Blurring the Edges

In 1986, Brooks released her self-titled debut studio album; released exclusively in Europe, the album received minimal recognition.^[3] The following year, Brooks formed the pop rock band the Graces, alongside Charlotte Caffey and Gia Ciambotti, who experienced moderate success with their 1989 single "Lay Down Your Arms".^[4] Disenchanted by the music industry due to the rise in success of the grunge genre, Brooks exited the group in 1991 and temporarily retired as a recording artist. Brooks explained: "I was really bored with music, to a point, during the grunge period ... I wasn't interested in being necessarily a part of that, and I wasn't finding a lot of interest for what I was writing about."^[5] However, Brooks eventually became re-inspired to go against this prevailing trend in rock music and write songs with a more positive message. Brooks began writing music with her friend, Shelly Peiken, which resulted in a song titled "Bitch".^[4] In 1995, Brooks signed to Capitol Records after her manager, Lori Leve, played "Bitch" for the record label's vice president of A&R, Perry Watts-Russell.^[6]

The entirety of the album—sans "Bitch"—was recorded at the Salt Mines and Alpha Studios in Hollywood and Burbank, respectively, and produced by David Ricketts. "Bitch" was recorded at City Lab Sound Design in Hollywood, whilst production on the track was helmed by Geza X.^[7] Influenced by guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Lindsey Buckingham, and James Honeyman-Scott, Brooks set out to play lead guitar throughout the entirety of the album.^[8][5] Brooks claimed that Chrissie Hynde was the album's strongest influence and that she was fearful people would view Blurring the Edges as an imitation of Hynde's work.^[8] Brooks cited "Pollyanne," a song about expressing positivity when faced with a cynical partner, as most illustrative of her mindset at the time of writing the album.^[9]

Brooks described the overall theme of the album as about resurrection.^[10] "My Little Town" was inspired by Brooks' experience growing up and moving away from her hometown of Corvallis, Oregon.^[11] "Shatter" has a theme of nonconformity, which was inspired by Brooks' efforts to create a record that aligns with her own vision and to not give in to pressures by music industry officials.^[12]

Blurring the Edges was first released on May 6, 1997 in the United States. Promotion for the album began in April 1997, where Brooks performed across the country at small venues to introduce herself to new audiences. The vice president of marketing at Capitol Records, Steve Rosenblatt, explained: "We're going to send [Brooks] around the country and set up little events where it'll just be Meredith and her music, where she can talk to people and talk about her songs, and then play her songs in a very intimate setting."^[5] To further promote the album, Brooks embarked on a month-long tour that commenced on August 3 in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. This tour included several stops at the Lilith Fair tour.^[13] A recorded performance of "Wash My Hands" was later included on the live album Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music (1998).^[14] In September 1997, Brooks opened for the MTV Video Music Awards through a webcast.^[15] This performance marked the first ever multi-camera webcast and was the first time MTV live streamed audio and video.^[12] In July 1997, Brooks paid promotional visits to the United Kingdom and Germany, with further performances throughout Europe in September.^[16] In 1998, Brooks was an opening act for the Rolling Stones on their Bridges to Babylon Tour. After playing two songs from her ten-song set, the crowd began to boo and threw bottles, batteries, and coins at her.^[17]

"Wash My Hands" was intended as the lead single from the album, before it was replaced with "Bitch".^[18]

On January 20, 2023, an expanded edition of Blurring the Edges was released in celebration of the album's 25th anniversary.^[19]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[20]
Christgau's Consumer Guide	[21]
Entertainment Weekly	B+[22]
The Guardian	[23]
Los Angeles Times	[24]
Music Week	[25]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic compared Brooks to Alanis Morissette, stating that "Blurring the Edges isn't necessarily a bad album -- Brooks is a competent melodicist and her lyrics are occasionally promising -- yet it isn't a distinctive one."^[20] Steven Mirkin of Entertainment Weekly similarly noted that the album touches on familiar material, specifically comparing it to Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club (1993). However, Mirkin went on to praise the album as "leavened with hooks and humor and a refreshing, unself-conscious swagger."^[22] In a more critical review, Paul Verna of Billboard referred to Brooks as an Alanis Morissette imitator, commenting that "[Brooks'] ample writing and performing talents are underserved by her tendency to follow rather than lead."^[26]

Mala Mortensa of Alternative Press noted "Bitch" as a highlight from the album. She further discussed the album's influence, stating, "[t]he alt-rock showcase was a stunning showcase of the 'bad bitch' mentality that largely defines the alternative scene. No doubt, [Brooks'] fiery energy has inspired many aspiring women to date."^[27]

In the United States, Blurring the Edges debuted at number 25 on the US Billboard 200 for the chart dated May 24, 1997. The album reached its peak position of number 22 the following week and ultimately spent 47 weeks on the chart, with its final appearance being on the chart dated April 11, 1998.^[28] On the year-end chart for 1997, Blurring the Edges reached a position of number 83.^[29] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album Platinum, which denotes one million album-equivalent units.^[30]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Blurring the Edges.^[7]