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Departing greatly from their previous releases, Lucy and their self-titled debut album, the band has infused this album with pure Candlebox energy. Happy Pills is a sort of rebirth for the band. After spending some time off to reflect on the new album and break in a new drummer, Dave Krusen (best known as the drummer for Pearl Jam). Krusen joined the band last year after the original drummer Scott Mercado left.
It is evident that Krusen is the energy behind the album. Needing new ways of approaching song writing Krusen provided a fresh outlook for the quartet. Each of the twelve tracks on the album is infused with their underlying power and talent. Each song is different stylistically. When listening to the album one sometimes feels the same energy as felt before when listening to their first release.
Initially it seemed that Happy Pills was clouded by the same dark cloud that hung over Candlebox's second release, Lucy. Fortunately for us, the
music-purchasing public, this dark cloud disappeared on July 21st with the new release.
The band has definitely experimented with a lot of new styles while still maintaining a few of the original styles which graced their first album.
The songs gain beauty and character from the different styles that are incorporated in them. There are even slide guitar riffs on four songs; which Pete [Klett] has never tried before, says Bardi Martin, bass player.
"10,000 Horses" the first song on the album delivers a powerful punch and sets the mood for the rest of the album. The second track, "Happy Pills" is full of screeching guitars, characteristic of the first album, and talks about a person's addiction to their happy pills. "Blinders" and "It's Alright" provide a mellow break from the exciting power of the previous songs. "So Real", the sixth song on the album powered by Klett's powerful slide is possibly the best song on the album. "Step Back", sounds sort of Beatle-esque at the beginning is a great song that mimics guitar techniques of off the first album.
Happy Pills is definitely a step away from the failure of Lucy. Personally, I think that the album is a great addition to any collection. If you truly enjoyed the first Candlebox album, then I'm sure that you will enjoy Happy Pills.