Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too.

Overview
Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too is the only studio album by New Radicals, released October 20, 1998 on MCA and largely driven by Gregg Alexander’s songwriting and production. It spawned the enduring hit “You Get What You Give.” In later years, Rolling Stone labeled it one of the era’s notable one-album wonders. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_You%27ve_Been_Brainwashed_Too))

Recording History
The project was conceived as a largely studio-driven effort, with recording listed as taking place in 1993 and again in 1997–1998, produced by Gregg Alexander. Alexander assembled a wide roster of session players rather than a fixed band, and he has said most of the work involved calling in friends and colleagues to record demos that evolved into the album. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_You%27ve_Been_Brainwashed_Too)) The personnel includes Paul Gordon, Danielle Brisebois, Josh Freese, Greg Phillinganes, Paul Bushnell, Michael James, and Michael Bradford among others, with Alexander handling many lead parts. Mastering was done by Stephen Marcussen, with additional engineering notes pointing to Pro Tools work on some tracks. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_You%27ve_Been_Brainwashed_Too)) Although precise studio names aren’t consistently documented in public summaries, late-night sessions and a tight, additive approach to tracking are repeatedly noted in interviews and retrospectives. ([udiscovermusic.com](https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/new-radicals-maybe-youve-been-brainwashed-too-feature/?utm_source=openai))

Chart Performance & Recognition
In the United States, the album entered the Billboard 200 at 199 on the week of November 28, 1998, eventually peaking around 41 and spending 40 weeks on the chart; it was certified Platinum in the United States. In the United Kingdom it reached number 10, with further Top 40 presence across several European markets. The lead single “You Get What You Give” topped charts in Canada and New Zealand and reached the UK Top 5, while peaking around the US Hot 100. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_You%27ve_Been_Brainwashed_Too))

Cultural Impact & Legacy
Critics praised its adventurous blend of 70s-influenced soul and pop with social critique; Entertainment Weekly called the album filler-free, and Robert Christgau highlighted its songwriting prowess, while Rolling Stone later placed it high on its One-Album Wonders list. The album’s title track has been noted for its sly political edge, and the record is recognized for its influence on discussions of pop production rooted in social commentary. It has also been noted for samples and parallels, including a nod to XTC on the title track. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maybe_You%27ve_Been_Brainwashed_Too))