Wax Ecstatic

Wax Ectastic was originally intended to be a concept album revolving around the death of a drag queen; instead, only two songs on the album address the subject. The band decided against the idea of making a concept album, and instead would incorporate new instrumentation along with a more '70s hard rock-influenced sound compared to Rotting Piñata. ==Release==

Wax Ecstatic was released in July 1996 and peaked at number 60 on the Billboard 200. "Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)" and "Have You Seen Mary" were released as the first and second singles from the album, and both received significant airplay on radio and MTV. The songs "I Am Anastasia" and "Silence Is Their Drug" also received radio airplay, but were not officially released as singles. By 1998, the album had sold a quarter of a million copies. ==Critical reception==

Wax Ecstatic received mostly positive reviews. AllMusic staff writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said "In order to grow, the group went back to their beginnings, touching on glam rock, arena rock, blues rock, and jangle pop. Although it reveals Rotting Piñata to be somewhat calculating in its approach, Wax Ecstatic, ironically, is a far superior album." At the 1997 Detroit Music Awards, Wax Ecstatic won the award for "Outstanding National Rock-Pop Album", and "Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)" was nominated for "Outstanding National Rock-Pop Single". ==Track listing==

All songs produced by Tim Patalan and Sponge. • European Version contains "Slower Suicide" ==Samplers and promos==

All songs produced Tim Patalan and Sponge. All songs produced by Tim Patalan and Sponge except where noted. ==Personnel==

• Vinnie Dombroski – vocals, drums, guitar • Mike Cross – guitar, bass • Tim Cross – bass • Joey Mazzola – guitar, backing vocals • Charlie Grover – drums ==Additional personnel==

• Tim Patalan – recording • Andy Patalan & Matt Hanson – recording assistants • Tim Palmer – mixing, additional production on "Silence Is Their Drug" • Mark O'Donoughue – mix engineer • Jamie Seyberth – additional engineering • Lamont Hyde – engineering assistant • Steve King – engineer • Mike Corbett – post production edit • Howie Weinberg – mastering • Pablo Mathiason – A&R • Susan Silver – management • Stacy Fass – legal • Gudvi, Chapnick & Oppenheim – business management • John Jackson – international booking • Mary Maurer – art direction • SITE – design • Melanie Nissen – photography Additional musicians • Richard Butler – additional vocals on "I Am Anastasia" • Johnny Evans – tenor, alto and baritone sax • Chris Codish – acoustic piano • Mando Dorame – sax solo on "My Baby Said" • Steve Baxter – trombone on "My Baby Said" • Donald Hayes – saxophone on "My Baby Said" • Anne King – trumpet on "My Baby Said" • Tim Patalan – cello Equipment • Fender guitars and strings • Naylor amps • GHS strings • Sabian cymbals • Pearl drums • Vic Firth sticks ==Charts==