''Shrinking the Blob'' is the first full-length

album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

by American

post-grunge Post-grunge is a derivative of grunge that has a less abrasive or intense tone than traditional grunge. Originally, the term was used almost pejoratively to label mid-1990s rock bands such as Bush (British band), Bush, Candlebox and Collective So ...

band

Oleander ''Nerium oleander'' ( ), most commonly known as oleander or nerium, is a shrub or small tree cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas as an ornamental and landscaping plant. It is the only species currently classified in the ge ...

. It was released independently on Fine Records. Several tracks would be re-released on the band's

major label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produc ...

debut, ''

February Son ''February Son'' is the second studio album and major label debut from post-grunge band Oleander. It was produced by Steven Haigler and released on Universal Records on February 23, 1999, and was certified gold on May 5, 2000. ''February Son'' co ...

'', including the hit single " Why I'm Here." The song "Jimmy Shaker Day" was also included on the 2001 follow-up, '' Unwind''.

Overview

After releasing an eponymous EP 1996, Oleander developed a full-length

, ''Shrinking the Blob'', the following year. This included songs from their EP release as well as some future hit

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

. Oleander gave the album to a friend who worked at 98-Rock KRXQ and had it passed on to program director Curtiss Johnson. Their efforts gained radio exposure for two songs from ''Shrinking the Blob'', "Down When I'm Loaded" and "Stupid." The former gradually became a regional hit, and after opening for

Sugar Ray Sugar Ray is an American rock band formed in Newport Beach, California, in 1986. Originally playing heavier funk metal and nu metal style music, the band achieved mainstream popularity in 1997 with their more pop-influenced single " Fly". T ...

, Oleander was approached by a representative of

Republic Records Republic Records is a New York City–based American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). It was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and was acquired by UMG in 2000. Republic was initially an ...

. This paved way for a deal with

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a ...

and the re-recording of their 1997 studio album.Stone, Adriann
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Track listing

(All songs written by Thomas Flowers, Doug Eldridge, Ric Ivanisevich and Fred Nelson Jr.) # "Where Were You Then?" – 3:56 # "Stupid" – 3:59 # "Down When I'm Loaded" – 4:32 # " Why I'm Here" – 3:57 # "You'll Find Out" – 2:42 # "Jimmy Shaker Day" – 3:21 # "Candy Store" – 4:25 # "Silver Lined" – 2:49 # "Half an Ass" – 2:59 # "Shrinking the Blob" – 4:25

Personnel

* Thomas Flowers - vocals, guitar * Doug Eldridge - bass guitar * Ric Ivanisevich - guitar * Fred Nelson Jr. - drums

References

{{Authority control Oleander (band) albums 1997 debut albums