May 15, 2023

1993 - July: Candlebox “Candlebox”

44 minutes

Candlebox had a seemingly immediate success with their self-titled debut album in July 1993. The group had formed in November of 1990, with lead singer Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado as the founding members. They performed in clubs around Seattle, a musical mecca at the time that benefitted from the grunge movement, and released an EP that got the attention of the new Maverick Records. Maverick would sign Candlebox, and the group would be the studio's successful act.

While grunge was still king in Seattle and on the air waves at the time, Candlebox does not neatly fit into that category. Some of the band's work has a grunge feel, but it tends towards a more mainstream hard rock sound in general. The debut album Candlebox would peak at number 7 on the Billboard album charts, and would see a number of singles hit both the radio and video charts. The strength of their songs would land them as openers for Rush and Metallica, and they would be headlining their own tours by the end of 1994.

Despite the rapid success, the popularity of Candlebox was a slower burn at the time. The album did not enter the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart until August of 1994, and initial reviews were mixed. However, the album would remain on the chart for 104 weeks, and would be certified 4x platinum in the United States.

Candlebox would release three albums with Maverick Records before running into disputes, and they disbanded in 2000. A revised lineup would reappear in 2006, and a new album would be released in 2007. As of this podcast Candlebox has released seven albums and is still performing today.

Rob brings us this debut album for this week's podcast.

You

The second single was inspired by the time that lead singer Kevin Martin gave up drug dependency. He had seen Midnight Oil in concert and dedicated himself to becoming a rock singer. The single peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts. The song in 6/8 time alternates between a heavy rock feel on the chorus and a softer portion in the verses.

Don't You

This song leads off the album, and is a deeper cut that was not released as a single. It really rocks from the start. “And I could break your heart down as I tell you that you've burned out. Don't you? You want to let it go, yeah - you want to let it go, yeah.”

Rain

Another deeper cut with a very bluesy feel at the start that continues for several minutes before picking up the pace. The lyrics are about a woman leaving the singer, and the regret the singer feels at the loss. About three minutes in, it changes to a more rocking jazz section with a staccato scat meter in the lyrics.

Far Behind

The third single would be the big hit from the album. Their most commercially successful song went to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Album Rock chart. It was written as a tribute to Andrew Wood, a singer from the Seattle group Mother Love Bone, who died of a heroin overdose in 1990. The lyrics are written from the perspective of the drug that killed him.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Saturday Night by Ned's Atomic Dustbin (from the motion picture “So I Married an Axe Murderer”)

The Mike Myers dark comedy featured this cover of the Bay City Rollers' song on its soundtrack.

STAFF PICKS:

Long Day In the Universe by Darling Buds

Wayne opens up the staff picks with a deeper cut, and one that also appeared on the soundtrack to “So I Married an Axe Murderer.” The Darling Buds are from South Wales, forming in 1986 and disbanding in 1993. Andrew Lewis, the lead singer, tells about a woman that misses her man so much she can't wait for him to come home.

Dream All Day by The Posies

Bruce's staff pick is another Seattle band. This song hit number 4 on the Modern Rocks Chart and number 17 on the Mainstream Rocks chart. Band members and songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow wrote this about dreaming of accomplishing things that the singer either can't or won't achieve.

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart

Rock legend Rod Stewart begins his crooner phase with this cover of the Van Morrison classic from 1989. Lynch brings this staff pick which hit number 5 on the US and UK charts. Morrison originally wrote these lyrics inspired by spirituality and religious conviction.

Zooropa by U2

Rob reminds us just how big U2 was at the time with his staff pick. The “Zoo TV Tour” was a huge production, highlighting the commercialism of the time. “Be a winner, eat to get slimmer.” This song takes the form of a suite of three movements. The album of the same name was produced by Brian Eno.

COMEDY TRACK:

Achy Breaky Song by “Weird” Al Yankovic

We close out today's podcast with Weird Al's parody of the Billy Ray Cyrus country hit which was constantly played at the time.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings