Numb (Hammerbox album)
| Numb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cover_art).jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, grunge-pop[1] | |||
| Length | 41:59 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Producer | Michael Beinhorn | |||
| Hammerbox chronology | ||||
| ||||
Numb is the second and final studio album by the American band Hammerbox.[2][3] It was released in 1993 on A&M Records.[4] The first single was "Hole".[5]
The band supported the album by touring with King Missile and Sloan, among others.[6][7] The stress of being on a major label led in part to the band's breakup, as did A&M's inability to promote the album.[8][9]
Production[edit]
The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn.[10] Although signed to a major label, the band tried to make the album sound more raw than its independent debut.[11]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [12] |
Spin wrote that the album's "high-impact, tuneful noise expands on the earlier album's promise, refining the songcraft without sacrificing any of its nervy edge."[13] The Record considered it "for Seattle completists only," writing that Hammerbox "don't manage to imbue the already-tired genre with much personality of their own."[1]
The Los Angeles Times noted that "Carrie Akre's trained, Pat Benatar-like vocals seemed predictable in the context of the rough-and-tumble, high-speed music."[14] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette likened the sound of Numb to "the Indigo Girls trapped in Kurt Cobain's body."[15] Similarly, The Oregonian compared Hammerbox to "Melissa Etheridge fronting Nirvana," writing that "the band has precious few songs with sufficient structural clarity, melodies or even distinctive riffs."[16]
Track listing[edit]
- "Hole" – 2:39
- "Hed" – 3:17
- "No" – 4:13
- "Blur" – 3:07
- "Outside" – 3:30
- "When 3 Is 2" – 4:26
- "Trip" – 3:27
- "Attack of the Slime Creatures" – 3:46
- "God" – 3:56
- "Simple Passing" – 2:01
- "Sleep" – 4:33
- "Anywhere But Here"– 3:04
Personnel[edit]
- Carrie Akre - vocals
- James Atkins - bass
- Michael Beinhorn - producer
- Dave Bosch - drums, backing vocals
- Paul McKenna - engineering, mixing
- Harris Thurmond - guitar
- Howie Weinberg - mastering
References[edit]
- ^ a b Weiler, Derek (15 Apr 1993). "Numb Hammerbox". The Record. Kitchener. p. D9.
- ^ "Hammerbox Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "James Atkins of Hammerbox Has Died". Pitchfork. February 28, 2016.
- ^ Nelson, Rick (26 Feb 1993). "The rush to record Northwest bands isn't over". The Morning News Tribune. p. F8.
- ^ Yoo, Paula (March 4, 1993). "HAMMERBOX . . . MEET CONNECTICUT". The Seattle Times. p. E3.
- ^ Heim, Chris (9 Apr 1993). "King Missile and Hammerbox". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
- ^ Mayhew, Malcolm (June 4, 1993). "Sloan, Hammerbox wander in alternative wasteland". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 1D.
- ^ Ehrbar, Joe (2 Aug 1996). "GOODNESS! BAND RETURNS DESPITE POOR TURNOUT FIRST TIME AROUND". Weekend. The Spokesman-Review. p. 2.
- ^ Stout, Gene (June 14, 1996). "AFTER HAMMERBOX BREAKUP, CARRIE AKRE TRIES TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH 'GOODNESS'". What's Happening. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. 6.
- ^ The Encyclopedia of Record Producers. Billboard Books. 1999. p. 48.
- ^ Maestri, Cathy (May 21, 1993). "Cultivating a raw quality". The Press-Enterprise. p. AA17.
- ^ "Numb - Hammerbox". AllMusic.
- ^ Greer, Jim (May 1993). "Hammerbox". Spin. 9 (2): 8.
- ^ Ali, Lorraine (27 May 1993). "Disparate Bill of Alternative Rockers". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
- ^ Norman, Tony (April 16, 1993). "HAMMERBOX NUMB". Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 20.
- ^ Hughley, Marty (April 23, 1993). "Wednesday's bill also featured Hammerbox...". The Oregonian. p. D2.
