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The Strange Case Of...
The Strange Case Of...
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The Strange Case Of...
Standard edition cover. Some editions appear without the band's and album's title.
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 10, 2012
Recorded2011
Studio
  • Bay 7 Studios (Valley Village, CA)
  • Sparky Dark Studio (Calabasas, CA)
  • Sunset Sound Studios (Hollywood, CA)
Genre
Length40:56
LabelAtlantic
ProducerHoward Benson
Halestorm chronology
Reanimate: The Covers EP
(2011)
The Strange Case Of...
(2012)
Reanimate 2.0: The Covers EP
(2013)
Singles from The Strange Case Of...
  1. "Love Bites (So Do I)"
    Released: January 24, 2012
  2. "I Miss the Misery"
    Released: July 22, 2012
  3. "Freak Like Me"
    Released: January 8, 2013
  4. "Here's to Us"
    Released: May 14, 2013
  5. "Mz. Hyde"
    Released: October 21, 2013[3]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
411ManiaStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[1]
AllMusicStarStarStar[4]
aNewRisingMusicStarStarStarStar[5]
Kerrang!StarStarStarStar[6]
Live MetalStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[7]
LoudwireStarStarStarStarHalf star[8]

The Strange Case Of... is the second studio album by American rock band Halestorm. It was released on April 10, 2012 by Atlantic. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who also produced the band's self-titled debut album. The first single and video from the album "Love Bites (So Do I)" won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.[9] The song "Freak Like Me" was the band's first single to reach number one on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song "Here's to Us" was performed on the US television show, Glee, with clean lyrics. Four of the album's songs were previously released on the sneak-preview EP Hello, It's Mz. Hyde. A deluxe edition of the album was also released containing three bonus tracks. A different version of the song "Here's to Us" featuring multiple guests including Slash was included as a bonus track on the reissue version of the standard and deluxe version of the album in 2013. In interviews about the album, Hale noted that the album was heavier than their previous album, but was significantly closer to the sound of them live.

The album debuted at No. 7 on Top Rock Albums and No. 15 on the Billboard 200, selling 24,000 copies in its first week.[10] It has sold 1,000,000 copies in the US as of June 2, 2022, certified by the RIAA.[11]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Love Bites (So Do I)"3:11
2."Mz. Hyde"3:22
3."I Miss the Misery"
  • Hale
  • Christine Danielle Connolly
  • Stevens
3:03
4."Freak Like Me"3:38
5."Beautiful with You"
  • Hale
  • Nina Ossoff
  • Dana Calitri
  • Maria Sommer
3:16
6."In Your Room"
  • Hale
  • Zac Maloy
2:46
7."Break In"
  • Hale
  • Aimée Proal
  • Graves
  • Mark L. Holman
4:45
8."Rock Show"3:19
9."Daughters of Darkness"
  • Hale
  • Blair Daly
3:55
10."You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing"
3:11
11."American Boys"
  • Hale
  • Robert Huff
3:28
12."Here's to Us"2:57
Total length:40:56
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Don't Know How to Stop"
  • Hale
  • Emery
  • Irvin
  • Jason Keith Perry
3:55
14."Private Parts" (feat. James Michael of Sixx:A.M.)
  • Hale
  • James Michael
3:59
15."Hate It When You See Me Cry"Hale3:11
Total length:52:01
Reissue edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Here's to Us (Guest Version)" (feat. Slash, Wolfgang Van Halen, Brent Smith, Myles Kennedy, James Michael, Tyler Connolly, David Draiman, and Maria Brink)
  • Hale
  • Gad
  • Brisebois
3:15
Total length:44:11

Hello, It's Mz. Hyde EP

[edit]

The band released an EP before the album release of four of the songs set to appear on The Strange Case Of....

