Customer Reviews

Happy Pills

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Candlebox's 3rd album, and yet another change in direction from this band. Where "Lucy" was underproduced and had a garage feel to it, "Happy Pills" leans more towards classic hard rock, and reminds me of Aerosmith at times. Once again, it's another extremely solid and great album from Candlebox, though sadly their last. "10,000 Horses" is a good opener, a well-written catchy hard rock song. "Happy Pills" is the heaviest and angriest song on here, and is helped by an excellent dual-guitar solo, and an awesome riff. It's one of my favorites. The songs are lighter overall on this one, and acoustic guitars are used much more than on the previous C-box albums. The song in which the acoustics stand out the most is the ballad "Sometimes", which is a very deep song with moving lyrics. It's also one of the best on here, and probably one of the best love songs I've ever heard. "A Stone's Throw Away" is a blues-based song, with some excellent lead guitar in it, it's another well-written song musically and lyrically. The other songs on here are pretty enjoyable, so overall it's a great album. In conclusion, it's got great guitarwork and great lyrics/vocals from Kevin Martin. Recommended for fans of Candlebox; and fans of hard rock (Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Zeppelin, etc.) should enjoy this as well. I'd give it a 9/10 on the Joe scale.

If you listen to the critics about Happy Pills, you are obviously a nut. This CD is definately a mile in front of 'Candlebox' and 'Lucy', and the style of music has definately taken a step forward. '10,000 Horses' should have become a rock anthem. Every track on this CD is fantastic. I thoroughly recommend this record to anyone who has a taste in fine music.

Well done Candlebox.

I'll admit that there was a reason why Candlebox never skyrocketed to the amount of fame of Soundgarden or Pearl Jam- they just never had the same kind of "edge." The reason certainly wasn't the lack of a good guitarist- as Peter Klett continually has done great work for them with a really signature sound. And the reason DEFINITELY wasn't the lack of a good singer. In fact, I will go a step bolder here- Kevin Martin was THE greatest rock singer of the nineties- in terms of pure talent alone. Maybe his hooks weren't as catchy as Vedder's or Cornell's or Staley's or Cobain's, and maybe he never gained attention by doing weird things with his voice like they did, but (pardon the cliche), the man sang his heart out. He did it on unforgettable older songs such as "You" (my favorite Candlebox song to date), and his voice seems to have only improved as Candlebox have progressed. On "Happy Pills," the style has toned down quite a lot- no more songs like "You," I'm afraid. In fact, it could almost be called easy listening. But damn, when you listen to Martin's passionate crooning on "10,000 Horses" and "A Stone's Throw Away," it's hard to really care. The other plus, aside from Martin alone, is that the band finally seem to have found a definitive sound on this album. You could hear two songs from Happy Pills at completely separate times without knowing anything about them, and still tell that they're on the same album. Not that all songs sound the same- the variation is quite gargantuan between the title track, which is the song most reminiscent of their debut album, and "Sometimes," the beautiful ballad that functions nicely as a centerpiece for the album. But still, the same underlying tone exists in all of the music on this album, which hint at a more mature and more calmed down Candlebox- almost like they actually did take some happy pills. Overall, it's quite solid even if it strays into "boring" territory on occasion- for example, the monotonous "Belmore Place," but still other songs dare to depart into the outright weird (the bold and amazing closer "Look What You've Done.") My only complaint is that they appear to have lost a little bit of their youthful "edge" they exhibited in songs like "Arrow" and the aforementioned "You." But that is to be expected. They are older now and have obviously settled into the kind of music they really want to write, and good for them.

the first candlebox c.d. was awesome and i figured "lucy" would be too. i was wrong and thought candlebox was washed up. now comes "happy pills" and their back again with a great c.d. i think a lot of people don't realize this , probably because it didn't get a lot of radio play and there are deeper cuts on the c.d. that are really terrific. If you liked the first c.d. you will like this one also

This album was already written-off by critics and most of the public shortly after it came out. Critics accused the band of deliberately recording a safe album because that was what would sell as grunge died.
But I think the band really grew and spread their wings. Maybe it was the production, but I still really love this album and wish it wasn't so under-rated.

If you are considering this album feel reassured that your money will go to great music. If you loved the first C'box CD, then you will enjoy this one. There is considerable debate as to which is better. The first is more raw and powerful. This one is more diverse and professional. Martin's vocals don't get any better than this and probably won't with time. "A Stone's Throw Away" is one of the best blues rock songs ever recorded. The vocals and guitar work are unbelievable. While there are numerous top-notch songs like Happy Pills and 10,000 Horses, a sure fire hit was "Sometimes". It was idiosy not to have released this one. One day someone will cover it and make a mint. C'box recently re-formed. I hope they are able to bring to life some of these gems with their new tour. Buy the album and see them in concert. They are very good.

