Customer Reviews

Major Lodge Victory

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ten years after their last album Congratulations I'm Sorry, alt rock popsters Gin Blossoms return with their new studio release Major Lodge Victory. Somehow recreating the magic that brought them such success in the 90s, the Blossoms a breezy summer sound with a sound addictive enough to stay in your CD player for a good long while.

As with any Gin Blossoms album you have the melodic uptempo rockers destined to be singles. The galloping opener and first single "Learning the Hard Way" kicks off the album with infectious layered harmonies, "Come On Hard" is an entertaining track with a fast picked guitar melody, "Long Time Gone" is addictive, and "Let's Play Two" has a melody that will stick in your head for a while. "Fool for the Taking" is another sure single fitting perfectly into the band's formula.

Of course you can't have a Gin Blossoms record without the mid-tempo rockers like "Heart Shaped Locket" and "Curious Thing," which deliver strong rhythm guitar chords, layered harmonies, and a sing-a-long vibe. "Someday Soon" slows the pace down with its gentle harmonies and Robin Wilson's strong vocals. "Heart Shaped Locket" is a nice song to sing along to, but its bubble-gum lyrics sap a bit of strength from an otherwise nice melody. "The End of the World" is a beatle-esque ballad while closing track "California Sun" ends the record on a nice note.

If you are a Gin Blossoms fan from back in the day, you need to pick up this album. Like previous records there are few stylistic departures from the overall sound, making the album pretty homogenous, but the band's sound and songwriting fill the 10 year void since the last album. This is an album of enjoyable pop that deserves attention. For anyone new to the band, this record may not be a classic, but its infectious pop is perfect for a hot summer at the beach or a long car ride. Recommended.

A.G. Corwin
St Louis, MO

All I say is nice nice VERY nice!!! Having Danny Wilde present on the album is a VERY good thing, as Danny is a powerpop master, and their styles compliment each other awesomely. More on that later, but first a little history...

Two of my fave bands are essentially 2 sides of the same coin: the Gin Blossoms and the Refreshments. Both bands are from Tempe, AZ, and have roots in the same breezy southwestern rock & roll sound. The Refreshments are now Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and they take that sound into more of a twangy, alt-country, Springsteen & Mexican-influenced direction, with killer shows and amazing records like the powerpoppy 2004 release "Americano!". The Gin Blossoms, however, take that sound into classic, harmony-drenched powerpop, which is just incredible. YET, their live shows are looser, totally fun and much more chaotic rock & roll, whilst never losing sight of the tunefulness of their songs.

The GBs got together in the mid-to-late 80s and released their first album "Dusted" independently, on vinyl only on the tiny San Jacinto label. Jesse Valenzuela was their original lead singer at the time too, which changed over time. They then gigged heavily over the next few years, built up a following, and after a victorious SXSW gig, won a deal with A&M. They recorded a botched debut for the label in 1990 with Albhy Galuten in LA, probably after his work on Jellyfish's AWESOME debut "Bellybutton" (the GB's powerpop roots and musical preferences are completely evident here...I wonder if any copies of this record have surfaced as bootlegs??), then regrouped and recorded the "Up & Crumbling" EP and then 1992's masterful, desert-island-worthy "New Miserable Experience" (deservedly reissued 10 years later as a 2CD deluxe edition). Doug Hopkins was unfortunately fired due to his alcoholism and depression, as the band probably felt he was bringing them down with him like a sinking ship...he then was so bummed as they had hits with his songs, understandably so, they had a big blowup and he then committed suicide, sad, but, gotta move on right???

Well, after touring relentlessly for NME, and radio catching on to their sound 1-2 years after it's release, generating 4 late-blooming hits (the powerpop classics "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Until I Fall Away" and "Allison Road"), kept a followup from happening anytime soon. "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" finally appeared in 1996, generating 4 more hits (the soundtrack cut "Until I Hear It From You" written by Jesse Valenzuela with powerpop master Marshall Crenshaw, "Follow You Down", "Day Job" and "As Long As It Matters"), but the fatigue set in along with pressures from the label and desire to pursue other projects, so the band temporarily "broke up", probably partially to get out of their A&M contract. So, the label put out a half-hearted but acceptable hits collection in 1997.

