Closer (Better Than Ezra album)
Encyclopedia
Closer is the fifth studio album by the New Orleans
-based rock
trio Better Than Ezra
. It was released on August 7, 2001 by Beyond Records. Closer initially performed better than its predecessor, How Does Your Garden Grow?
, peaking at #110 on the Billboard charts. The first single off the album, "Extra Ordinary
," placed on both the Billboard Modern Rock and Adult Top 40 charts (it was the eighth and last BTE single to date to place on the Modern Rock charts). A second single, "Misunderstood," was planned, but Beyond Records declared bankruptcy before it could be released.
As of early 2007, Closer was out of print due to Beyond Records going out of business and copies were scarce, though some were still in stock in stores. Legal problems resulting from Beyond's bankruptcy meant it would be four years before Better than Ezra's next studio album, Before the Robots
. In the meantime, the band would release a live album in 2004, recorded in their hometown at the House of Blues
.
In June 2009, the band announced they had acquired the rights to "Closer" and all of the master tracks recorded during the sessions for the album, and would be reissuing it via their own label on CD, The re-release was made available in October 2009 via the band's online store, sporting a bright new red cover, and two bonus tracks, "Simple Song", a long standing fan favorite, and "Screwed Up And Beautiful". Both tracks were recorded during the 2001 sessions for the album but omitted from the final record.
2009 reissue
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
-based rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
trio Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
. It was released on August 7, 2001 by Beyond Records. Closer initially performed better than its predecessor, How Does Your Garden Grow?
How Does Your Garden Grow?
How Does Your Garden Grow? is a 1998 album by American alternative rock trio Better Than Ezra. It was the band's fourth album, and their second with drummer Travis Aaron McNabb. It was released on August 25, 1998 by Elektra Records....
, peaking at #110 on the Billboard charts. The first single off the album, "Extra Ordinary
Extra Ordinary (song)
"Extra Ordinary" is a song by Better Than Ezra, released as their first single from their album Closer. It was also featured in a McDonald's television commercial that aired during the 2002 Winter Olympics.-Content:...
," placed on both the Billboard Modern Rock and Adult Top 40 charts (it was the eighth and last BTE single to date to place on the Modern Rock charts). A second single, "Misunderstood," was planned, but Beyond Records declared bankruptcy before it could be released.
As of early 2007, Closer was out of print due to Beyond Records going out of business and copies were scarce, though some were still in stock in stores. Legal problems resulting from Beyond's bankruptcy meant it would be four years before Better than Ezra's next studio album, Before the Robots
Before the Robots
Before the Robots is the studio follow-up album to Better Than Ezra's 2001 studio release Closer and debut album on Artemis Records. It was released on April 4, 2005, internationally and a day later in North America....
. In the meantime, the band would release a live album in 2004, recorded in their hometown at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
.
In June 2009, the band announced they had acquired the rights to "Closer" and all of the master tracks recorded during the sessions for the album, and would be reissuing it via their own label on CD, The re-release was made available in October 2009 via the band's online store, sporting a bright new red cover, and two bonus tracks, "Simple Song", a long standing fan favorite, and "Screwed Up And Beautiful". Both tracks were recorded during the 2001 sessions for the album but omitted from the final record.
Track listing
All tracks by Kevin GriffinKevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
- "Misunderstood" - 3:46
- "Extra OrdinaryExtra Ordinary (song)"Extra Ordinary" is a song by Better Than Ezra, released as their first single from their album Closer. It was also featured in a McDonald's television commercial that aired during the 2002 Winter Olympics.-Content:...
" (featuring DJ SwampDJ SwampRonald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1996, he took the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with...
) - 3:37 - "Closer" - 4:31
- "Rolling" (featuring ToddyToddyToddy may be:* Hot toddy, a mixed drink served hot* Palm wine, also known as palm toddy, an alcoholic beverage.* The toddy palm...
) - 3:31 - "A LifetimeA Lifetime"A Lifetime" is a 2005 single by the American alternative rock band Better Than Ezra. It was originally released on the band's 2001 album Closer. However, a new, re-recorded version , appeared on the 2005 album Before the Robots.-Content:On the surface, the song is about how a group of friends...
" - 3:36 - "Recognize" (featuring DJ SwampDJ SwampRonald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1996, he took the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with...
) - 3:18 - "Sincerely, Me" - 3:53
- "Get You In" - 4:07
- "Briefly" - 4:19
- "Juarez" - 4:26
- "I Do" - 3:44
2009 reissue
- "Screwed Up And Beautiful" - 3:09
- "Simple Song" - 4:41
Personnel
- Kevin GriffinKevin GriffinKevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
- Guitar, Piano, Vocals - Tom Drummond - Bass
- Travis Aaron McNabb - Drums
Additional personnel
- Mark Mullins - Trombone
- Eric Lucero - Trumpet
- James Arthur Payne - Guitar
- Toddy WaltersToddy WaltersToddy Elizabeth Walters is a former actress who is now a singer/songwriter.-Career:Walters went to the University of Colorado, where she met Trey Parker, who was casting for his student film Cannibal! The Musical. She was cast in the role of Polly Pry...
- Backing Vocals - DJ SwampDJ SwampRonald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1996, he took the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with...
- turntables - DJ Wolf (Chick Wolverton) - keyboards, turntables
- Michael Goods - Rhodes, Organ
Quartet Illumina
- Guenevere Measham - Cello
- Leah Katz - Viola
- Daphne Chen - Violin
- Melissa Reiner - Violin