(Capitol)
Blind Melon formed in Los Angeles in 1990, released its eponymous debut in 1992, and rocketed to fame with the ubiquitous appearance on MTV of the single "No Rain" - remember the Bee Girl? In October, 1995, frontman and lead vocalist Shannon Hoon, 28, was dead of a drug overdose in a tour bus outside a New Orleans club. The cause of death was reported as an accidental drug overdose stemming from Hoon's years of heroin addiction although the killer here was listed as cocaine. Shannon left behind a longtime girlfriend, infant daughter, grief-stricken parents in the Indiana heartland, four bandmates, friends, fans, the debut album and Soup, the sophomore release.
The remaining band members plan to move on together with a new singer and new name. But, in laying Blind Melon to rest and in tribute to Shannon, the band has put together Nico, an album of Blind Melon rarities dedicated to the late singer's daughter. Nico is a retrospective including "Soul One", the first song ever written for the band and "Hell" and "Glitch", Shannon's last recordings. Their third album has special appeal to Blind Melon fans, of course, though folk rock fans may like it as well. Shannon's playfulness and style are still something very special. There are interesting versions of some previously released material
- "No Rain" appears here as a version that would not bring on the Bee Girl. For the most part the album is not lighthearted, with Shannon's death almost foreshadowed from the first track, a cover of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher." Hoon gives the lyrics and vocal a much lighter touch than the famous Steppenwolf version - whistling in the dark? "Soul One" is another melancholy track where Hoon sings of not having the chance to say goodbye. The most wrenching is the final track, "Letters From A Porcupine", sung by Shannon Hoon onto guitarist Christopher Thorn's answering machine tape. In mid-song, Hoon's voice is cut off as the tape beeps and ends.Nico is also an enhanced cd with lyrics, photos, concert footage, videos and interviews. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Musician's Assistance Program which helps those in the music industry recover from drug and alcohol addiction. This album and video documentary, Letters From A Porcupine, close the books on Blind Melon. Shannon Hoon now lives only in the music and the little girl he created. He is missed.
