by Rayne Britt

Created on: July 30, 2008   Last Updated: July 31, 2008

When an old friend goes away for a while there are always questions when they finally come back. "Will they be the way I remember them?" "Will we still get along?" Well, like an old friend, Candlebox has returned and those questions apply.

Their new album "Into the Sun" dropped July 22nd, 2008 here in the States and promises not to disappoint old friends or new. The new album is reminiscent of "Lucy" or "Happy Pills" more than the band's self-titled debut but includes great tracks from the opening song "Stand" all the way to the closer "Consider Us". The album does see a change of bass players from Bardi Martin to Adam Kury.

While the other tracks are also sufficient to please, it is "Stand" and "Surrendering" which stand out the most (though "Consider Us" is a close runner-up). "Stand" is probably the closest one will get to the sound of the Candlebox debut album's post-grunge sound and it is the first single to be released from the album. Already it has reached some critical success climbing to number sixteen on the US Mainstream Rock list in Billboard magazine. "Surrendering" is a wonderful ballad close to the songs prevalent on "Happy Pills". While not quite the equal of tracks such as "Sometimes" from "Happy Pills" or "Blossom" from the self-titled album, it is powerful nonetheless, mostly because it does not try to match the aforementioned ballads. Joining it are a few other balladesque tunes including the powerful "Into the Sun", "Underneath It All", the melodic "Breathe Me In" (a two track song), and "Lover-Come Back to Me" all of which display Kevin Martin's unique lyrical style and the bands ability to touch the soul with a melody.

The second track, "B-ches Brewin'", deserves an honorable mention as an almost jam band rock sound quite different from the norm of the post-grunge style typically associated with Candlebox. It is definitely catchy to say the least though probably not single material (due more to the mature lyrics than any other reason). The different style only adds to the creativity that "Into the Sun" has to offer.

I think it is safe to say that, while maybe not the way you would remember them, you can still get along with our friends Candlebox. The CD is worth the decade (and a day) wait and worth adding to any rock collection whether you were an old friend or are interested in becoming a new one.

Complete Track Listing:
1. Stand - 3:30
2. Bitches Brewin - 3:37
3. Surrendering - 3:29
4. Into the Sun - 4:53
5. Underneath it All - 3:36
6. Miss You - 5:07
7. How Does it Feel - 3:57
8. A Kiss Before Dying - 3:27
9. Breathe Me In-Intro - 3:19
10. Breathe Me In - 5:12
11. Lover-Come Back to Me - 4:43
12. Consider Us - 4:09
There is also an iTunes bonus track titled "The Answer" - 6:37.

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