REVIEW: Candlebox, Happy Pills (Maverick)
- Linda Scott
Candlebox is looking for a musical change of direction with their newest release, Happy Pills. This Seattle-based band came along in the wake of the Seattle grunge groups like Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nirvana. Their self-titled first album sold over three million copies. Then grunge went into a tailspin, and the band's Lucy was an unsuccessful followup. Change is what's happened to Candlebox and their music on their third outing.
The band spent time rethinking their relationships, their sound, and their lyrics. After three years, Candlebox returns with a new drummer and a revised playing and writing style. They're hoping their old fans will support the changes and a lot of new ones will come on board.
Happy Pills is a mixed bag of rockers such as the title track and the first single "It's Alright". "It's Alright" is a great first release and may well be the best song on the album, but there's also "10,000 Horses" and midtempo songs such as "Sometimes" and "Breakaway", both having some interesting grooves and sounding more like the old band.
Another link to the old band is vocalist Kevin Martin. Martin's distinctive voice became well known with "Far Behind" from the first album, and his vocals are easily identified. Martin pours his heart into the lyrics and vocals here, and it shows. Sometimes you wish his voice were not so thin, not so reedy, but for the most part, the tracks on Happy Pills are sung well. Also doing a good job are guitarist Peter Klett and bassist Bardi Martin. Now with the departure of their original guitarist, they have been lucky enough to pick up Pearl Jam's Dave Krusen.
Happy Pills is an album for Candlebox to be proud of. If you like rock music, this is a good one. Candlebox fans would do well to get this one and decide if they want to change directions with their band. The old one doesn't seem to becoming back any time soon.
