Blue in the Face signals Doubledrive's re-emergence after three tumultuous years of label chaos.

While 1999's 1000 Yard Stare was as solid a post-grunge offering as any of its contemporaries, MCA dragged its feet on promotion and Doubledrive watched with anger as it quickly faded from view.

Trying to appease the label's wishes, the Atlanta quartet recorded another album, hoping to release it quickly and generate more interest.

But MCA wasn't happy with the results, and the two parties soon parted ways.

But after hearing the sessions (which were recorded by Creed producer John Kurzweg), Roadrunner/Island expressed interest.

The label was thriving on the success of Canuck rockers Nickelback, and was looking to expand its roster of metal-tinged acts.

In mid-2002, Doubledrive signed with Roadrunner and re-entered the studio with the songs it had intended for the MCA follow-up.

This time around, the band worked with Michael Barbiero, best-known for his production work with Guns n' Roses.

With Barbiero, Doubledrive recorded four new songs and revised two songs from the original sessions.

Additionally, Barbiero remixed five of Kurzweg's holdovers.

The result, Blue in the Face, was released in April 2003.