Numb (Hammerbox album)

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]

Numb
Studio album by
Hammerbox
Released1993
GenreAlternative rock, grunge-pop[1]
Length41:59
LabelA&M
ProducerMichael Beinhorn
Hammerbox chronology
Hammerbox
(1991)		 Numb
(1993)		 Live EMP Skychurch, Seattle, WA
(2005)

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

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
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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
  1. "Hole" – 2:39
  2. "Hed" – 3:17
  3. "No" – 4:13
  4. "Blur" – 3:07
  5. "Outside" – 3:30
  6. "When 3 Is 2" – 4:26
  7. "Trip" – 3:27
  8. "Attack of the Slime Creatures" – 3:46
  9. "God" – 3:56
  10. "Simple Passing" – 2:01
  11. "Sleep" – 4:33
  12. "Anywhere But Here"– 3:04

Personnel

References
  1. Weiler, Derek (15 Apr 1993). "Numb Hammerbox". The Record. Kitchener. p. D9.
  2. "Hammerbox Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. "James Atkins of Hammerbox Has Died". Pitchfork. February 28, 2016.
  4. Nelson, Rick (26 Feb 1993). "The rush to record Northwest bands isn't over". The Morning News Tribune. p. F8.
  5. Yoo, Paula (March 4, 1993). "HAMMERBOX . . . MEET CONNECTICUT". The Seattle Times. p. E3.
  6. Heim, Chris (9 Apr 1993). "King Missile and Hammerbox". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
  7. Mayhew, Malcolm (June 4, 1993). "Sloan, Hammerbox wander in alternative wasteland". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 1D.
  8. Ehrbar, Joe (2 Aug 1996). "GOODNESS! BAND RETURNS DESPITE POOR TURNOUT FIRST TIME AROUND". Weekend. The Spokesman-Review. p. 2.
  9. 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.
  10. The Encyclopedia of Record Producers. Billboard Books. 1999. p. 48.
  11. Maestri, Cathy (May 21, 1993). "Cultivating a raw quality". The Press-Enterprise. p. AA17.
  12. "Numb - Hammerbox". AllMusic.
  13. Greer, Jim (May 1993). "Hammerbox". Spin. 9 (2): 8.
  14. Ali, Lorraine (27 May 1993). "Disparate Bill of Alternative Rockers". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
  15. Norman, Tony (April 16, 1993). "HAMMERBOX NUMB". Entertainment. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 20.
  16. Hughley, Marty (April 23, 1993). "Wednesday's bill also featured Hammerbox...". The Oregonian. p. D2.
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