14:59

14:59
Studio album by Sugar Ray
Released	January 12, 1999
Recorded	1998
Genre	Alternative rock, pop rock
Length	40:30
Label	Atlantic
Producer	David Kahne, except for "Abracadabra" which was produced by Ralph Sall
Sugar Ray chronology
Floored (1997) 14:59 (1999) Sugar Ray (2001)
Singles from 14:59
"Every Morning" Released: March 2, 1999 "Someday" Released: June 15, 1999 "Falls Apart" Released: December 28, 1999

14:59 is the third album by the band Sugar Ray, released on January 12, 1999. It entered the top 20 on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 17^[1] and certified triple-platinum by the RIAA. The album shows the band moving into a more mainstream pop rock sound, away from their earlier alternative metal sound, due to the success of their single "Fly" off their prior album, Floored. The album's title itself was a jab at critics who considered the band a one-hit wonder and were merely enjoying their "fifteen minutes of fame".

Background

In 1997, Sugar released their second album, Floored. While largely an alternative metal album, late in the recording sessions, the band recorded a much poppier track, the pop rock song Fly. The track became a surprise hit. The track's massive success inspired the band to further pursue the sound on their following album, 14:59.^[2]

Sound

The album's sound has elements of alternative rock^[3] and pop rock.^[4] "Aim for Me" is a punk rock track in the vein of Green Day and "Falls Apart" and "Personal Space Invader" take influence from Synchronicity and Men Without Hats,^[5] while "Burning Dog" has a skate punk sound similar to The Offspring and "Live & Direct" features vocals from KRS-One.^[6] In addition, "Every Morning" (that has been called an acoustic pop number^[5]), "Someday" and "Ode to the Lonely Hearted" are reminiscent of previous hit single "Fly".^[6] The album also features two comedic songs titled "New Direction", the former being more metal-influenced and the latter a circus music instrumental.^[5]

Promotion and release

The song "Glory" was used in the film American Pie, and featured on the soundtrack album.^[7]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Entertainment Weekly	C+[6]
Los Angeles Times	[8]
NME	7/10[9]
Robert Christgau	[10]
Rolling Stone	[11]

The album was generally well received by critics. Paul Pearson of AllMusic stated, "Their third album showed an alarming overhaul in their approach...from their metal shellac toward a calmer, melodious pastiche of songs. and concluded that 14:59 has such catchiness and charm that it's a guilty pleasure of high order, and a bigger step than one might have expected from Sugar Ray."^[5] NME's referred to the album as a "hellishly difficult record to hate...Not that this is especially inspired stuff, but, if you wanted a soundtrack for the kind of sun-kissed pool-party the sleeve depicts, 14:59 is maybe as good as you could get today."^[9] Rolling Stone praised the album for its diversity and for not sticking too closely to the sound of "Fly" stating that the band instead "...go[es] off the deep end with gorgeous psychedelic guitar hooks and drum loops, and Mark McGrath's wise-guy futon talk... everything they play is shaped by the cut-and-paste aesthetic of the sampler."^[11] Robert Christgau picked out the album's song, "Every Morning", as a choice cut.^[10]

David Browne of Entertainment Weekly was less positive and stated: "It's genuinely hard to hate Sugar Ray; [...] Still, listening to '14:59' is a somewhat sad, depressing experience. [...] The album is the sound of a band resigned to the possibility that they may be one-hit wunderkinds and that the 2 million fans who bought their last album may have moved on to Barenaked Ladies."^[6]

Track listing

1. "New Direction" – 0:47
2. "Every Morning" – 3:39
3. "Falls Apart" – 4:15
4. "Personal Space Invader" – 3:38
5. "Live & Direct" – 4:34 featuring KRS-One
6. "Someday" – 4:03
7. "Aim for Me" – 2:20
8. "Ode to the Lonely Hearted" – 3:12
9. "Burning Dog" – 3:01
10. "Even Though" – 2:35
11. "Abracadabra" – 3:42 Steve Miller Band cover
12. "Glory" – 3:26
13. "New Direction" – 1:17

Sugar Ray sold a different version of the 14:59 album to audiences that attended their live tour. This album included 5 tracks^[12] not found on the retail version. These tracks are:

• The hit "Fly" from their previous Floored album
• The original demo recording of "Aim for Me"
• A live acoustic version of "Every Morning"
• The radio edit of "Falls Apart"
• "Rivers", a song written in the style of and in tribute to Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo

References