The band then did other things, and some side projects emerged, Robin's + Phil's band the Pharaos 2000, who later became the Gas Giants and released their one great album "From Beyond The Back Burner" on the short-lived Atomic Pop label. Jesse became an outside songwriter and collaborated with people like Phoenix, AZ resident Stevie Nicks and released his wonderful debut solo album "Tunes Young People Will Enjoy", which is anything but a "kid's" album. Robin opened Mayberry Studios and Bill became a rare book dealer. Robin then fulfilled a dream, and did an album for a fictional cartoon band The Poppin' Wheelies, with cool artwork, pure powerpop tunes that Robin mostly wrote himself, along with 3 songs by powerpop master Tommy Keene, including his classic "Places That Are Gone". Jesse then collaborated with the Odds' Craig Northey under the name National Park, which evolved into the simpler-named Northey Valenzuela and released a self-titled album in 2006 on Universal's label The Lab via Fuel 2000. Oh yeah, and Scotty Johnson joined Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, played loads of gigs with them, and appeared on their first 3 albums, 1999's "Honky Tonk Union", 2000's "Real To Reel" live album, and 2002's "Sonoran Hope & Madness". He then left the band, why??? To rejoin the reunited Gin Blossoms, that's why!!!

Well, after reuniting and gigging for the past 4 years, the reunited Gin Blossoms, minus drummer Phil Rhodes, released a new album, their first in 10 looooong years, "Major Lodge Victory" on the small Hybrid label, and it's frikking AWESOME!!!!! 12 tracks of all killer, no filler, 45 minutes of substantial, harmony-drenched powerpop greatness. The band is in fine form, and Robin's in great voice. The tunes are gems, ALL of them, and the guys have stories to tell since they've been gone a decade, as you would expect. Yes, you can tell it's them, but "Major Lodge Victory" is no carbon copy of NME, and I woouldn't expect it to be. If it was, I would have been SERIOUSLY disappointed!!! I heard one big difference, and that is the presence of Danny Wilde, from the Rembrandts. In the songwriting and background harmonies, I think that's really cool, as I am a BIG Danny Wilde fan, and hearing this new GB record, sometimes I can't tell if I'm hearing the Gin Blossoms or Danny/the Rembrandts, and I don't mind at all. All in all, they've collaborated with powerpop people over the years, like Marshall Crenshaw, Tommy Keene, and now Danny. Just proves my instincts about Danny Wilde were all on the mark.

Now, the tunes...all gems. But if I have to pick fave tunes, 2 would have to be "Supergirl" and "Heart Shaped Locket", which is almost like a better "Stacy's Mom".

Looking forward to the next tour!!!!

For God's sake, BUY THIS CD!! :)

Those of us who've been fans for years have been waiting for this ever since 2000 and the rumors that they were coming back together. I've got to say that I'm definitely not disappointed with their latest effort.

These are all songs in the classic Gin Blossoms, pop, jangly, hook-laden style. The real standouts on the album are "Learning the Hard Way", "Come On Hard", "Someday Soon", and "Super Girl".

The reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because of certain songs like "Let's Play Two" and "The End of the World", which sound to me like filler put in there to flesh out the CD.

For those who are new to the Gin Blossoms (i.e., you were either not old enough to listen to the radio in 1993 or living on a deserted island from then until 1998), think of Fountains of Wayne, with a little more harmony (and I also like Fountains of Wayne, so that's no insult).

A+++!!

The good news about this album is that if you liked Gin Blossoms before, you'll greatly enjoy this release. There are hooks aplenty, lots of jangly pop-rock guitar, and one melodious mid-tempo rocker after another. Just like old times. This cd sounds like the logical follow-up to "Congratulations I'm Sorry" as if that album was released just last year.

And that's where there is bad news, if you want to consider it as such. After such a long layoff, you might think the band's sound had matured or they had something revelatory to say. Nope! But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Personally I loved their old sound and this is simply more of a good thing. While there aren't any brilliant moments like there were on "New Miserable Experience" and the sound and production is definitely old style, the new cd delivers exactly what we fans want and expect.

Not every band or every cd has to be groundbreaking or life-changing. Gin Blossoms had a great sound that coupled mournful lyrics with catchy pop tunes. I'm thrilled to have the band back just like they were before!

You've heard it before. It's exactly what you would expect from the Gin Blossoms, which is why it's so great. This is like catching up with an old friend from your hometown. It isn't going to challenge you like "American Idiot," but it's familiar - unlike the new Guster album which, while good, takes until at least the 4th track before it sounds familiar.

If you thought the Gas Giants was alright, but still didn't quite have that spark of life, and if you thought the Poppin' Wheelies was just silly, and you were thinking it was all over for the talent that was once in this band, you were wrong. Major Lodge Victory sends you right back ten years, but still feels current. It says "Hey, remember that time? Yeah, that was good. What're you up to now? This is what I'm up to!"

It's comforting, it rocks, and it's still got all the same heart they always did. Maybe even better now because they all looked around, tried other things, and decided to come back to what they loved and what they were best at.

