{{About|the Crazy Town album|other uses|Dark Horse (disambiguation){{!}}Dark Horse}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Darkhorse | type = studio | artist = Crazy Town | cover = Crazy Town - Darkhorse.jpg | border = yes | released = November 12, 2002 | recorded = April–August 2002 | studio = {{hlist|7 Bay Studios (Valley Village, California)|Sparky Dark Studios (Calabasas, California)|7th House Studios (Hollywood, California)}} | genre = {{hlist|Nu metal|rap rock|alternative rock}} | length = 47:50 | label = Columbia | producer = Howard Benson, Crazy Town | prev_title = The Gift of Game | prev_year = 1999 | next_title = The Brimstone Sluggers | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Singles | name = Darkhorse | type = studio | single1 = Drowning | single1date = October 15, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2002-09-13 |title=Crazy Town Set To Return '…From Nowhere' In November |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/crazy-town-set-to-return-from-nowhere-in-november |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}</ref> | single2 = Hurt You So Bad | single2date = March 19, 2003 }} }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = (no rating)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/darkhorse-mw0000662396?1636868527205 |title=Crazy Town : Darkhorse |work=AllMusic |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211114054426/https://www.allmusic.com/album/darkhorse-mw0000662396?1636868527205 |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = Counterculture.co.uk | rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.counterculture.co.uk/album-review/crazy-town-darkhorse.html |title=Crazy Town : Darkhorse |last=Shaeffer |first=Rowan |work=Counterculture.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810121618/http://www.counterculture.co.uk/album-review/crazy-town-darkhorse.html |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev3score = C−<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,388442,00.html |title=darkhorse (2002) |last=Brunner |first=Rob |date=November 15, 2002 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018184000/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,388442,00.html |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Melodic'' | rev4score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=1686 |title=Crazy Town - Darkhorse |last=Wippsson |first=Johan |work=Melodic |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905124506/http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=1686 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev5 = ''PopMatters'' | rev5score = unfavorable<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/crazytown-darkhorse-2495863351.html|title=Crazy Town : Darkhorse|last=Tranter|first=Nikki|date=July 28, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103151007/https://www.popmatters.com/crazytown-darkhorse-2495863351.html|archive-date=January 3, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> | noprose = yes }}
'''''Darkhorse''''' is the second studio album by American rap rock band Crazy Town. It was released through Columbia Records/Sony Music on November 12, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457740/crazy-town-take-on-all-comers-with-darkhorse/ |title=Crazy Town Take On All Comers With Darkhorse |last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |date=September 23, 2002 |work=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212213231/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457740/crazy-town-take-on-all-comers-with-darkhorse/ |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album had two singles, "Drowning", which was a minor hit in several countries, and "Hurt You So Bad", which did not chart. ''Darkhorse'' peaked at No. 120 on the US ''Billboard'' 200, and No. 164 in the UK, achieving considerably less success than their debut album ''The Gift of Game''. The band was subsequently dropped by Sony/Columbia in 2003, and went on hiatus.
==Production== The band initially wanted to record the album in 2001, but were undecided on which producer to choose, wanting to work with either Rick Rubin or Don Gilmore.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-12-16 |title=MTV.com - News -Crazy Town Ready To Record Second LP |website=MTV |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450442/10302001/crazy_town.jhtml |access-date=2024-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021216152232/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450442/10302001/crazy_town.jhtml |archive-date=16 December 2002 }}</ref> By the time they settled on Howard Benson, it was already into 2002.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=DAngelo |first=Joe |date=July 9, 2002 |title=Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Records With Crazy Town |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1455983/weezers-rivers-cuomo-records-with-crazy-town/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100201/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455983/weezers-rivers-cuomo-records-with-crazy-town/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |work=MTV}}</ref> The album was recorded and mixed from April to August 2002,<ref name=":3" /> with additional work on b-sides and remixes lasting into September 2002.<ref name=":5" />
The album's working title was ''Nothing Comes from Nowhere'', which are lyrics from the song "Decorated."<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2002 |title=Crazy Town Continue Work On "Nothing Comes From Nowhere" |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/crazy-town-continue-work-on-nothing-comes-from-nowhere |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301100240/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/crazy-town-continue-work-on-nothing-comes-from-nowhere/ |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}</ref> A limited-edition version of ''Darkhorse'' came with a bonus DVD which included a making-of-the-album documentary, as well as the music videos for "Drowning," "Butterfly," and "Revolving Door."
