Famous (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Famous
Type = studio
Artist = Puddle of Mudd


Released = October 9, 2007
Recorded =
Genre = Post-grunge
Length = 37:42
Label = Geffen Records
Producer = Brian Howes Wes Scantlin Bill Stevenson Jason Livermore Jack Joseph Puig
Reviews = *CD Universe Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7462665/a/Famous.htm link]
*Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://wc04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0nfexzr5ldte link]
Last album = "Life on Display" (2003)
This album = "Famous" (2007)

"Famous" is the fifth studio album and third major label album from U.S. post grunge band Puddle of Mudd. It was released on October 9, 2007 on Flawless Records. "Famous" was originally set to be released in May, but was pushed back to add more songs to the album. The album was also announced by the band to be titled "Livin' On Borrowed Time", but that was changed to "Famous" after the name of the first single.

The title track provided the album's lead single on May 21, 2007. "Psycho" would follow as the second single on October 2. The ballad, "We Don't Have to Look Back Now" has been officially confirmed to be band's the next single, according to frontman Wes Scantlin. [ [http://www.livedaily.com/news/13965.html Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin talks 'Famous' >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> LiveDaily ] ]

"Famous" debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 31,000 copies in its first week. [Jonathan Cohen, [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003617799 "Kid Rock Rolls To No. 1 Album Chart Debut"] , Billboard.com, October 17, 2007.]

Sound

Much like earlier releases from Puddle of Mudd, "Famous" is dominated by a "nu-grunge" approach. However, the main change of pace is thanks to what members Wes Scantlin and Doug Ardito called "pressure from management to make every track single material." More traditional lyrics in the realm of positive relationships and religion are aided with clean in-line production, strings, and the addition of a piano in "We Don't Have to Look Back Now." In an interview, Wes and Doug added that the "iPod revolution" is a big part of what prompted this direction, as with music downloads there is the potential for every song on an album to achieve single-like popularity. The band also noted that while they felt pressured at times, it was a welcomed change of pace, and that they never intend to leave their roots; only to expand them.

An interview with the band on FUSE TV had Wes Scantlin discussing why some of the issues in the songs had changed from previous efforts. He stated that producer Bill Stevenson "helped me change my life for the better," explaining that before, his life was much like a typical Hollywood newcomer, gradually involving himself more and more in the negative party scene.

Reception

The CD has received mixed and fairly harsh reviews, with AllMusic saying that the band sounds "like Nirvana for Dummies, flattening out all the quirks and danger inherent in that Seattle trio."

Track listing

#"Famous" - 3:17
#"Livin' on Borrowed Time" - 3:03
#"It Was Faith" - 3:32
#"Psycho" - 3:30
#"We Don't Have to Look Back Now" - 3:42
#"Moonshine" - 4:08
#"Thinking About You" - 3:42
#"Merry Go Round" - 2:44
#"I'm So Sure" - 4:32
#"Radiate" - 3:13
#"If I Could Love You" - 3:11

B-Sides

#"Cast Away" (Best Buy exclusive download)
#"Reason" (Target exclusive download)
#"Miracle" (Target exclusive download)
#"Bleed" (Japan exclusive)

Credits

* Wesley Scantlin: Vocals, Guitar
* Douglas Ardito: Bass, Vocals, Guitar
* Christian Stone: Guitar, Vocals
* Ryan Yerdon: Drums
* Jack Joseph Puig: Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, A&R
* Bill Stevenson Producer, Engineer
* Brian Howes: Producer
* Max Collins: Producer
* Tony Battaglia: Producer
* Howard Benson: Producer
* Tal Herzberg Engineer
* Bryan Coisne: Engineer
* Hatsukazu "Hatch" Inagaki: Engineer
* Christopher: Engineer
* Ted Jensen: Mastering
* Jason Livermore: Producer, Engineer
* Johnny Schou Engineer
* Matt Serrecchio Engineer
* Tony Fagenson: Additional musician (notably piano track 5)
* Gabe Witcher: Vocals (background)
* Kara DioGuardi: Additional writer
* Marc VanGool: Guitar Technician

References

External links

* [http://www.geffen.com/puddleofmudd Label website]
* [http://www.puddleofmudd.com The band's official website]
* [http://feeds.geffen.com/artist/puddleofmudd/content Puddle of Mudd Official RSS Feed]
*MySpace-music|puddleofmudd|Puddle of Mudd
* [http://www.puddleofmuddfanpage.com/ puddleofmuddfanpage.com]