For those of you who don't know, Candlebox are no longer together. They all went their seperate ways. It truly is a shame they weren't appreciated enough when they were together. While Happy Pills is probably there most "pop" album, it still contains the style and integrity that any true Candlebox fan would love.

10,000 horses makes a perfect opener to one of the great pure rock albums of the 90's. This, the last Candlebox album, contains the best rock ballads I've ever heard on one CD. I think the songs contain the most personal lyrics Kevin Martin has ever written. Actually you could make a case that tracks 3-5 (Blinders, It's Alright, A Stone's Throw Away) could have easily been made into a 15+ minute epic with the right transitions. Offerings and Step Back carry themselves in the vein of great rocks songs via The Black Crowes with great vocals by Martin that add the unforgetablue Candlebox touch. Another great and most balladesque (if that's a word) song is Sometimes. This album wraps up with a few feel good rock songs that compliment the rest of the songs perfectly.

For those of you still craving for more Candlebox, look for Kevin Martin's solo disc coming out in the near future, hopefully 2001.

O.K. So just like the 80's, the 90's has followed the same trend. Influences and copycats. But folks CANDLEBOX IS NOT ONE OF THEM!!! Much like TESLA in the early 90's. Candlebox was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And this album is 3 years to late. I feal if you reversed this album with Lucy the tables may have been turned. This album is so fantastic sonicly and lyricly, this should have followed up what was one of the best debut album's of the 90's. The album kicks off with "10,00 horses" which sucks you with it's mellow beauty and crunchy hook. Songs like "blinders","It's Alright", and my personal favorite "Step Back", also blend mellow hooks with heavier ones. Songs like Happy Plls","So Real", and "Look what you've done" just plain smoke. And "Breakaway" and "A Stone's Throw Away" mix bluesey guitar with fabulous Martin lyrics and Kleet riffs. The personal and very melodic "Sometimes" may be the most radio friendly song, but it is brilliant. All in all, I know with the music today that Candlebox may never get back to their 94/95 status. But if they keep putting out honest records with their own integrity and on their own terms(which I don't think they did with "Lucy"). I know that I will still be a die hard fan!! And hopefully the other Candlebox fans will be too!!!

It took me awhile to purchase this album but when I did, WOW! What change. What growth. WHAT AN ALBUM!!! Candlebox surprises here for sure. Just when everybody thought they were going away, BAM! Happy Pills comes out and is truly a dynamic and amazing album. They cover all of their musical bases on this release. It's cool, you cannot only hear where they've been but you can also hear where they're going, musically that is. I highly recommend purchasing this Cd. Happy Pills will be a classic. The best yet by cbox!

"Happy Pills" will most definitely make you happy - even w/out the pills! (Sorry...bad joke :) But really, people, this is the creme de la creme; it just doesn't get any better than this. Candlebox aims to please and thoroughly does so on this third and final album (sigh...Candlebox, come back!). I can honestly, unabashedly say that every song on this album is excellent. Even the one or two tracks that aren't so great are still great - if you know what I mean. You asked for better (after "Lucy"), and you didn't get that - you got the best! Ok...enough of that. Let me tell you just what makes "HP" so marvelous.

Kevin Martin, Kevin Martin, Kevin Martin! Can I say it enuff??? He's golden on this album. If you liked "Candlebox", hold on to your hat bcuz "Happy Pills" is even better. It's got even more rockin', excellent songs, and sprinkled in-between are a couple of balladesque tunes ("Sometimes" for example) - and Martin shines on every single one. You'll alternately love his screeching and his quiet, contemplative singing. But Martin's not the only one worthy of praise: Peter Klett is also genius on this album. His leading melodies are catchy, awe-inspiring, and genuinely beautiful. They're also timeless - I've honestly had days where all I've listened to is "HP" over and over again! And each time, I've fallen more in love with it. So PLEASE, dear reader, do yourself a favor: get "Happy Pills". Even if (increduously) you don't like/want the first two albums, at least get this one. It's fabulous! And although Candlebox generally started out as a more bluesy-hard rock band, "HP" leans more towards the latter (and just slightly away from the blues rock stuff), so it'll please even the more fickle modern rock enthusiasts.

So get "Happy Pills"! It's one of the few albums that I absolutely love through and through. All the songs are great - though personally, I think I like "A Stone's Throw Away" the best - just bcuz it's the one song (out of Candlebox's plentiful repertoire) that's the most jammin! (But beware - on this album, it's also the most bluesy. ;) So, I'll say it a final time: go "Happy Pills" all the way. I don't think you'll regret it for a moment (if anything, you'll lament the fact that Candlebox is no longer around). Enjoy!
{Peace, jem}