Search - Candlebox :: Lucy (Definitive Remaster Series) (Original Recording Remastered)

1995 was just an odd year for music

The_Sink | Minneapolis, MN USA | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At a time when grunge was certainly in decline, and hard rock/heavy metal acts like Korn, Pantera, etc, were growing in popularity, Candlebox was unfairly neglected by radio, music lovers, and MTV. Despite the hugely successful self titled release two years prior, lucy was discarded by everybody as soon as it was released. And it was their finest work.



Many people complain that Candlebox didn't have a "defined" sound, which was perfectly reflected in lucy. I disagree with those people who see a dramatic shift between the band's first and second albums, but I suppose that is mainly subjective. Lyrically, lucy is simple; Kevin Martin chooses rhyming over substance in many songs, which is fine for the time period when everything was so serious and bleak. I don't see the overall bleakness of lucy like others, although uplifting is not a word one would use for the album or the band itself.



Musically, lucy is defined by the standouts: Simple Lessons, Understanding, and Butterfly (Reprise). Not the radio friendly music the self titled release contained, musically lucy is more "in your face" and raw. Combined with Martin's emotional yet simple lyrics, lucy is a powerful album. Unfortunately the emotion and power was lost on a generation of confused music listeners and has fallen into oblivion. But this is definitely an album worth buying if you're a fan of the first Candlebox album, Our Lady Peace, or Seven Mary Three."

Tough Call

sdwagle | 06/22/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I won't agree with the reviews that call this "bad music" -- however, it is very sullen and wistful. It doesn't convey a mood you want to put yourself in very often, and I think that's part of why this album seems less popular than thier others, and the singles from it have faded from radio airplay.



I think tracks #5 "Become (To Tell)" and #8 "Bothered" to me are the standouts. Crunchy, locomotive hard rock, with heavy 1970s-style distortion that you just don't hear musicians attempt much anymore. Get that air guitar out when you play these!



But overall, it's an album for fans that want to spend time investigating Candlebox... It takes effort to like this CD."

Their best album

Kevin D A Major | Barrington, NH United States | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lucy was, quite simply, Candlebox's best effort. While the band was never able to capture a signature sound, the various mixtures they created on here were pretty enjoyable.



Lyrically and vocally, this was Kevin Martin's best album. While "Vulgar Before Me" and "Best Friend" (which I'm assuming is something of a joke song written for his dog) are somewhat weak, the rest of the album shows Martin at the pinnicle of his ability with Candlebox. While he's no Maynard James Keenan lyrically, he's far better than the uninspired, high school angst poetry filling the airwaves today. Vocally, he sounds like a combination of Chris Robinson and Vince Neil but in a way that actually sounds good.



The guitar work of Peter Klett is a bit of a mixed bag in this one. On the one hand, his overall melodic and harmonic structures are better than those in the self-titled album, but his solos aren't as strong. Ultimately, though, it seems as if his shift in priorities tightened up the majority of the songs.



Bardi Martin's playing got a bit better with this one, but Scott Mercado is still barely adequate.



For the album itself, "Simple Lessons" is a better beginning than "Don't You" was, but I feel it's a bit overrated. "Drowning" and "Lucy" both show off the band's ability to make sound straight ahead rock songs. "Best Friend" is a hell of a tribute to man's best friend. My favorite song on the album would have to be "Become (To Tell)." It is as about as close to pure grunge as Candlebox ever ventured. It's very well done. Finally, "Butterfly" and its reprise seem to be Candlebox's "Silent Lucidity." Compared to everything else they've done, those two songs are epic in scope and showcase the band's more artistic side.



While this album won't blow you away, it is a good effort by a band whose sound is rooted more in the 70's and 80's than in the grunge scene of the 90's. I recommend it."