No.TitleLength
1."Love Bites (So Do I)" 
2."Rock Show" 
3."Daughters of Darkness" 
4."Here's to Us" 
Total length:13:28

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Strange Case Of....[12]

Band members

  • Lzzy Hale – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Joe Hottinger – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Josh Smith – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Arejay Hale – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional personnel

Production

  • Anne Declemente – A&R, administration
  • Pete Ganbarg – A&R
  • Paul DeCarli – digital editing, engineer
  • Jon Nicholson – drum technician
  • Jimmy Fahey – engineer
  • Hatsukazu "Hatch" Inagaki – engineer
  • James Michael – engineer
  • Mike Plotnikoff – engineer
  • Marc VanGool – guitar technician
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
  • Brian Ranney – packaging
  • Howard Benson – producer, programming
  • Lenny Skolnik – programming

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Silver 60,000
United States (RIAA)[25] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Strange Case Of... is the second studio album by American hard rock band Halestorm. It was released on April 10, 2012, through Atlantic Records and produced by Howard Benson. The album features the Grammy Award-winning single "Love Bites (So Do I)", which became the band's first No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The record debuted at No. 15 on the US and topped the Hard Rock Albums chart, marking Halestorm's commercial breakthrough. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA as of June 2022. Other singles include "Mz. Hyde" and "Freak Like Me", the latter also reaching No. 1 on Mainstream Rock. The album explores themes of duality and personal struggle, drawing inspiration from the Jekyll and Hyde narrative, and received positive reviews for Lzzy Hale's vocals and the band's energy.

Background and recording

Development

Following the success of their self-titled debut album in 2009, conceived The Strange Case Of... as their second studio release, with the goal of capturing a heavier and more authentic representation of their live performances. The band began songwriting during their 2010 road tours, developing ideas amid constant travel before entering . Lzzy Hale envisioned the album as an exploration of dual personalities, drawing from her personal experiences and the band's maturation, exemplified by the "Mz. Hyde" that represented her contrasting public and private selves. This thematic focus emerged organically, reflecting a balance of aggressive and intimate elements to portray multifaceted identities without forcing uniformity. Hale's lyrics were deeply influenced by fan interactions, including stories shared through letters and , which provided raw emotional fuel for the material. The band selected producer , who had helmed their debut, for his proven expertise in crafting dynamic rock sounds, as demonstrated in prior collaborations with acts like and . Pre-production began shortly after the Avalanche Tour concluded on May 8, 2011, building on song ideas developed during 2010 tours, marked by collaborative experimentation where guitarist Joe Hottinger contributed more riffs and the group prioritized personal narratives over external excitement. A key shift from the debut's more polished production stemmed from fan feedback during tours, pushing the band toward a rawer, more varied energy that better mirrored their stage intensity and allowed for greater confidence in their sound. This evolution was further inspired by their covers EP ReAniMate, which encouraged bolder musical risks. Recording commenced in late May , shortly after the Avalanche Tour concluded.

Recording sessions

Recording for The Strange Case Of... occurred over several months in 2011, following the band's completion of the Avalanche Tour on May 8, 2011. Sessions commenced shortly thereafter, with the group arriving in and beginning work around weekend at Bay 7 Studios in Valley Village, California. Additional tracking took place at Sparky Dark Studio in , and Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California. The process wrapped by late 2011, yielding a standard edition runtime of 40:56. Howard Benson produced the album, drawing on his prior collaboration with Halestorm for their 2009 debut. Mike Plotnikoff served as engineer and mixer, while oversaw the final mixes. The band approached the sessions with material honed through live performances on tour, emphasizing a high-energy capture of their stage dynamic. Lead vocalist recorded her parts efficiently, as seen with the rapid completion of tracks like "Love Bites (So Do I)." While some overdubs were incorporated, such as additional guitar layers by guitarist Joe Hottinger and session player , the recordings primarily featured core band performances with minimal guest contributions. The sessions unfolded in three phases, allowing the group to refine selections from an initial pool of over 50 songs.

Composition

Musical style

The Strange Case Of... is primarily a album that incorporates elements of heavy metal and , delivering a heavier and more aggressive sound than Halestorm's 2009 self-titled debut album. The record emphasizes raw energy through dirty guitar riffs and pounding rhythms, while blending in melodic hooks and occasional pop influences for broader appeal. Central to the album's sonic identity are the prominent guitar riffs from Joe Hottinger and , which drive the aggressive tone alongside Arejay Hale's driving drum beats and Josh Smith's bass lines that underscore the groove. Electronic touches, including keyboards played by , add subtle layers without overpowering the core rock instrumentation. Produced by , the album's layered arrangements strike a balance between a raw, live-band feel and polished production suited for mainstream radio. Tracks range from mid-tempo anthems like "Love Bites (So Do I)" to faster-paced rockers such as "," with most songs clocking in at 3 to 4 minutes on average. Dynamic shifts between verses and choruses enhance its anthemic, radio-friendly quality, aligning closely with the band's high-energy live performances.

