August And Everything After by Counting Crows

August and Everything After is the multi-platinum selling debut album by the Berkley, California rock group The Counting Crows. It was released on September 14th, 1993 and went on to sell over 7 million copies in the United States. Rolling Stone ranked August and Everything After at #67 on their list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1990s, writing “An artfully crafted, intimate song cycle, August and Everything After seemed to explode on impact.” The album had eleven tracks and four singles, including “Round Here,” “Rain King,” and “A Murder of One” – the album’s final track. However, it was the song “Mr. Jones” that led to the band’s breakout success and charted their path up the Billboard 200 to #5. Well-crafted melodies, acoustic guitar work, and introspective lyrics drew comparisons to acts like R.E.M. and the Goo Goo Dolls. 

Signed to Geffen Records in 1992, original Counting Crows band members included Adam Duritz, David Bryson, Steve Bowman, Charlie Gillingham, and Mat Malley. In one of their earliest public performances, they filled in for Van Morrison at the 1992 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, where they played Morrison’s song “Caravan.” 

The Counting Crows later revealed that the mysterious Mr. Jones is actually a reference to a former bandmate and friend of Duritz’s. The song captures the band’s wish to break out and become famous and served as both an omen and a catalyst for their success. August and Everything After was nominated for two Grammy’s in 1994, for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (“Round Here”) and Best New Artist. The Counting Crows appeared on both Saturday Night Live and the Late Show with David Letterman in support of the album and toured from 1993 to 1994. August and Everything After was followed by Recovering the Satellites (1996).

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