You know back in the early Nineties how you would cruise the streets with your radio blasting or hang on the corner with your buds and pump the volume up until Mr. Policeman drove by? Anyway you would hear songs that you loved but never remembered the name and then years later you would hear it again on the radio and love that song but missed who they were. Well almost fifteen years later and with their first new studio album in a decade I finally got their name… it’s CANDLEBOX! Songs like "Change," "You," "Simple Lessons” and their big hit "Far Behind," were staples back in the day and I am hoping their new release “Into The Sun” will measure up, and with three original members still putting their heart and soul into the music I am expecting one helluva CD… so here we go.

The opening track “Stand” is melodic and powerful with riveting vocals and an uplifting chorus. The bass lines and drums punch the hole and open up the lines for absolutely possessing guitar licks. What a start!

One thing that CANDLEBOX has mastered in all these years is a great midsection as Adam Kury and Scott Mercado hold the beat and guitarist Peter Klett shoots for the stars. What can you say about Kevin Martin except that the guy simply does not get the huge recognition that he surely deserves. Martin’s vocals ooze imagination and creativeness. This guy is a superstar in the truest meaning.

The title track “Into The Sun” is outstanding as the words are caressing and the magic of Martin and CANDLEBOX comes through loud and clear. The song is melodic and yet at the precise moment Klett raises hell as the song nears an end. I can’t but help thinking of CANDLEBOX as a modern day LED ZEPPELIN. I am sure these guys were influence by ZEPPELIN and you can hear that throughout “Into The Sun”.

Another great tune is “How Does It Feel” and as the guitar notes are set in motion and a trance-like state takes you over as the song elevates, you are in a dream of ecstasy as your blood pumps. The saddest thing is that this song has to end.

But not to worry, "A Kiss Before Dying” might be the highlight track of the album. I love this track, it’s not an “AOR” type song but music fans will adore it. It has a great chorus, music that draws you in and when Martin’s vocals enter you have a memory-burning tune.

The intro to “Breathe Me In” starts off like PINK FLOYD meets TRAFFIC and it then runs into “Breathe Me In” which is a bluesy style ballad that has some good harmonies. Having diversity from track to track is a stepping-stone to being legendary and CANDLEBOX shows that on “Into The Sun”. With ending CANDLEBOX show their greatness with an outstanding ballad with acoustics, piano and the vocal range of Kevin Martin.

“Into The Sun” marks a new beginning for CANDLEBOX as they reach for the stars once again. Now go pre-order this CD right away.