Lyrics and themes

The album The Strange Case Of... centers on themes of duality and inner conflict, drawing inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Hyde to explore the tension between restraint and release. Lead singer embodies this through her "Mz. Hyde" persona, a bold she created as a child to overcome shyness and channel her stage energy, representing unleashed femininity, power, and the rock star identity she adopts offstage. This duality serves as the album's unifying thread, binding aggressive tracks with vulnerable ballads and reflecting Hale's personal navigation of introversion versus extroverted performance. Recurring motifs include , rebellion, , and self-empowerment, often drawn from Hale's life experiences and blended with classic rock archetypes. Tracks like "Daughters of Darkness" emphasize female and , celebrating women who embrace their unapologetic strength and revel in without judgment. "Here's to Us" functions as a resilient toast to perseverance, honoring underdogs and those rebounding from hardship with unity and defiance. "I Miss the Misery" captures nostalgia for toxic relationships' intensity—stemming from Hale's own breakup after —framed as a path to greater and hope. These elements prioritize personal rebellion over societal norms, fostering through raw . The lyrics, primarily co-written by Hale with band guitarist Joe Hottinger and external collaborators such as producers Pete Woodroffe and David Bassett, weave personal anecdotes from the band's touring life into universal narratives of relational strife and growth. Tone varies from aggressive empowerment in songs like "I Miss the Misery," where Hale asserts dominance over past chaos, to introspective vulnerability in "Beautiful With You," a tender highlighting emotional openness in . The deliberately avoids explicit political content, instead centering on intimate emotional and relational dynamics to connect with listeners on a level. Musical elements, such as dynamic shifts in instrumentation, subtly reinforce these thematic contrasts without overshadowing the lyrical focus.

Release and promotion

Singles

The release strategy for The Strange Case Of... emphasized building anticipation through pre-album promotions and a series of singles aimed at radio and fan engagement on formats. Prior to the album's April 10, 2012 launch, Halestorm issued the Hello, It's Mz. Hyde EP on January 24, 2012, featuring "Mz. Hyde" as a lead track to generate early buzz; the later served as a full single on , 2013, accompanied by a directed by Daniel E. Catullo III that highlighted the band's dual-persona theme. The lead single, "Love Bites (So Do I)", was released on January 24, 2012, in digital and promotional formats, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 1 on the Active Rock chart in May 2012 and marking Halestorm as the first female-fronted band to top the Active Rock radio list. Its music video, directed by Jeremy Alter and released on February 14, 2012, captured high-energy live performance elements with thematic vampire imagery to underscore the song's aggressive romance narrative. The track earned Halestorm their first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2013. "I Miss the Misery" followed as the second single on July 22, 2012, with a music video emphasizing emotional intensity and band camaraderie, contributing to sustained radio momentum. "Freak Like Me", released January 8, 2013, became the third single and another chart-topper at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart in April 2013, its official video showcasing theatrical rock elements to promote self-acceptance themes. "Here's to Us", issued in 2013 with a standard digital release and a guest version on May 7 featuring Slash, rounded out the singles campaign; the August 7, 2013 music video celebrated unity with live footage and guest appearances, tying into broader promotional efforts.

Marketing and touring

To build anticipation for The Strange Case Of..., Halestorm released the digital EP Hello, It's Mz. Hyde on January 24, 2012, featuring four tracks from the upcoming album—"Love Bites (So Do I)," "Mz. Hyde," "You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Compliment," and "I Miss the Misery"—distributed exclusively to fans and media outlets as a sneak preview. Atlantic Records spearheaded the marketing campaign with a strong emphasis on rock radio promotion, where "Love Bites (So Do I)" achieved the unprecedented #1 position on the Active Rock radio chart for a female-fronted band, marking a historic milestone. The label also utilized teasers, including footage and track previews shared on platforms like and the band's official site, to engage fans leading up to the April 10 release. In-store promotional events were held at select retailers, such as acoustic performances and signings to drive physical sales. The album's touring support began with Halestorm opening for Staind and Godsmack on U.S. dates in April 2012, followed by headlining slots on their extensive summer trek, including the Strange Summer Tour. In the fall, they launched the Jägermeister Presents Halestorm Tour, a U.S. headlining run from November to December 2012, supported by acts like and Eve to Adam. Internationally, the band promoted the album in Europe by supporting on their tour and performing at major festivals, including in , on May 19 and in , , on June 9. Additional promotion included tie-ins with media placements, such as "I Miss the Misery" featured in Rock Band 4 and "Love Bites (So Do I)" in Guitar Hero Live, extending the album's reach to gaming audiences. Merchandise lines, including T-shirts, posters, and vinyl reissues emblazoned with the album's iconic split-personality artwork, were launched through the band's official store and partners like Atlantic, enhancing fan engagement during tours.

