Gravity (Our Lady Peace album)

The album was recorded in 2001 and 2002 at various studios, including Armoury Studios in Vancouver and The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, with producer Bob Rock, known for his work with Metallica and Mötley Crüe. This was the band's first collaboration with Rock, who also co-wrote several tracks. The band's previous producer Arnold Lanni had worked with them since their debut, and the change in producer signaled a new direction. The album's sound incorporated more electronic elements and a tighter, more radio-friendly production, a departure from the alternative rock style of earlier albums like Clumsy and Spiritual Machines.¹

Gravity is characterized by a more straightforward rock sound, with prominent guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, reflecting the post-grunge and alternative metal trends of the early 2000s. Lyrically, the album explores themes of introspection, relationships, and societal pressures, with lead singer Raine Maida's distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics. The album's title track "Gravity" was released as a single and became a hit, reaching No. 1 on the Canadian rock charts. Other singles included "Somewhere Out There" and "Innocent," both of which received significant airplay.²

Gravity debuted at No. 1 on the Canadian Albums Chart and was certified Platinum in Canada. In the United States, it peaked at No. 138 on the Billboard 200. Critical reception was mixed; some praised the band's new direction, while others criticized the loss of their earlier experimental edge. Despite mixed reviews, the album was a commercial success and helped the band maintain a strong following in Canada.³

One lesser-known fact is that the album was originally intended to be a concept album about the 1999 film The Matrix, but the idea was abandoned. The song "In Repair" was written by guitarist Steve Mazur, his first writing credit with the band. The album's cover art features a photograph of a man falling, which was taken by photographer James Minchin. The track "Bring Back the Sun" features backing vocals by Avril Lavigne, who was a rising star at the time and a friend of the band. Additionally, the album's recording sessions were documented in a series of webisodes, which were among the first such behind-the-scenes features by a major band.⁴

Post-grunge

A subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s, characterized by the grunge sound but with a more radio-friendly and polished production.

CRIA

Canadian Recording Industry Association, now known as Music Canada, which certifies album sales in Canada.