Additional personnel: James Arthur Payne (vocals, guitar); Anthony Dagradi (flute); Brian Graber, Mark Mullins (trumpet); Karl Berger (vibraphone); Malcolm Burn.

Principally recorded at Fudge, New Orleans, Louisiana between January 19 and March 30, 1998.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: James Arthur Payne (vocals, guitar); Karl Berger , Malcolm Burn (strings, vibraphone); Anthony Dagrade (flute); Brian Graber (trumpet); Mark Mullins (trombone); Tom Drummond (synthesizer); Travis Aaron McNabb (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixers: Suzanne Kapa; Jack Joseph Puig; Malcolm Burn.

Recording information: Dreamland Records, Woodstock, NY (01/19/1998-04/30/1998); Fudge, New Orleans, LA (01/19/1998-04/30/1998).

Photographers: Nina Schultz; Katey Stewart.

Arranger: Karl Berger .

Better Than Ezra is the kind of band that knows how to go with the musical flow, using their chameleonic qualities to adapt to the changing musical times. They emerged in the wake of Nirvana as post-grunge rockers, full of bad-boy attitude and plangent guitars. On GARDEN they shift gears, embracing the rise of electronica with their newly expanded sonic palette. In place of the rockist beats and Cobainesque vocals and guitar, there's loads of atmospheric, almost trippy synth and a definite trip-hop influence in the rhythm section. Even the vocals are electronically processed on some tunes, for a more cutting-edge sound.

Producer (and Daniel Lanois cohort) Malcolm Burn is surely to thank for helping develop the sound here, which includes a guest horn section, string arrangements and plenty of non-electronic keyboard work (mostly by singer Kevin Griffin). Those who thought Better Than Ezra were just Nirvana wannabees will be presently surprised by the sonic left turn of HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?, while those who appreciated the band's musicality all along will have their faith confirmed.