Commercial performance

Charts

The Strange Case Of... debuted at number 15 on the chart in April 2012, with 24,000 copies sold in its first week . It simultaneously reached number 1 on the Albums chart and number 7 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Internationally, the album peaked at number 49 on the Official Albums Chart, marking Halestorm's entry into that market.
Chart (2012)Peak Position
(US)15
Hard Rock Albums (US)1
Top Rock Albums (US)7
Official Albums Chart ()49
The album's , "Freak Like Me," became a standout, topping the Mainstream Rock Songs chart for two weeks in early 2013. This success contributed to the album's sustained presence on rock-oriented charts into the following year.

Certifications

"The Strange Case Of..." achieved its first major certification in the United States when the RIAA awarded it status on March 8, 2016, for 500,000 units shipped. This milestone reflected the album's strong performance in the genre following its 2012 release. The certification was upgraded to on June 2, 2022, recognizing 1,000,000 units shipped, including equivalent album units from streaming; no further RIAA updates have been issued as of November 2025. In the , the album received a Silver certification from the BPI for sales of 60,000 units. Estimated worldwide sales for the album exceed 1 million copies as of 2025, primarily driven by its U.S. performance and contributions from streaming equivalents. The album has not received official certifications in other regions, such as from or from , as of November 2025.

Critical reception

Reviews

Upon its release, The Strange Case Of... received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its energetic sound and Lzzy Hale's powerful vocals while noting some criticisms regarding its production and originality. gave it 4.5/5 stars, commending the album's high energy and radio-friendly hooks but pointing out occasional formulaic elements in its songwriting.

Accolades

The lead single "Love Bites (So Do I)" from The Strange Case Of... earned Halestorm their first Grammy Award, winning Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013. The album received acclaim in year-end rankings, placing fifth on Loudwire's list of the Top 10 Hard Rock Albums of 2012 for its blend of hard rock energy and vocal prowess. Subsequent singles from the record also garnered chart recognition; "Freak Like Me" topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart for two weeks in early 2013, becoming the first song by a female-fronted rock act to reach No. 1 in the format since Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet" in 1990.

Track listing

Standard edition

The standard edition of The Strange Case Of..., released on April 10, 2012, by , features 12 original tracks that showcase 's hard rock sound, blending aggressive riffs, anthemic choruses, and personal themes of duality and empowerment. The album was produced by . The tracklist emphasizes the band's evolution from their debut, with "Love Bites (So Do I)" serving as the that propelled the album's commercial success.
No.TitleWriter(s)LengthNotes
1."Love Bites (So Do I)", 3:11Lead single; energetic opener with pop-metal hooks.
2."Mz. Hyde", 3:22Title-inspired track exploring inner conflict; inspired the pre-release EP.
3."I Miss the Misery", Christine Connolly, 3:03Mid-tempo rocker reflecting on past chaos.
4."Freak Like Me", Johnny Andrews, Rob Graves3:38High-energy track embracing outsider identity.
5."Beautiful With You", Nina Ossoff, Dana Calitri, Maria Sommer3:16Ballad highlighting vulnerability in relationships.
6."In Your Room", Zac Maloy2:47Cover of ' song, reimagined in style.
7."Break In", Aimée Proal, Rob Graves, Mark Holman4:45Intense track about breaking emotional barriers.
8."Rock Show", Julian Emery, Jim Irvin3:19Upbeat ode to live performances and rock culture.
9."Daughters of Darkness", Blair Daly3:56Anthemic call to female solidarity in rock.
10."Love/Hate Sex/Pain" (featuring ), 3:12Duet with Metallica's on turbulent romance.
11."You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing", Nina Ossoff, Dana Calitri, 3:11Defiant response to in music.
12."Here's to Us", , 2:51Closing celebratory toast to resilience.
The original artwork, designed by Alex Kirzhner, features split-personality imagery of in black-and-white tones, symbolizing the album's theme of internal duality. Later deluxe and reissue editions expanded this core release with additional bonus tracks.

