Gin Blossoms Albums (4)
What The Critics 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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Congratulations...I'm Sorry'
Release Date 2/13/1996
Tracks 13
Label A&M
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Most observers wondered if the Gin Blossoms would be able to deliver a consistent second album after the departure (and subsequent suicide) of Doug Hopkins, their former guitarist who wrote "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You," the two big hits from the band's debut. Congratulations...I'm Sorry proves that they can. The Gin Blossoms haven't backed away from the sound that made New Miserable Experience a hit. It's filled with chiming guitars, sweet melodies, and simple, catchy hooks, as well as a sturdy grasp of traditional pop/rock songwriting that results in a number of gems. The only fault of Congratulations...I'm Sorry is that it sounds a bit too close to the debut -- there's virtually no difference in terms of style and production. As such, it builds a case for their craftsmanship. The Gin Blossoms may not have much new to say, but they say it well throughout Congratulations...I'm Sorry. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Gin Blossoms were one of the more truly damned rock & roll bands to grace the pop charts in the 1990s. The group was founded and spiritually led by singer-guitarist Doug Hopkins, who also wrote the band's best songs; however, by the time New Miserable Experience marked the band's major-label debut in 1992, Hopkins had been kicked out (his bandmates had apparently tired of dealing with his alcoholism). Hopkins killed himself shortly thereafter, and the band later enjoyed the biggest hit of its career with "'Til I Hear It From You" (which, perversely, never appeared on a Gin Blossoms album, but only on the Empire Records soundtrack -- and was written by outside writer Marshall Crenshaw to boot). The band dropped from sight not long after. Released during the heyday of grunge music, New Miserable Experience remains the best and most representative document of the group's existence, a tight and lean collection of brilliant, edgy pop music that was markedly different from the bulk of 1992's modern rock albums. "Hey Jealousy" and "Until I Fall Away" are the two songs that leave the deepest impression -- and, appropriatedly, both were successful singles -- but the crunchy melodicism and lyrical desperation of "Hold Me Down" is similarly notable. Two dilettantish genre pieces -- "Cajun Song" and a country weeper called "Cheatin'" (as in "you can't call it cheatin' 'cause she reminds me of you") -- provide the program's two low points, but even those aren't completely without charm. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
