Happy Pills

Happy Pills
Studio album by Candlebox
Released July 21, 1998
Genre Post-grunge
Length 56:08
Label Maverick
Candlebox chronology
Lucy
(1995)		 Happy Pills
(1998)		 Into the Sun
(2008)
Singles from Happy Pills
  1. "It's Alright"
    Released: 1998
  2. "10,000 Horses"
    Released: 1998
  3. "Happy Pills"
    Released: 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Entertainment Weekly (C-)[2]

Happy Pills is the third studio album by Seattle post-grunge band, Candlebox. It features former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen who replaced Scott Mercado in 1997. Happy Pills did not gain the success of its predecessors and would be the last Candlebox album before their hiatus in 2000. It would also be the final Candlebox album recorded for Maverick.

Four of the album's tracks would be included on The Best of Candlebox in 2006.

Contents

Background and recording

The band had asked their fans to submit concept cover art for their upcoming album. They originally promised the gold press CD for the 1st place winner but after having trouble obtaining it, awarded a personalized platinum plaque.

Three songs were left unfinished from the Happy Pills recording sessions. These were intended to be completed for B-side release in 1999.[3]

Touring and promotion

Touring for Happy Pills began only after the album's recording and release. In a 2007 interview, frontman Kevin Martin expressed regret in this process, stating that the songs have been able to mature through the following years of live performances.[4]

The band's concert schedule would face numerous defects. In mid 1998, Martin suffered a burst blood vessel in his throat, forcing the band to cancel some shows. Months later, they were asked to join Aerosmith on the 9th leg of their Nine Lives Tour in December. Krusen departed from Candlebox in January 1999 and was replaced by Shannon Larkin of Ugly Kid Joe. Bardi Martin also left for college and was replaced by Rob Redick, formerly of Dig.

"It's Alright" would be the album's lead single and chart well. A music video was filmed but after a negative response from the band, a second version was quickly shot in California on July 7.[5]

Track listing

  1. "10,000 Horses" — 5:10
  2. "Happy Pills" — 3:26
  3. "Blinders" — 5:49
  4. "It's Alright" — 5:23
  5. "A Stone's Throw Away" — 5:41
  6. "So Real" — 3:54
  7. "Offerings" — 4:17
  8. "Sometimes" — 5:08
  9. "Step Back" — 4:30
  10. "Belmore Place" — 4:02
  11. "Breakaway" — 4:15
  12. "Look What You've Done" — 4:33

Chart positions

Singles

Year Title Peak Chart positions
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock
1998 "It's Alright" - 32 2
"10,000 Horses" - - 13
1999 "Happy Pills" - - 17

Personnel

Candlebox

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ Entertainment Weekly review
  3. ^ Glowing Soul keepinyaregular Volume 4, Issue 2 (December 1998). Retrieved on 12-14-10.
  4. ^ Candlebox Interview Garage Radio Magazine (2007). Retrieved on 12-12-10.
  5. ^ July Update / 98 keepinyaregular (July 9, 1998). Retrieved on 12-12-10.
Candlebox
Kevin Martin · Peter Klett · Sean Hennesy · Adam Kury · Scott Mercado
Dave Krusen · Shannon Larkin · Rob Redick  · Stewart Griffin · Robbie Allen · Bardi Martin
Studio albums
Candlebox · Lucy · Happy Pills · Into the Sun
Compilations
Live albums
Alive in Seattle
Singles
"Change" · "You" · "Far Behind" · "Cover Me" · "Simple Lessons" · "Understanding" · "Best Friend" · "It's Alright" · "10,000 Horses" · "Happy Pills" · "Stand" · "Surrendering" · "Miss You"  · "A Kiss Before"
Associated acts

The Gracious Few · The Hiwatts · The Kings Royal