Deluxe and reissue editions

The deluxe edition of The Strange Case Of..., released in 2012 by , expands upon the standard 12-track album by incorporating three additional bonus tracks, resulting in a total of 15 songs. These include "Don't Know How to Stop" (3:00); "Hate It When You See Me Cry" (3:12), written by ; and "Private Parts" (3:59), featuring guest vocals from of Sixx:A.M. and co-written by Hale and Michael. This edition is presented in a digipak format with an expanded 12-page booklet containing , credits, and artwork, distinguishing it from the standard jewel case packaging that features an 8-page booklet. Digital versions of the deluxe edition, available through platforms like and , mirror this track configuration without physical packaging differences. In 2013, Atlantic issued a reissue of the album that appended "Here's to Us (Guest Version)" (3:15) as a bonus track to the standard edition, elevating the total to 13 tracks. This remix features guitar by Slash and vocals from (Shinedown), (Alter Bridge), (Sixx:A.M.), Tyler Connolly (Theory of a Deadman), David Draiman (Disturbed/Device), and (In This Moment), alongside the core band members. The reissue maintains the original jewel case packaging but was also released in digipak form as an updated deluxe variant including the prior three bonus tracks plus this new addition, for a total of 16 songs. The Japanese edition, released in 2012 via Warner Music , aligns closely with the deluxe configuration, offering the 15 tracks in a standard jewel case with region-specific obi strip and booklet translated for the market. No unique bonus tracks beyond the deluxe additions were included in this version.

Hello, It's Mz. Hyde EP

Overview

The "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" EP by the American band was released on January 24, 2012, serving as a promotional teaser ahead of their second studio album, The Strange Case Of.... Titled to spotlight the "Mz. Hyde" of lead vocalist , the EP introduces this character as a representation of her dual onstage and offstage personas, aligning with the album's overarching theme of and duality inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Produced by , the EP contains four tracks from the upcoming album with a total runtime of 13 minutes, distributed mainly via digital platforms such as and streaming services, with limited physical promotional CDs issued in markets like the . The EP's artwork and packaging emphasize the duality motif, prominently featuring Lzzy Hale's "Mz. Hyde" to tie into the album's narrative. While the tracks later appeared on The Strange Case Of..., initial sales and streaming were modest, reflecting its focus on promotional value over commercial sales.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Love Bites (So Do I)", 3:11
2."Rock Show", Julian Emery, Jim Irvin3:19
3."Daughters of Darkness", Blair Daly3:55
4."Here's to Us", , 2:58
Total length: 13:23.

Personnel

Band members

The core lineup of Halestorm performed on The Strange Case Of..., with Lzzy Hale providing lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and piano on select tracks such as "In Your Room." Joe Hottinger contributed lead guitar and backing vocals throughout the album. Josh Smith handled bass guitar and backing vocals, while Arejay Hale played drums and percussion. All four band members were involved in the songwriting process for the majority of the tracks, drawing from collaborative sessions that shaped the album's hard rock sound. The album also includes contributions from guest musicians on certain songs.

Production and additional personnel

The production of The Strange Case Of... was overseen by , a Grammy-winning producer known for his work with rock acts including and . Engineering duties were handled by Mike Plotnikoff, who recorded the tracks at studios in , while managed the mixing to achieve the album's polished sound. John Ewing Jr. contributed engineering support throughout the process. The album was mastered by at Sterling Sound in , ensuring and clarity across its tracks. Guest contributions added notable flair to the record. On the reissue edition, Slash contributed guitar to "Here's to Us," enhancing the song's anthemic quality alongside other guests , , , , , and Tyler Connolly. Visual elements were crafted by art director David Jackson, with photography by Ross Halfin, capturing the band's intense energy in promotional imagery.

References

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