New Gin Blossoms Album: Recommended
My wife and I listened to most of the new Gin Blossoms album on the way back from dinner last night.
It’s surprisingly strong. It’s tough to assess an album after just one listen, but I can safely say that I recommend it.
It took them 10 years to get this out, so you’d think they could pick some strong songs, and they have. The songs have excellent harmonies and interesting chord changes. It’s not your typical three-chord junk.
Definitely worth the money if you’re a fan. If you’re not, maybe this will make you one.
“3-chord junk”?
I resemble that remark! deeply offended.
I find your lack of faith disturbing, Admiral Frey.
give me three chords and I can rule the world.
C-F-G, G-D-C, E-A-B, whatever.
give me four or five chords and a trusty capo, and I would rule the galaxy:
D-Bm-G-D-Bm-A-Fmaj-B-G-A-D!!!!
Mike D (500ab8) — 10/23/2006 @ 11:25 amI’ve seen the Gin Blossoms play several times.
The reason they fell apart after their disappointing second album in ’96 is that their best, most accomplished songwriter, Doug Hopkins, committed suicide in December 1993, just as their debut album, ‘New Miserable Experience,’ was peaking on radio.
In fact, Hopkins was actually kicked out of the band in ’92 BEFORE their debut album was released, due to his dependence on alcohol.
I’ve heard a couple of songs from the new album.
But I just prefer Hopkins’ songs, and I think he was the group’s meal ticket.
They remain an excellent live band.
With some bands, when you go to a show, you find that the vocalist doesn’t sound quite as good on stage as he does with the magic of the recording studio.
However, that is not the case with Gin Blossoms’ vocalist Robin Wilson—he’s awesome in concert.
[Agreed. I also like Hopkins’s songs. “Pieces of the Night” and “Found Out About You” will probably always be their best songs. But I thought the second album had some good stuff (“As Long As It Matters”) that reminded me of the Rembrandts, another band I like a lot. And this latest album is excellent. They still do fine without Doug Hopkins. — P]
Desert Rat (ee9fe2) — 10/23/2006 @ 11:48 amListening to “Lost Horizons”, the first Track of the aforementioned New Miserable Experience right now.
a great album for the most part. Not every song is a killer/keeper, but i’d say it goes 7 or 8 songs deep, which is above average, imho, for a debut album. I mean, it’s not Never Mind the Bullocks, or the Pretenders, or Appetite for Destruction, or Van Halen 1, or even but it’s a very good first offering. great for the driving up and down the coast road with the top down, or up for that matter.
Mike D (500ab8) — 10/23/2006 @ 12:42 pmI had not known they had a new one out. Back in the day, “Hey Jealousy” had the sound of an instant classic by a one-hit wonder, so I was pleasantly surprised when their whole first and second albums were stocked with solid songs. I’ll have to buy this one.
Crank (3fed2a) — 10/23/2006 @ 6:31 pmThey were a victim of the industry; their second album received little support, despite the fact the first went multi-platinum. Grunge and pseudo-metal ruled the day, and the label didn’t push them enough. Great band, and I hope to pick up the new one soon.
mmm...lemonheads (efb843) — 10/24/2006 @ 11:55 amAnd if you like the Blossoms, check out Del Amitri. Cool pop sensibility and good hooks. First album is the best but hard to find.
mmm...lemonheads (efb843) — 10/24/2006 @ 11:59 amMike D beat me to it. Btw, how does he find the time to comment here, what with being so busy destroying hotel rooms with MCA and Adrock?
Anyway, AC/DC should be in the Hall of Fame just for the fact that they’ve made a whole career writing songs with the same four chords. Do you know how hard that is?
CraigC (9cd021) — 10/24/2006 @ 9:49 pm