It’s no exaggeration to say that Candlebox helped shape the direction of contemporary music. The Seattle band was a part of a coterie of courageous Pacific Northwest artists that redefined the relationship between classic rock, metal, punk, blues, and experimental music, and struck a blow on behalf of creativity in the age-old battle between art and commerce. That’s a vital part of the Candlebox story, and always will be. “Riptide” is the centerpiece of Wolves and a demonstration of everything that has made Candlebox a byword for great rock music for three decades. Emotionally engaging verses culminating in a singalong chorus, propulsive beats, dexterous guitar, and a magnetic performance by the irrepressible frontman Kevin Martin: it’s all here.
