Type: Contains explicit content, Lyrics are included with the album
Genre: Rock
Review
Puddle of Mudd aren't bragging with the title of their third album, Famous, nor is its title song a self-congratulatory ironic anthem like Nickelback's "Rockstar." No, Puddle of Mudd are literal, sneering at the young Hollywood celebs who are famous for being famous -- read, the holy trinity of Britney/Lindsay/Paris -- spitting out insults over a cleaned-up Nirvana riff, one that's been polished with the assistance of hard rock writer-for-hire Brian Howes, who has penned hits for Hinder and DAUGHTRY. Howes isn't the only new name here -- drummer Greg Upchurch and guitarist Paul Phillips bolted after the 2004 release of Life on Display, replaced by Ryan Yerdon and Christian Stone, respectively. On Famous, Wesley Scantlin avoids any icky, nasty emotions in favor of slick soundcraft. This results in an album that's hookier than Life on Display -- thanks in no small part to all the professional songwriters aboard, including Kara DioGuardi, who in no small irony has written with Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Christian Stone (Vocals), Christopher Jak (Guitar), Douglas John Ardito (Group Member), Tal Herzberg (Engineer), Tony Fagenson (Guitar (Electric)), Douglas John Ardito (Vocals), Max Collins (Guitar (Acoustic)), Mark Pontius (Drums), Jolie Jones Levine (Production Coordination), Howard Benson (Producer), Paul Orescan (Marketing), Jamie Muhoberac (Programming), Hatsukazu "Hatch" Inagaki (Engineer), Ryan Yerdon (Group Member), Jeanne Venton (A&R), Andrew Berlin (Guitar), Christian Stone (Group Member), Marc VanGool (Guitar Technician), Tony Fagenson (Guitar (Bass)), Tony Fagenson (Programming), Matt Serrecchio (Engineer), Dean Nelson (Assistant), Howard Benson (Programming), Bill Stevenson (Engineer), Kenny Aronoff (Drums), Tim Pierce (Guitar (Electric)), Tony Fagenson (Producer), Tony Fagenson (Percussion), Brian Howes (Guitar), Jack Joseph Puig (Executive Producer), Tony Battaglia (Producer), Sarah Evans (Management), Johnny Schou (Engineer), Duane Betts (Guitar), Tony Fagenson (Keyboards), Lee Miles (Engineer), Jamie Muhoberac (Keyboards), Jason "JVP" VanPoederooyen (Engineer), Chad Goonan (Management), Andrew Berlin (Engineer), Tony Fagenson (Guitar (Acoustic)), Douglas John Ardito (Guitar), Lenny Castro (Percussion), Max Collins (Producer), Chapman Baehler (Photography), Tim Pierce (Guitar), Bryan Coisne (Engineer), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Drums), Brian Howes (Producer), Josh Frese (Drums), Paul DeCarli (Digital Editing), Tony Fagenson (Vocals (Background)), Jason Livermore (Engineer), Kara DioGuardi (Vocal Producer), Tony Fagenson (Piano), Douglas John Ardito (Bass), Peter Katsis (Management), Jason Livermore (Producer), Christian Stone (Guitar), Gabe Witcher (Vocals (Background)), Wesley Scantlin (Guitar), Tony Fagenson (Engineer), Dean Nelson (Engineer), Josh Freese (Drums), Ted Jensen (Mastering), Howard Benson (Keyboards), Christopher Jak (Engineer), Wesley Scantlin (Vocals), Jack Joseph Puig (A&R), Jack Joseph Puig (Mixing), Bill McGathy (Management), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Percussion), Tony Battaglia (Guitar), Wesley Scantlin (Group Member), Bill Stevenson (Producer), Xandy Barry (Guitar (Electric)), Ryan Yerdon (Drums), Jon Nicholson (Drum Technician), Mike Plotnikoff (Engineer), Lee Miles (Guitar), Tony Battaglia (Engineer), Jack Joseph Puig (Producer)
Famous is the third album from U.S. post grunge band Puddle of Mudd. It was released on October 9, 2007 on Flawless Records. Famous was originally set to be released in May, but was pushed back to add more songs to the album. The album was also announced by the band to be titled Livin' on Borrowed Time, but that was changed to Famous after the name of the first single.
The title track provided the album's lead single on May 21, 2007. "Psycho" would follow as the second single on October 2. Famous debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 31,000 copies in its first week.[1]
In early 2007 the album was in finishing stages with producer Bill Stevenson. The band in its hiatus had written 60 to 70 songs, and eventually weeded threw to a few tracks. It was due out in July with the title, Living on Borrowed Time.[1] Eventually though, the title was changed by an unidentified person in favor of the title track.[2] A decision singer Scantlin didn't care for. But later saying, "I didn't really care. I was just like as long as it comes out, name it whatever you want man." In early 2007 the album was in finishing stages with producer Bill Stevenson. But at the suggestion of some advisors, outside writers and arrangers were brought in to help with album production. This because of record company advisors, who due to file sharing and poor album sales in general, "want to take no chances," as the bands bassist put it in one interview.[3] As of 2009, Scantlin felt the album was fine in its initial finished stage and regrets the changes that were made and somewhat dislikes the final release.[4]
Sound
"Famous" takes on a more alternative rock approach then the bands previous and their preferred post-grunge sound. More traditional lyrics in the realm of positive relationships and religion were aided with clean in-line production. The band also noted that while they felt pressured at times, it was a welcomed change of pace, and that they never intend to leave their roots; only to expand them.
An interview with the band on FUSE TV had Wes Scantlin discussing why some of the issues in the songs had changed from previous efforts. He stated that producer Bill Stevenson "helped me change my life for the better," explaining that before, his life was much like a typical Hollywood newcomer, gradually involving himself more and more in the negative party scene.
