The Gin Blossoms - Outside Looking In: The Best Of Gin Blossoms Audio CD
A fair review of the The Gin Blossoms "Outside Looking In: The Best Of Gin Blossoms" 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
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Found Out About Them As one of the many 90's bands that appeared in the jangle-pop rush after R. For a band that only made two complete albums in their heyday, the Gin Blossoms still have an awesome legacy. E. M. made the world safe for these groups, "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" seemed omnipresent and New Miserable Experience became a best seller. The band seemed to effortlessly combine the guitar of The Byrds with a rootsy sense of rocking.
The effortlessness camouflaged serious issues in the band; chief writer Doug Hopkins' depression and drinking (which fed into the darkness's of the band's best lyrics) drove him to quit the band and ultimately commit suicide. While his songwriting was missed on the follow-up album, Congratulations. . . I'm Sorry still had the hit "Follow You Down" and the snarky "Day Job" to show the Gin Blossoms might survive without him. But that was it, and the band folded soon after.
"Outside Looking In" splits the albums and adds a soundtrack fave, "Til I Hear it From You," from the Empire Records Soundtrack. There's also a previously unreleased live track. "Whitewash. " It's all the good stuff and a fine overview of a band that could have been contenders. .
The best of the best
It is the one of my favorites. I love this CD. It is a great traveling CD when I am on the road!.
Good compilation
I didn't think the Gin Blossoms were all that popular, but I knew every song! Great for my MP3 rotation.
What happened to popculture??
It looks like others agree that this music brings back major memories for the 20-somethin crowd around here. . No joke, if you grew up in the 90's you are going to feel seriously depressed (in a good way though! haha). . . Modern music just cant touch this. These guys along with greenday, pearl jam and the offspring were the reason the 90's kicked ***.
Highly recommended album. . . although just beware that it will make you feel kinda sad about the direction music and popculture has gone these days. . .
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A nice trip down memory lane
The Gin Blossoms immediately conjured up fond memories of my post high school/early college years. I was perusing the cd racks last weekend at my local public library when I stumbled upon "Outside Looking In: The Best of The Gin Blossoms". I was in on the band long before "Hey Jealousy" became a huge smash for the band. So nostalgic for the past, I checked out the cd. I almost forgot just how catchy the band's music was. They were candy for my ears. The band really had a knack for cracking out one catchy pop/rock song after another. Sure the band had a few misses too. I never liked "Mrs. Rita". That has always been my least favorite Gin Blossom song because it is so devoid of a good pop hook. I was so pleased that the band included my personal favorite songs "Cajun Song" and "Until I Fall Away" (which I always liked more than the overplayed "Hey Jealousy"). I'm glad I picked up "Outside Looking In". It brought back memories of life that was simpler (and devoid of bills and rent).
You can see a complete list of all The Gin Blossoms discography, or go back to the The Gin Blossoms tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.