=== Guest appearances === According to Mazur, Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am was a guest on one of the songs (presumably dropped from the record).<ref name=":3" /> Rivers Cuomo of Weezer provided a guitar solo on the song "Hurt You So Bad."<ref name=":0" /> Members of Orgy (who had previously collaborated on the song "Black Cloud" from ''The Gift of Game'') also collaborated on the song "Boom Box Gang War," which was recorded during ''Darkhorse''<nowiki/>'s production and initially reserved for a soundtrack album; it was eventually included on the "Hurt You So Bad" single in 2003.<ref name=":3" /> Another b-side, "Deja Vu," (released on singles for both "Drowning" and "Hurt You So Bad") features Jesse McFaddin of Rize.<ref name=":1" /> Producer Paul Oakenfold, with whom Binzer had collaborated earlier in 2002 on the single "Starry Eyed Surprise," did a remix of the song "Hurt You So Bad," released on the single.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2001-07-26 |title=Oakenfold's Crazy 'Starry-Eyed' Sensation |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-oakenfold-9-1375051 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Rap group Dirty Unit (which had previously collaborated on the song "Think Fast" from ''The Gift of Game'') provided vocals on the b-side "Suck on My Gun," which was used on the singles for both "Drowning" and "Hurt You So Bad." Max Sadeghi played the santoor on "Sorry," while the album's producer Howard Benson provided additional keyboards on multiple songs.
==Promotion== In late July 2002, the band did a ten-hour promotional photo shoot at six different locations in the desert outside Lancaster, California.<ref name=":4" /> The pictures were used in the booklet design for ''Darkhorse'' as well as the accompanying singles, in addition to being distributed for press coverage. In August 2002, the band provided a demo version of the song "Battlecry" for exclusive airing on Jay Gordon's D1 Music internet radio station.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2005-05-03 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-02-08-02.php?images= |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050503130036/http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-02-08-02.php?images= |archive-date=3 May 2005 }}</ref>
On September 24–25, 2002, the band shot the music video for the lead single, "Drowning" with directors Emmett and Brendan Malloy.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2005-05-05 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-09-21-02.php?images= |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505045657/http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-09-21-02.php?images= |archive-date=5 May 2005 }}</ref>
The band only toured briefly (under 25 shows) in promotion of the release, starting with a few dates in Europe and the United Kingdom from mid-October to early-November 2002 (though 3 weeks were initially proposed), which Valli described as "a promo tour where we just do interviews, TV shows and a couple of short performances."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2005-05-05 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-08-30-02.php?images= |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505045511/http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-08-30-02.php?images= |archive-date=5 May 2005 }}</ref><ref name=":5" /> This was followed by a festival date in Brazil on December 3, 2002,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-12-17 |title=:: 89 A Rádio Rock {{!}} Notas Musicais :: |url=http://www.89fm.com.br/notas/?8802 |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021217041452/http://www.89fm.com.br/notas/?8802 |archive-date=17 December 2002 }}</ref> and a festival date in San Diego, California on December 6, 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-09-24 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://crazytown.com:80/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020924125342/http://crazytown.com:80/ |archive-date=24 September 2002 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-12-26 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://crazytown.info/tourArchive.php |access-date=2024-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226185130/http://crazytown.info/tourArchive.php |archive-date=26 December 2004 }}</ref> The band later reflected they felt their management and record label had already given up on promoting ''Darkhorse'' by the time they returned from Europe, before it was even released.<ref name="where ya been">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=July 2, 2007 |title=Where Ya Been?: City High Drop Out, Crazy Town Stop The Insanity |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1551815/where-ya-been-city-high-drop-out-crazy-town-stop-the-insanity/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506063051/https://www.mtv.com/news/1551815/where-ya-been-city-high-drop-out-crazy-town-stop-the-insanity/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |work=MTV}}</ref> The band held a live chat with their fans on their website on the night of the release date,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-24 |title=Total Assault |url=http://www.totalassault.com/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021124000226/http://www.totalassault.com/ |archive-date=24 November 2002 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2002 |title=CrazyTown Live Chat Transcript |url=http://www.crazytown.com/chat111202.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021209180511/http://www.crazytown.com/chat111202.html |archive-date=9 December 2002 }}</ref> and later appeared on the ''Rockline'' radio show on November 25, 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-22 |title=Total Assault |url=http://www.totalassault.com/team.php?team_id=10 |access-date=2024-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021122205040/http://www.totalassault.com/team.php?team_id=10 |archive-date=22 November 2002 }}</ref> A proper European tour was planned for December 2002 but fell through.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-05-05 |title=Crazy Town |url=http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-11-10-02.php?images= |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505045653/http://www.crazytown.info/Press/Chats/D1music.com-11-10-02.php?images= |archive-date=5 May 2005 }}</ref>
