Example was For Squirrels' debut album, but also, due to the tragedy which killed two of the bandmembers in 1996, it was the only album that featured their original lineup. Musically, R.E.M. casts a huge shadow over Example, with its jangly guitars and glorious melodies. Indeed, John Vigliatura's singing sits comfortably somewhere between Michael Stipe's drone and Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk's nasal whine. Several of these songs are gems, with simple verses blossoming into truly memorable choruses: "8:02 PM," "Orangeworker," and "Under Smithville" are three of the best examples. The outstanding track in this set is without a doubt the superb "Mighty K.C." While ostensibly a tribute to Kurt Cobain, the track takes on a special significance given the fate of For Squirrels. It is a sad, bitter irony to hear Vigliatura sing the gorgeous chorus "And by the grace of God go I/Into the great unknown/Things are going to change in our favour." Where Example fails, however, is when Vigliatura allows his vocals to descend into screaming -- "Superstar" and "Long Live the King" are particularly marred by this. Example should have been described as a promising debut, but that wasn't to be, at least in this incarnation of the band. Instead the album stands as an imperfect offering from a group that may have been able to deliver more later in their career. ~ Jonathan Lewis, All Music Guide
Nick Launay (Producer), Nick Launay (Engineer), For Squirrels (Main Performer), Thomas Jacob Griego, Jr. (Drums), Travis Michael Tooke (Guitar), John Francis Vigliatura IV (Vocals)
Example is a 1995 album released by For Squirrels and produced by Nick Launay. It was For Squirrels's only major label release, as lead singer John Vigliatura and bassist Bill White died when the band's tour bus blew a tire and crashed less than a month before the album's release.
Despite the death of half the band, the two surviving members chose to release the album as scheduled on October 3. The band also released "Mighty K.C." as the lead and eventually only single from the album. The song would peak at #15 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart.
The album did not gain mainstream popularity, reaching only 171 on the Billboard 200, but thanks to the lead single, had considerable airtime on college radio.
Travis Tooke and Jack Griego would form a new band, Subrosa, and released one album, Never Bet the Devil Your Head.
Track listing
All songs by For Squirrels
"8:02 PM" - 3:28
"Orangeworker" - 4:24
"Superstar" - 3:20
"Mighty K.C." - 5:39
"Under Smithville" - 4:35
"Long Live the King" - 3:15
"The Immortal Dog and Pony Show" - 4:02
"Stark Pretty" - 3:52
"Disenchanted" - 6:44
"Eskimo Sandune" - 3:03
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