Box Set is an album by the American band Wool, released in 1994.[2][3] Despite its title, Box Set is a studio album. The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4]
| Box Set | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | December 1993, January 1994 | |||
| Studio | Philos Ranch, Mendocino, CA, Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 47:52 | |||
| Label | London[1] | |||
| Producer | Rob Schnapf, Tom Rothrock | |||
| Wool chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was produced by Rob Schnapf and Tom Rothrock.[5] Chris Bratton replaced Peter Moffett on drums prior to the recording of Box Set.[6] Wool included a fake history of the band in the liner notes to the album, alleging encounters with famous musicians over the course of three decades; they successfully fooled several journalists.[7] "God Rest His Soul" is a cover of the Gregg Allman song.[8]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B[10] |
| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |  [11] |
| The San Diego Union-Tribune | [12] |
Trouser Press thought that "weird production (the second Van Halen album would seem to be a significant model) and an ungainly stab at MTV presentability makes the de-punked Box Set a dreadfully uneven—and occasionally dreadful—album."[6] Entertainment Weekly called "Take a Look" "a 12-minute opus that bridges the gap between trippy Fillmore-era jam sessions and '90s grungefests."[10]
The Telegram & Gazette stated that "the pop hooks are big, the electric guitar lines are shoved through wah-wahs and fuzz boxes for some irresistible confection and a sloppy, good-time feel permeates many of the 11 tracks."[13] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the album "a nearly auspicious debut by a genre-bending band that knows enough about crafting thoughtful, raucous songs to remind listeners of the early Replacements."[11] The Chicago Sun-Times deemed it "a strong debut album of stripped-down, hooky garage rock."[14]
AllMusic wrote that "this was an unfairly overlooked album, lost amid the overwhelming glut of alternative rock in the early '90s (which saw far lesser bands like Bush receiving undue amounts of attention)."[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eden" | 3:09 |
| 2. | "Kill the Crow" | 3:10 |
| 3. | "Eat Some Ziti" | 0:33 |
| 4. | "Superman is Dead" | 2:03 |
| 5. | "B-350" | 6:46 |
| 6. | "Chances Are" | 4:37 |
| 7. | "Coalinga" | 3:16 |
| 8. | "Speak" | 3:56 |
| 9. | "God Rest His Soul" | 4:47 |
| 10. | "Blackeye" | 3:48 |
| 11. | "Take a Look" | 11:47 |
Personnel
edit- Al Bloch - bass
- Chris Bratton - drums
- Franz Stahl - guitar
- Pete Stahl - vocals
References
edit- ^ Gubbins, Teresa (2 Oct 1994). "Four-Letter Words". The Gazette. p. F6.
- ^ "Wool Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Sadilek, Bernie (18 Jan 1995). "Loose, curly, fuzzy sounds make Wool". The Record. p. D6.
- ^ Kendle, John (15 Mar 1995). "Wool Speed Ahead". Winnipeg Sun. p. 22.
- ^ "Wool Warming to Life in L.A." The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Wool". Trouser Press. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Gillespie, Ian (January 19, 1995). "Almanac". The London Free Press. p. C1.
- ^ Cubarrubia, Eydie (October 21, 1994). "Wool Goes with Vinyl on Recording". The Bradenton Herald. p. W8.
- ^ a b "Box Set". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Box Set". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ a b Norman, Tony (7 Oct 1994). "Wool, Box Set". Arts & Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 20.
- ^ Hantman, C. G. (October 20, 1994). "Album Reviews – Rock 'n' Roll". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 18.
- ^ McLennan, Scott (2 Oct 1994). "Wool is much more than just dumb fun". Datebook. Telegram & Gazette. p. 9.
- ^ DeRogatis, Jim (October 2, 1994). "L7 Brutal, Brilliant at Vic – Breakout Set Makes Anger Fun". Sunday News. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 49.