Crazy Town performed headlining shows in the American West Coast spanning January 6–23, 2003, supported by Hotwire.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Tuesday 12-10-2002 |url=http://www.theprp.com/oldnews/411132.shtml |access-date=2024-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030307071508/http://www.theprp.com/oldnews/411132.shtml |archive-date=7 March 2003 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Sony Music Online Japan |url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/CrazyTown/m_info.html#LIVE |access-date=2024-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815223619fw_/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/CrazyTown/m_info.html#LIVE |archive-date=15 August 2004 }}</ref> They also played one show in Australia on January 27, 2003, two shows at Magic Rock Out Festival in Japan on February 7–8, 2003, and two dates in Europe (including one at MTV's Winterjam Festival) on March 14–15, 2003.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-12-26 |title=Crazy Town Tour Archive |url=http://crazytown.info/tourArchive.php |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226185130/http://crazytown.info/tourArchive.php |archive-date=26 December 2004 }}</ref>
==Chart and commercial performance and hiatus== The lead single, "Drowning," was released on October 15, 2002, and peaked to No. 24 on ''Billboard'''s American Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, No. 45 on ''Billboard''<nowiki/>'s German Hits of the World Hot Movers Singles chart, and No. 50 in the UK. Once ''Darkhorse'' was released a month later, it entered at and peaked to No. 120 on ''Billboard'''s Billboard 200 chart, and No. 164 in the UK. However, it sold fewer than 13,000 units in its first week.<ref name="taunts">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458830/crazy-town-hope-to-put-an-end-to-butterfly-boys-taunts/ |title=Crazy Town Hope To Put An End To 'Butterfly Boys' Taunts |last=DAngelo |first=Joe |date=November 21, 2002 |work=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603012508/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458830/crazy-town-hope-to-put-an-end-to-butterfly-boys-taunts/ |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Crazy Town stated they were not personally disappointed that the album did not sell as well as their last, ''The Gift of Game'', considering they were moving the band in a new direction, away from the pop success they achieved with their number 1 song "Butterfly."<ref name="taunts" /> A second and final single, "Hurt You So Bad," featuring a guitar solo by Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, was released in February 2003, but failed to chart.<ref name=":0" /> The band had previously mentioned the possibility of releasing "Change" as a single.<ref name=":2" />
In May 2003, the band was dropped by Sony/Columbia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-13 |title=Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/189987602/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-13 |title=Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/189989886/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The band later revealed that their record company had been pressuring them for a "Butterfly" follow-up.<ref name="where ya been" /> Although rumors of the band's breakup surfaced due to inactivity, Tyler confirmed in November 2003 that Crazy Town was still together but had gone under hiatus to allow each member to focus on solo endeavors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crazy Town in Russia |url=http://www.crazytown.by.ru/arhiv3.shtml |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803212201fw_/http://www.crazytown.by.ru/arhiv3.shtml |archive-date=3 August 2004 }}</ref> In February 2004, Tyler addressed the fact that the band would not be re-signing with Columbia Records due to the record company's unwillingness to promote their albums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crazy Town in Russia |url=http://www.crazytown.by.ru/arhiv2.shtml |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803212158fw_/http://www.crazytown.by.ru/arhiv2.shtml |archive-date=3 August 2004 }}</ref> The band became active again in 2007, and eventually released a third album, ''The Brimstone Sluggers'', in 2015.
==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Crazy Town | title1 = Decorated | length1 = 3:07 | title2 = Hurt You So Bad | length2 = 3:46 | note2 = featuring Rivers Cuomo | title3 = Drowning | length3 = 3:19 | title4 = Change | length4 = 3:44 | title5 = Candy Coated | length5 = 4:22 | title6 = Waste of My Time | length6 = 2:56 | title7 = Sorry | length7 = 4:15 | title8 = Battle Cry | length8 = 2:49 | title9 = Take It to the Bridge | length9 = 3:18 | title10 = Skulls and Stars | length10 = 4:25 | title11 = Beautiful | length11 = 3:18 | title23 = You're the One | length23 = 3:56 | title32 = Them Days | length32 = 3:11 }} (Tracks 12 to 22 and 24 to 31 are blank)
==Personnel== '''Crazy Town''' *Bret Mazur – co-lead vocals, turntables, samples *Shifty Shellshock – co-lead vocals *Kraig Tyler – guitar, backing vocals *Anthony Valli – guitar *Doug Miller – bass *Kyle Hollinger – drums
'''Additional musicians''' *Rivers Cuomo – guitar solo on "Hurt You So Bad"
'''Production''' *Howard Benson – producer, keyboards *Mike Plotnikoff – recording, digital editing, engineer *Eric Miller – engineer *Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer *Chris Lord-Alge – mixing *Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound in New York
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Darkhorse'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2003) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=69}}</ref> | 90 |- {{album chart|France|139|artist=Crazy Town|album=Darkhorse|rowheader=true|access-date=September 9, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Germany|52|id=4341|artist=Crazy Town|album=Darkhorse|rowheader=true|access-date=September 9, 2022}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|90|artist=Crazy Town|album=Darkhorse|rowheader=true|access-date=September 9, 2022}} |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM|title=Chart Log UK: (1994–2010) Chris C. – CZR|publisher=Zobbel.de|access-date=June 30, 2023|archive-date=May 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527093808/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> | 164 |- ! scope="row"| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20021201/112|title=Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=December 1, 2002|access-date=June 30, 2023}}</ref> | 17 |- {{album chart|Billboard200|120|artist=Crazy Town|rowheader=true|access-date=September 9, 2022}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:2002 albums Category:Crazy Town albums Category:Albums produced by Howard Benson Category:Columbia Records albums Category:Sony Music albums