REVIEW: Gin Blossoms, Outside Looking In - Best Of (A&M)
- Bob Gajarsky
Tempe, Arizona's Gin Blossoms provided a wonderful contrast to the grunge world of the early 1990s. Their Byrds-like guitar and harmonies offered a reason to be happy, rather than wallow in self-pity. And although they only had two proper full-length albums, their brief career is collected here on this greatest hits disc.
Despite early mis-perceptions, guitarist Doug Hopkins did NOT write all the band's material. The success of the first two Hopkins-penned tunes - "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" - may have spurred the erroneous reports. And while Hopkins had been replaced in the band before their first tour, wags wondered if the Blossoms would be able to duplicate the first disc's success - minus Hopkins, who had committed suicide.
The answer was an unconditional "maybe". Hits from the Empire soundtrack "'Til I Hear It From You" (co-written with fellow pop guru Marshall Crenshaw) and "Follow You Down" provided a strong ray of hope, but a weak 'complete' second disc provided a precursor to the band's downfall. Congratulations, I'm Sorry would prove to be the band's last effort.
Although the Blossoms will reunite for a New Year's Eve performance in Phoenix, there are no future plans for any more power-pop recordings from the Gin Blossoms. So, Outside Looking In will have to serve as a primer for those who never quite got the energy to purchase New Miserable Experience.
