The Fourth World (album)

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The Fourth World
Studio album by
Kara's Flowers
ReleasedAugust 19, 1997 (1997-08-19)
Genre
Length39:30
LabelReprise
ProducerRob Cavallo
Kara's Flowers chronology
We Like Digging?
(1995) 		The Fourth World
(1997) 		Songs About Jane
(2002)
Alternative cover
Japanese cover
Singles from The Fourth World
  1. "Soap Disco"
    Released: July 22, 1997

The Fourth World is the second studio album and major label debut by the band Kara's Flowers, who later achieved greater success under the name Maroon 5. The album contains 11 tracks, plus one bonus track on the Japanese edition.

Following their 1995 self-released album We Like Digging?, Kara's Flowers signed with Reprise Records, teamed up with the people who worked with Green Day and released The Fourth World on August 19, 1997.[4] The band had little success with the album and parted with the record label two years later. They continued to explore different musical styles until finally coming together again with James Valentine under the name Maroon 5.[5]

Single[edit]

The lead single, "Soap Disco", was released on July 22, 1997. A music video was produced for the single, depicting the group walking through a park and performing in an orange and green room.[6] A storm appears at the end of the video. The video was directed by Mark Kohr (who has directed music videos for Alanis Morissette and Green Day). The video made an airplay on 120 Minutes. The song was included in Volume 50 of CMJ New Music Monthly.[3][7]

The band made an appearance from the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, where they performed the song in the episode "Forgive and Forget".[8]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[10]
Pitchfork3.5/10[11]
Sputnikmusic[12]

Giving the album a B+, Tom Lanham with Entertainment Weekly said the "optimistic, lyrically awkward kids spend 10 more happy tracks turning the tables on lethargic slacker cynicism, with Green Day producer Rob Cavallo bridling all that youthful zeal."[10]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Adam Levine, except where noted

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Soap Disco" 2:40
2."Future Kid" 4:44
3."Myself" 3:05
4."Oliver" 2:38
5."The Never Saga"Levine, Jesse Carmichael3:58
6."Loving the Small Time" 3:32
7."To Her, with Love" 2:52
8."Sleepy Windbreaker"Levine, Carmichael3:05
9."Pantry Queen"Levine, Carmichael3:46
10."My Ocean Blue" 3:11
11."Captain Splendid"Levine, Carmichael5:59
Total length:39:30
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Buddy "Two Shoes" Wilson"Levine, Carmichael2:29
Total length:41:59

Personnel[edit]

Kara's Flowers

Additional musicians

Production

Release history[edit]

Release history for The Fourth World
Region Date Edition Format Label Ref.
United States August 19, 1997 Standard CD Reprise [13]
Japan October 5, 1997 WEA Japan [14]
United States May 25, 2004 Reissue Rhino Entertainment [15]
Various January 24, 2020 Limited Vinyl Music on Vinyl [16]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Buss, Bryan. "Kara's Flowers - "The Fourth World"". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Cafarelli, Carl (1998). "Kara's Flowers". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 623.
  3. ^ a b S. R. Kheas (5 February 2019). "Stand Out Albums: Kara's Flowers 'The Fourth World' (1997)". Late To The Game. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  4. ^ VH1.com: Kara's Flowers Artist Page Accessed August 18, 2007.
  5. ^ allmusic: Kara's Flowers Accessed August 18, 2007.
  6. ^ "Gone Digital: Army of Lovers, Matt Bianco, Steve Forbert, Kara's Flowers, and The Monochrome Set". Rhino Entertainment. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  7. ^ "CMJ New Music Monthly Volume 50 October 1997". Discogs. October 1997. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Adam Levine's First Band, Kara's Flowers, Appeared on What '90s Drama?". Wetprint. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  9. ^ AllMusic review
  10. ^ a b Lanham, Tom (August 15, 1997). "The Fourth World". Entertainment Weekly. No. 392. p. 74. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Moll, Susan (January 2005). "Kara's Flowers: The Fourth World". Pitchfork. Archived from a dead link on November 2, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Kara's Flowers The Fourth World". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Kara's Flowers – The Fourth World". Rate Your Music. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Kara's Flowers – The Fourth World" カーラズ・フラワーズ (フォース・ワールド). Discogs. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Kara's Flowers : Fourth World CD (2004) - Rhino". Oldies.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Kara's Flowers – The Fourth World (Limited Edition)". Music on Vinyl. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
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