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A fair review of the Gin Blossoms "Congratulations...I'm Sorry" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Gin Blossoms reviews here, or go back to the Gin Blossoms tabs.
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Band: Gin Blossoms Title: Congratulations...I'm Sorry Rating:  Release Date: 1996-02-13 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Day Job 2: Highwire 3: Follow You Down 4: Not Only Numb 5: As Long as It Matters 6: Perfectly Still 7: 7th Inning Stretch 8: My Car 9: Virginia 10: Whitewash 11: I Can't Figure You Out 12: Memphis Time 13: Competition Smile |
Because of the enormity of that first album, the Blossoms were not given a fair chance with "Congratulations I'm Sorry," their sophmore release. The only problem with debuting with an outstanding album like "New Miserable Experience" is having to come up with a great second one. Unfortunately, it would be their last for 10 years.
However, years later without all the hype of that first album, you should take a step back and review "Congratualtions I'm Sorry" for what it is. . . not a follow-up to "New Miserable Experience" but an entity all its own.
It has some of the Blossoms greatest introspective songs and outstanding melodies. Even though this album has been discontinued by the manufacturer (another clue that this album and band has been disrespected by the men in suits), pick it up when you find it and judge for yourself. It's a shame that the Gin Blossoms were not more respected, but thank God for miracles. They have reunited and rock better then ever.
Good Second Effort
Anyway, I was prepared to be disappointed by "Congratulations, I'm Sorry. The more I listened to New Miserable Experience the more I was convinced that it was one of the greatest records ever made, at least one of the greatest debuts ever (I know it wasn't actually their first, but officially it was). " I was, but not so much. At first, I only liked one or two songs. But over the years the c. d. grew on me. It lacks the intensity and the pain that Doug Hopkins displayed on NME but it still has most of the elements of the first one. It's got the same sound, just not as "driving and biting" as the first. My favorites are "Follow You Down," which got a lot of airplay, "Not Only Numb," and "As Long As It Matters. " IMO, "As Long As It Matters" is the best song on the c. d. and sounds most like something off of NME. Unfortunately, I've seen the Gin Blossoms (4) times and they've never played this song in concert. Anyway, the one disappointment is that " 'Til I Hear It From You" is not on here, and but was released about the same time for a movie soundtrack. If you liked the first one you will like this one as well. .
Great Band, Great Album
Every track is a winner!
I had a friend who for a whole year of High School was trying to "Unload" this album on me, which I constantly refused. This album actually surpasses "New Miserable Experience" in terms of cohesiveness and production. He wanted to give it away, but I figured it must be realy bad if it's free. Man, was I wrong.
Right from the beginning the upbeat, yet introspective "Day Job" and "Highwire" get your toes tapping. Of course the album has it's radio hit "Follow You Down", but even "Memphis Time" which moves into classic country music territory is enjoyable.
A great album and worth more than the mere penny people are asking, which is 1 cent more than I had to pay for it. Lucky me.
Seems Like a Century Ago Instead of a Decade
Somebody just bought this one and I listened to it while ripping and, though it's only a decade old, the guitars, harmonies and tired, as in physically, yearning vocals make the GBs sound like something out of the early sixties. I'm converting all my CDs to computer and selling off the CDs. I actually liked it better on this hearing than the last time I played it -- and that's been years. Highlights: Day Job, My Car, I Can't Figure You Out, and Competition Smile. .
Decent second album (3.5 stars)
The Gin Blossoms released their second album, Congratulations. . I'm Sorry, in 1996. This was made during a troubling time for the band as they not only had to follow up their very successful debut, New Miserable Experience, but they also had to do this without one of their chief songwriters, guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was dismissed from the band and would later commit suicide. Their first single, the catchy "Follow You Down", along with the non-album track, "Until I Hear It from You", showed promise as it became a double-sided Top 10 hit. Unfortunately, the album is a bit of a disappointment as it plays like a collection of decent to very good songs that don't grab your attention, even after repeated listenings.
The album starts out strong as "Day Job" is a great rocker while "Highwire" and the aforementioned "Follow You Down" are both very good. After this, the album is solid but not spectacular with the best tracks being "Virginia", "I Can't Figure You Out", and the pretty ballad "As Long As It Matters. " Other tracks like "My Car", "Perfectly Still", "Competition Smile", and "Not Only Numb" are decent but don't contain the hooks or the passion that made New Miserable Experience so great. All told, while there's nothing bad on Congratulations. . . I'm Sorry, only the first three songs are on the level of their debut. The band's latest release, Major Lodge Victory, is a return to form as the catchy melodies from their heyday return.
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You can see a complete list of all Gin Blossoms discography, or go back to the Gin Blossoms tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.