Joyride (Oleander album)
Encyclopedia
Joyride is the third major label album from post-grunge
band Oleander
. It was released on March 4, 2003 through Sanctuary Records
and mark's the bands first studio album
with the label. Joyride also marks a return to the band's focus on aggressive hard rock that was less apparent on their previous, more experimental effort, Unwind
.
. A music video
was also shot and incorporated footage from the film.
In an interview with Billboard
, frontman Thomas Flowers elaborated on the creative direction on Joyride in the aftermath of Unwind:
Other than "Runaway Train," which was written a few years prior, all songs were written after Oleander's departure from Universal. Lyrical themes of Joyride revolve often around danger and risk. "Fountain and Vine" also sympathizes for the homeless while "30-60-90" expresses disdain for drug addiction. "Runaway Train" also reflects on Flowers' previous marriage while "Better Luck Next Time" regards his guilt over spending time wastefully. The album was heavily toted as reinforcing Oleander's aggressive side, comparable to later Soundgarden
and Sponge
; however, it does include two ballad
s in "Rainy Day" and the aforementioned "Runaway Train"
The photo seen on the album's cover came from established photographer Neil Zlozower who had pictures of his wrecked Mustang
for his insurance company. Flowers chose the photo himself, and it likely inspired the album's title which had not prior been established. This artistic theme is carried throughout the album liner notes as well.
Joyride marks the last album before Oleander's unofficial hiatus. In November 2003, drummer Scott Devours left the band to work with Ima Robot
. Vocalist Thomas Flowers subsequently began collaborating with The Black Summer Crush.
. It was competitively priced.
In March 2003, Oleander traveled to Italy and headlined a special welcome home concert for the 173 Airborne Brigade. In promotion of Joyride, the group also performed on the Rock and Awe Tour. Frontman Thomas Flowers joked in an interview that "On the occasion when nobody shows up, it's the 'Rock and No Draw Tour.' Previous to that it was the 'Turn That Frown Upside Down Tour'." The group also toured with Nickelback
in early 2003. On street date, Oleander played a half-hour acoustic concert at Tower Records
in Citrus Heights; local radio station KRXQ
broadcast the event from the store.
The promotional campaign focused on a retail presence in cities in which "Hands Off the Wheel" was received positively, such as Dallas, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis. A listening party was held exclusively on Budweiser
.com from February 28 through March 3 and allowed fans to stream the entire album. Amazon.com
also offered a pre-release value-add, where purchasing fans could stream the Runaway Train EP.
Joyrides single
, "Hands Off the Wheel," received considerable radio play upon the album's release. The majority of songs also aired on the Power Rock satellite radio
station in 2003.
, Joyride generally received critical praise. Sales remained respectable of just under 400,000 copies. Rolling Stone
s Karen Bliss described the introductory "Hands Off the Wheel" as "one of those perfect singles, aggressive, penetrating but catchy." Daniel Mitchell of PopMatters
declared "While simplicity and copycatting may sound like negative things, often they are not; such is the case with Joyride." He also noted "Off and On" as the album's catchiest track and added that "Oleander is a band at the top of their game."
Bill Ribas of NY Rock
showed disgruntlement in the album's similarity to other popular rock groups and its overtly polished sound. However, he commended all four band members and described Joyride as "varied and engaging, and more than enough to get the blood flowing on a cold day." Ribas added, "It's a solid disc that will probably grow on me as time goes by, and might do the same to you."
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Oleander
Oleander (band)
Oleander is a post-grunge band from Sacramento, California, USA. Its name is derived from the poisonous wildflower oleander, which line the highways of Northern California. In their nine years of activity, the band released four studio albums under various record labels...
. It was released on March 4, 2003 through Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
and mark's the bands first studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
with the label. Joyride also marks a return to the band's focus on aggressive hard rock that was less apparent on their previous, more experimental effort, Unwind
Unwind
Unwind is the second major label album from post-grunge band Oleander. The band's second album released on Universal Records, Unwind sold approximately 250,000 copies. The album is noted for displaying both a wider range and softer music than its predecessor...
.
Overview
Joyride was originally planned for a November 2002 release, but since it was not yet completed, Oleander released the Runaway Train EP at concerts to hold fans over. The EP revolved around its title track, which a month prior was featured in the Showtime film Bang, Bang, You're DeadBang, Bang, You're Dead (film)
Bang Bang You're Dead is a 2002 American telefilm starring Tom Cavanagh and Ben Foster. It is based on the play Bang Bang You're Dead by William Mastrosimone...
. A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was also shot and incorporated footage from the film.
In an interview with Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, frontman Thomas Flowers elaborated on the creative direction on Joyride in the aftermath of Unwind:
- "We really wanted to stretch our tastes and try to present an album that was a little more diversified as far as instrumentation. . . It didn't necessarily pan out for us, so we kind of stripped that down to doing what we're good at: We're a rock band, and we decided that [Joyride] was going to be more linear, more focused, more in-your-face than either of the other two albums."
Other than "Runaway Train," which was written a few years prior, all songs were written after Oleander's departure from Universal. Lyrical themes of Joyride revolve often around danger and risk. "Fountain and Vine" also sympathizes for the homeless while "30-60-90" expresses disdain for drug addiction. "Runaway Train" also reflects on Flowers' previous marriage while "Better Luck Next Time" regards his guilt over spending time wastefully. The album was heavily toted as reinforcing Oleander's aggressive side, comparable to later Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
and Sponge
Sponge (band)
Sponge is a post-grunge band from Detroit, Michigan formed in 1991 by Vinnie Dombroski, Mike Cross, Tim Cross and Joey Mazzola. Sponge was signed to Sony Records in 1994 but have since switched to other labels....
; however, it does include two ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s in "Rainy Day" and the aforementioned "Runaway Train"
The photo seen on the album's cover came from established photographer Neil Zlozower who had pictures of his wrecked Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
for his insurance company. Flowers chose the photo himself, and it likely inspired the album's title which had not prior been established. This artistic theme is carried throughout the album liner notes as well.
Joyride marks the last album before Oleander's unofficial hiatus. In November 2003, drummer Scott Devours left the band to work with Ima Robot
Ima Robot
-Band history:Ima Robot formed in the late 1990s, after vocalist Alex Ebert's band The Lucky 13's broke up, and became successful in the early 2000s after signing with Virgin Records. The band's other original members were Timmy "the Terror" Anderson, Oligee, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, and the prolific...
. Vocalist Thomas Flowers subsequently began collaborating with The Black Summer Crush.
Touring and promotion
The Runaway Train EP was released in November 2002 and features a demo, an unreleased song, and the "Runaway Train" music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. It was competitively priced.
In March 2003, Oleander traveled to Italy and headlined a special welcome home concert for the 173 Airborne Brigade. In promotion of Joyride, the group also performed on the Rock and Awe Tour. Frontman Thomas Flowers joked in an interview that "On the occasion when nobody shows up, it's the 'Rock and No Draw Tour.' Previous to that it was the 'Turn That Frown Upside Down Tour'." The group also toured with Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
in early 2003. On street date, Oleander played a half-hour acoustic concert at Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
in Citrus Heights; local radio station KRXQ
KRXQ
KRXQ is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California, broadcasting on 98.5 FM. The station airs an active rock music format branded as "98 Rock"...
broadcast the event from the store.
The promotional campaign focused on a retail presence in cities in which "Hands Off the Wheel" was received positively, such as Dallas, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis. A listening party was held exclusively on Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
.com from February 28 through March 3 and allowed fans to stream the entire album. Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
also offered a pre-release value-add, where purchasing fans could stream the Runaway Train EP.
Joyrides single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Hands Off the Wheel," received considerable radio play upon the album's release. The majority of songs also aired on the Power Rock satellite radio
Satellite radio
Satellite radio is an analogue or digital radio signal that is relayed through one or more satellites and thus can be received in a much wider geographical area than terrestrial FM radio stations...
station in 2003.
Reception
While not as commercially successful or widely recognized as their major label debutFebruary Son
February Son is the major label debut album from post-grunge band Oleander. It was released on Universal Records in 1999 and eventually went gold. As such, February Son boasts some of Oleander's most successful singles. It also includes new drummer Scott Devours who was hired to replace the band's...
, Joyride generally received critical praise. Sales remained respectable of just under 400,000 copies. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
s Karen Bliss described the introductory "Hands Off the Wheel" as "one of those perfect singles, aggressive, penetrating but catchy." Daniel Mitchell of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
declared "While simplicity and copycatting may sound like negative things, often they are not; such is the case with Joyride." He also noted "Off and On" as the album's catchiest track and added that "Oleander is a band at the top of their game."
Bill Ribas of NY Rock
NY Rock
NY Rock is a music website that covers the New York City music scene. Founded in 1996, it contains music and movie news, interviews, concert reviews, a gig guide, feature articles and blogs....
showed disgruntlement in the album's similarity to other popular rock groups and its overtly polished sound. However, he commended all four band members and described Joyride as "varied and engaging, and more than enough to get the blood flowing on a cold day." Ribas added, "It's a solid disc that will probably grow on me as time goes by, and might do the same to you."
Track listing
(All songs written by Thomas Flowers, Doug Eldridge, and Ric Ivanisevich)- "Hands Off the Wheel" – 3:52
- "Don't Break My Fall" – 3:15
- "Fountain & Vine" – 4:12
- "30 60 90" – 3:56
- "Rainy Day" – 3:55
- "Off & On" – 3:40
- "Better Luck Next Time" – 3:21
- "Joyride" – 3:51
- "King of Good Intentions" – 3:58
- "Leave it All Behind" – 3:31
- "Runaway Train" – 4:27
Charts
| Song | Chart | Peak position |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hands Off the Wheel" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
25 | 2003 |
Personnel
- Thomas Flowers - vocals, guitar
- Doug Eldridge - bass guitar
- Ric Ivanisevich - guitar
- Scott Devours - drums
- Kaylene Peoples - string arrangements
External links
- "Runaway Train" video at Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...