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Avg: 4.0 (144 ratings)
- Date Released: August 8, 2006
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Alternative
- Label: Hybrid Recordings
New Wonderful Experience
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We Say...
Exactly 14 summers ago Arizona's Gin Blossoms released New Miserable Experience, eventually going multiplatinum on the strength of timeless powerpop anthems "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You." A so-so follow-up (not to mention the alcohol- and depression-fueled exit of their principle songwriter), however, led to a subsequent split in '97. Now, after a 2002 reunion, comes Major Lodge Victory. Against all odds it's a worthy successor to NME, evoking that album's twinned vibe of ecstasy and melancholy.
Guitarist Jesse Valenzuela takes on the lion's share of the writing — admittedly, he's abetted by a song doctor, the Rembrandts' Danny Wilde — in particular serving up the spirited, Beatlesque first single "Learning the Hard Way" and "Long Time Gone" (which contains striking "Found Out…" overtones). Vocalist Robin Wilson's jangly thumper "Come On Hard" also joins the ranks of classic Blossoms compositions. And with Wilson's honey-throated warble still as much a band trademark as the jangles, the album sounds familiar and fresh — the feel-good hit of the '06 summer. -
They Say...
The Gin Blossoms quietly faded away after their second album Congratulations...I'm Sorry, which went into the Top Ten upon its release in 1996 largely on the strength of the record's lead single "Follow You Down," which also reached the Top Ten. Successful though they may have been, the group was still reeling from the loss of founder/guitarist/songwriter Doug Hopkins, who departed the band shortly after the 1993 release of their major-label debut, New Miserable Experience, and then committed suicide not long after that. Any band would have a hard time dealing with that, but add the sudden massive success of the debut to the mix, and it's not surprising that the group weren't able to keep going past their second record: there was too much stress to process. Nevertheless, their disbandment seemed like an abrupt ending for a group that seemed destined to be journeymen, turning out solid records every two to three years as they steadily toured the U.S. And that's why their 2006 reunion album Major Lodge Victory feels natural: they're picking up where they left off and continuing on as if nothing has changed. Major Lodge Victory sounds as if it could have appeared in 1997 as the successor to Congratulations; it has the same friendly, relaxed feel as the Gin Blossoms' hits, equal parts power pop, post-REM jangle pop, and mainstream polish. It also suffers from the same problems as Congratulations, particularly in how it's more pleasant than memorable, as the songs all ease into the next without any great change in attitude, feel, or even tempo. A few songs do manage to stand out -- Jesse Valenzuela's "Learning the Hard Way" is a good approximation of the vibe of "Follow You Down"; "Heart Shaped Locket" and "Long Time Gone" (both co-written with the Rembrandts' Danny Wilde) are bright, lively, and jangly worthy heirs to "Found Out About You" and help give this album a center, since they sound like adult alternative hits from the late '90s, offering a reminder of why the Gin Blossoms were radio staples during that time. Anybody who has longed to return to that sound, or longed to hear a new Gin Blossoms record, will find this one satisfying.
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| 01. |  |
Learning the Hard Way |
4:09 |
|
| 02. | |
Come on Hard |
4:10 |
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| 03. | |
Someday Soon |
4:41 |
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| 04. | |
Heart Shaped Locket |
3:49 |
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| 05. | |
The End of the World |
4:05 |
|
| 06. | |
Long Time Gone |
3:49 |
|
| 07. | |
Super Girl |
4:57 |
|
| 08. | |
Let's Play Two |
3:03 |
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| 09. | |
Curious Thing |
4:12 |
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| 10. | |
Jet Black Sunrise |
4:13 |
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| 11. | |
Fool for the Taking |
3:46 |
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| 12. | |
California Sun |
4:05 |
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12 Total Tracks, 48:59 Total Length
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Credits
- Danny Wilde - Vocals (Background) // Danny Wilde - Producer // Danny Wilde - Engineer // Danny Wilde - Mixing // John Hampton - Producer // John Hampton - Engineer // Jesse Valenzuela - Guitar (Acoustic) // Jesse Valenzuela - Guitar (Electric) // Jesse Valenzuela - Keyboards // Jesse Valenzuela - Vocals // Jesse Valenzuela - Producer // Jesse Valenzuela - Mixing // Jesse Valenzuela - Group Member // Bill Leen - Bass // Bill Leen - Guitar // Bill Leen - Vocals // Bill Leen - Group Member // David Zeman - Keyboards // Vic Anesini - Mastering // Rick Steff - Piano // Rick Steff - Organ (Hammond) // Rick Steff - Wurlitzer // Scotty Johnson - Guitar (Acoustic) // Scotty Johnson - Guitar (Electric) // Scotty Johnson - Vocals // Scotty Johnson - Group Member // Al Cafaro - Executive Producer // Dorian Crozier - Drums // Curry Weber - Assistant Engineer
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