The Mountain Goats release new song “Candlebox”: Listen

If you’re of a certain age, the name “Candlebox” may evoke nostalgic memories. For those unfamiliar, Candlebox was a Seattle rock band that emerged during the grunge explosion, although they didn’t fit neatly into the grunge genre. They were among the initial signees to Madonna’s Maverick label, and their 1993 self-titled debut album yielded multiple radio hits and achieved quadruple platinum status. Despite their success, Candlebox faced criticism for supposedly capitalizing on the grunge trend, even though that wasn’t their intention. Subsequent records didn’t see the same level of commercial success, leading to the band’s eventual dissolution and subsequent reunion. Today, Candlebox continues to make music, but their name will forever be associated with a moment of both rock ‘n’ roll excitement and discontent.

In a delightful turn of events, Candlebox finds themselves immortalized in a brand new song by the renowned and prolific band, Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats are set to release their upcoming album titled Days, originally planned as Grunges, which was intended to be a spiritual follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2017 record, Goths. While the album no longer bears the initial title, track names like “Song For Layne Staley” and “Woodstock ’99” suggest an exploration of the echoes of the grunge era. Following the release of early singles such as “Going To Fennario,” “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out To The Feds,” and “Shallow Grave,” the Mountain Goats have now unveiled their latest single, “Candlebox,” a definite crowd-pleaser.

“Candlebox,” the song, deviates from being exclusively about the band itself. Instead, the lyrics depict a band from the ’90s eagerly landing a life-changing opportunity to open for Candlebox on tour. While the song doesn’t reference any specific band, it captures a moment of boundless potential within a burgeoning music scene. Frontman John Darnielle infuses the song with emotion, powerfully expressing the word “Candlebox” with admiration and awe. Darnielle shared his perspective on the track, describing it as a narrative about an unnamed ’90s band offered an opening slot on Candlebox’s tour, a fleeting experience that led to the band’s eventual disbandment. Days serves as a retrospective exploration of past events viewed from a distant vantage point, resulting in a collaboration with Matt Nathanson for harmonies. Recorded in the iconic Sear Sound in Manhattan, produced and mixed by John Congleton, and featuring Jon Wurster on drums, Matt Douglas on guitar, Rob Jost on bass, with Darnielle contributing on keys and a guitar solo, the song is a nostalgic journey back to the ’90s.

As for Candlebox’s reaction to “Candlebox,” band frontman Kevin Martin expressed admiration for the Mountain Goats and shared that the band had the opportunity to hear the song before its official release, thoroughly enjoying it. The fusion of these two music acts has resulted in a unique homage to a bygone era of the ’90s music scene. “Candlebox” is a testament to the enduring impact of music and the interwoven stories that connect musicians across generations. The Mountain Goats’ album Days is scheduled for release on 8/7 through their own label, Cadmean Dawn, promising a further exploration of the reverberations of the grunge era.