"Bubblegum" was favorably reviewed by critics and remains Lanegan's most commercially successful release to date, reaching number 39 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.The album was recorded at various locations from 2003–2004, including Rancho De La Luna (Joshua Tree, California), Donner & Blitzen (Arcadia), 11 a.d. (Hollywood), Del Boca Vista (South Pasadena), Sound City (Los Angeles), Stagg Street (Los Angeles), Lethal (Los Angeles), Sound Arts (Houston, Texas), and Kudzu Ranch (Mebane, North Carolina).