but as it is the lack of consistency is forgivable because it's a pretty even split. there is plenty of room to grow as well, but unfortunately candlebox seems averse to steer away from their initial formula, which makes "candlebox" their most enjoyable effort until they can proceed with their better ideas in a coherent and cohesive way.

Candlebox appeared on the music scene in 1993 and made a few albums before disappearing into obscurity. That's too bad, since they are actually a really good rock band with a solid, 90's grunge sound. But this album doesn't stop at that. It does spread its wings a bit. One track has a bluesy feel to it, another track has a classic rock feel to it.

Far Behind is probably the most well-known track on this CD, and arguably their most known track of all. It is a gem too, but it is definitely not the only good one.

This disc can be hard to find in stores. I wasn't even looking for it, I had actually forgotten all about Candlebox until I stumbled upon this CD in the used bin of my local record store for $2. It is a bit scratched and there was no track listing provided, but I took a chance and got it anyway. I am certainly glad I did. I think any fans of 90's rock would be happy to stumble upon this one!