ALBUM REVIEW ~ CANDLEBOX ~ 'WOLVES'

I'm Music Magazine, Candlebox, Wolves, Pavement Entertainment, Dean Dichoso, Let Me Down Easy, All Down Hill From Here Now, Christopher Thorn, Blind Melon, Peter Cornell

Candlebox is set to release their 7th studio album Wolves on September 17, 2021 via Pavement Entertainment. It was produced by Dean Dichoso in Los Angeles’ legendary Henson Studios.

You may only know Candlebox as a 1990’s era Seattle band famous for hits like “Far Behind,” “You,” or “Cover Me.” Or like myself who has been anxiously awaiting a new album after the band only teased about starting in the studio to record it way back in 2019. I don’t know about you, but 2020 alone felt like 2 lifetimes ago to me. To say I was excited to get a sneak preview of this album is a vast understatement.

Wolves starts out with a sweet bluesy intro from “All Down Hill From Here Now” that also features a kick ass heavy guitar solo midway through. This track is co-written by Christopher Thorn (Blind Melon) and as a fan of both artists, this is honestly a dream collaboration for me. It’s a great track about the opportunities and lives they’ve lead as musicians that’s seen great success at one point in their careers and how it feels after. You can tell the story is real and it’s also completely relatable.

“Let Me Down Easy” is up next and was the first track released by Candlebox ahead of the album. It’s co-written by Peter Cornell. “Let Me Down Easy” just feels like a really straight forward rock track and has a very singable hook. The lyrics so easily stick in my head even after the first listen. I found it very memorable.

They slow it down a bit with track “Riptide” which begins with just vocals and piano. I actually find this song a bit different for Candlebox, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s an absolutely beautiful track that builds as it goes, I love it all the way through.

If you’re expecting to find an album reminiscent of the Candlebox you may have listened to in the 90’s, you won’t find that. This is a band who has absolutely evolved over the years. If you’re looking for some great rock & roll with heavy riffs, you will definitely find that here. Wolves is filled with raw emotional lyrics and vocalist Kevin Martin‘s voice is every bit as strong as ever. Easily my favorite album of 2021.

I’m Music Magazine Photographer Daphne McKinney