February Son

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February Son
Studio album by Oleander
Released February 23, 1999
Recorded Studio D in San Francisco, California
Genre Post-grunge
Length 44:57
Label Republic
Producer Steven Haigler
Oleander chronology

Shrinking the Blob
(1997)		 February Son
(1999)		 Unwind
(2001)

February Son is the major label debut album from post-grunge band Oleander. It was released on Universal Records in 1999 and eventually went gold. As such, February Son boasts some of Oleander's most successful singles. It also includes new drummer Scott Devours who was hired to replace the band's original drummer, Fred Nelson Jr. Most of the songs on the album had been previously released on the band's independent debut.

Promotion and touring

The album features Oleander's breakout lead single, "Why I'm Here," and "I Walk Alone." The latter had a music video while the lead single was featured on the popular TV series Dawson's Creek. A cover of The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry" would serve as a UK single backed by a video in the summer of 2000. Directed by Cousin Mike, the video stars Bloodhound Gang leader Jimmy Pop who played a nerdy man living in an apartment. Oleander surrounds him as they loudly perform the song, forcing him to weep. Frontman Thomas Flowers explained that the song "really typifies and exemplifies everything that I'm already trying to say on the album."[1]

"Why I'm Here" appeared on Now, Vol. 3 and Universal Smash Hits. "I Walk Alone" landed on the Bravo Hits, Vol. 28 and Shine! compilations, and Gravity Games 2000: Summer Sounds, Vol. 1 featured "Where Were You Then?".

In promotion of February Son, the group opened for the headlining Creed and Our Lady Peace.[2] They also performed at Woodstock '99. In December 1999, Oleander and Kid Rock performed a charity concert for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The band also played a New Year's Eve concert with Fastball at the Sacramento Convention Center.[3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [4]

February Son received some criticism for allegedly imitating the influential grunge flagship Nirvana, particularly on "Why I'm Here" which begins with a similar note pattern as "Heart-Shaped Box."[5] However, despite the accusation, other songs have been cited as boasting unique and enjoyable melodies, and the album managed to sell over a half-million copies.

Adrianne Stone of Rolling Stone also described the album with content. She cited, "Razor sharp guitars on 'Lost Cause,' violin enhancing the warm tones of first single 'Why I'm Here,' and a surprise false ending on 'Never Again' are typical augmentations on a riff-laden album that hints of Nirvana's pained alterna-pop."[6]

Track listing

(All songs written by Thomas Flowers and Oleander, except where noted)

  1. "You'll Find Out" – 3:12
  2. "Stupid" – 3:51
  3. "Down When I'm Loaded" – 4:24
  4. "Why I'm Here" – 3:58
  5. "I Walk Alone" – 4:09
  6. "Lost Cause" – 4:28
  7. "Where Were You Then?" – 4:05
  8. "Shrinking The Blob" (Flowers, Ivanisevich) – 4:25
  9. "How Could I?" – 5:13
  10. "Boys Don't Cry" (Dempsey, Smith, Tolhurst) – 3:14
  11. "Never Again" – 3:58

Personnel

  • Thomas Flowers - vocals, guitar
  • Doug Eldridge - bass guitar
  • Ric Ivanisevich - guitar
  • Fred Nelson, Jr. - drums
Additional personnel:
    • Jonathan Mover
    • Rich Mouser
    • Kristina Kopriva
    • Steven "Tambourine Man" Haigler

Chart positions

Album

Chart Peak
position		 Year
Billboard 200 115 1999
Top Heatseekers 1 1999

Singles

Song Chart Peak
position		 Year
"Why I'm Here" Mainstream Rock Tracks 3 1999
"Why I'm Here" Modern Rock Tracks 13 1999
"I Walk Alone" Mainstream Rock Tracks 24 1999
"I Walk Alone" Modern Rock Tracks 37 1999

External links

References

  1. ↑ Gottlieb, Meridith Oleander Taps Bloodhound Gang's Pop For Video MTV.com (June 12, 2000). Retrieved on 5-12-09.
  2. ↑ Bercovici, Jeff Creed Saves: In Concert with Oleander and Our Lady Peace NYRock.com (October 1999). Retrieved on 1-05-08.
  3. ↑ Basham, David Kid Rock, Oleander To Play Food Bank Benefit MTV.com (December 8, 1999). Retrieved on 5-12-09.
  4. ↑ Allmusic review
  5. ↑ Michael Christopher. "Thomas Flowers of Oleander". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-12-07. 
  6. ↑ Stone, Adrianne Oleander Toy With Love, Agression, Melody Rolling Stone (February 24, 1999). Retrieved on 5-12-09.
Oleander
Studio albums
EPs
  • Oleander
  • Runaway Train EP
Singles
  • "Down When I'm Loaded"
  • "Why I'm Here"
  • "I Walk Alone"
  • "Boys Don't Cry"
  • "Are You There?"
  • "Champion"
  • "Halo"
  • "Hands Off the Wheel"
  • "Daylight"
  • "Fight!"
  • "Something Beautiful"
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