Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three has often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different; instead, Seven Mary Three offers songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia, the group was signed to the Mammoth label after its first single, Cumbersome, was played on a Florida radio station and generated a huge response. Their debut album, American Standard, was released in 1995; Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide