Joyride (Oleander album)
| Joyride | ||||
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| Studio album by Oleander | ||||
| Released | March 4, 2003 (US) March 31, 2003 (UK) |
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| Recorded | 2002 at the Mousehouse & Mousepad in Pasadena, California | |||
| Genre | Post-grunge | |||
| Length | 41:58 | |||
| Label | Sanctuary Records | |||
| Producer | Rich Mouser | |||
| Oleander chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Melodic.net |    |
| NY Rock | (favorable) |
| PopMatters | (favorable) |
| Rolling Stone | |
Joyride is the third major label studio album from post-grunge band Oleander. It was released on March 4, 2003 through Sanctuary Records and marks the band's first studio album with the label. Joyride also marks a return to the band's focus on aggressive hard rock that was less apparent on their previous, more experimental effort, Unwind.
Joyride was originally planned for a November 2002 release, but since it was not yet completed, Oleander released the Runaway Train EP at concerts to hold fans over. The EP revolved around its title track, which a month prior was featured in the Showtime film Bang, Bang, You're Dead. A music video was also shot and incorporated footage from the film.
In an interview with Billboard, frontman Thomas Flowers elaborated on the creative direction on Joyride in the aftermath of Unwind:
Other than "Runaway Train," which was written a few years prior, all songs were written after Oleander's departure from Universal. Lyrical themes of Joyride revolve often around danger and risk. "Fountain and Vine" also sympathizes for the homeless while "30-60-90" expresses disdain for drug addiction. "Runaway Train" also reflects on Flowers' previous marriage while "Better Luck Next Time" regards his guilt over spending time wastefully. The album was heavily toted as reinforcing Oleander's aggressive side, comparable to later Soundgarden and Sponge; however, it does include two ballads in "Rainy Day" and the aforementioned "Runaway Train"
The photo seen on the album's cover came from established photographer Neil Zlozower who had pictures of his wrecked Mustang for his insurance company. Flowers chose the photo himself, and it likely inspired the album's title which had not prior been established. This artistic theme is carried throughout the album liner notes as well.
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