Can't recommend this album enough.

I have been waiting for this album for years. The thing is, I have had guarded expectations, given how long it took for them to get this together, I started to believe some of the critics that Doug Hopkins was the heart and soul of the group. This album proves that isn't the case. I think this album rivals New Miserable Experience in creativity and quality, which is hard to do given that NME was such a great album. Congrats to the boys on a wonderful comeback. I will continue to lobby local stations to spin this thing.

The Gin Blossom's story will always revolve around the contributions, firing and suicide of founder Doug Hopkins. He wrote six of the 12 songs on the band's major-label debut, "New Miserable Experience," including the album's big hits, "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You." The remaining Blossoms, particularly guitarist Jesse Valenzuela and vocalist Robin Wilson, dispelled the conventional wisdom that any subsequent effort would suffer irreparably without Hopkins. "Congratulations, I'm Sorry," the follow up, did not quite measure up to its predecessor, but it was a strong album which again showcased the band's strong points: catchy, hook and angst-filled songs, tight playing and Wilson's heartbreaking voice. Ironically, in my opinion, anyway, the most engaging songs on the two albums were Wilson contributions, "Allison Road," and "Competition Smile."

Now, after a 10-year hiatus, the Blossoms, sans drummer Phillip Rhodes, are back with "Major Lodge Victory." It is vintage Blossoms, but something is missing. What is lacking is the superlative songwriting that marked the band's halcyon days of the early and mid 90s. "Heart Shaped Locket," "Super Girl" and "Curious Thing" come close, but just. In another irony, the best song on the album, again, in my opinion, is "Jet Black Sunrise," which was written by bassist Bill Leen.

Even though the production team and studio facility are the same as on the 90s hits, the sound is different. Not as punchy. I don't know if it is age, but Wilson's voice, always Gin Blossoms' strong point, sounds thinner and without the conviction of the earlier work.

But the band is back, and I hope it stays around this time. There ain't nothing wrong with a good three-minute pop song, and these guys are masters.

Hey there, did you know Gin Blossoms is back with a really solid new release? No? Me either! And I live in Tempe, AZ, which is where they're from. For some reason, this perfectly-good album is getting little to no exposure. I just sort of stumbled on it. So congrats to finding this album!

That said, "Major Lodge Victory" is quite good. I was pleasantly surprised listening to all 12 songs. They're all consistently good - no really awful must-skip tracks on here. Just a lot of good upbeat catchy songs here. I would throw this in the genre of "Power Pop".

It sort of reminds me of Fountains Of Wayne breakout success "Welcome Interstate Managers". There's also some hints of another Arizona band, Jimmy Eat World. I'd also throw in a favorable comparison to another great band, the Jayhawks.

Overall, I think it's a very solid album, with lots of good catchy hooks. This is good pop/rock music. Definitely recommended.

Melodically spiked jangly guitars, great vocals and harmonies, pure rock and roll at its very finest. This is the music missing on mainstream radio & Top 40! The GIN BLOSSOMS never fail to ignite and transcend our expectations of favoured old time rock and roll redesigned to fit their unique and identifiable sound. Maintaining their own artistic integrety and sound, they simultaneously conjure up so many classic American bands from the past: The Grass Roots[that Rob Grill vocal influence], Paul Revere & The Raiders, Dwight Twilley & Phil Seymour, The Byrds, The Mamas & Papas, Raspberries, Beach Boys, Turtles, and Buddy Holly & Crickets among others - but this is the GIN BLOSSOMS, again, in an ever flowing river of their finest moments. Returning with a newfound and persistent confidence, the band's supreme creative forces excel at what they do best in the recording studio with twelve new tracks. Absolutely no duds on this recording. Magical perfection, no exceptions. It's been a long time and a long road back for this much loved, celebrated and lamented rock band, but, they carry on as though they never left nor missed a beat those many long years they were absent. It's almost like they actually HEARD their peers and fans say, "Come on back guys - WE LOVE YOU!", and yes, indeed we do! These guys can never fail as a band, it's their ultimate incarnation! Even on what some considered a "lesser" than adequate followup album to their brilliant "New Miserable Experience", their second, "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" remains a rough edged gem of an album. On the all new 2006, "MAJOR LODGE VICTORY" the Blossoms return triumphantly to reclaim their golden throne and they succeed at the competitive game. In a great and ultimately positive way, this new album seems to perfectly fit between the first two as the proper successor to their first album. It's what we never got but expected all along...they finally deliver! Whosoever negatively criticizes "MAJOR LODGE VICTORY" has simply forgotten what a joy GIN BLOSSOMS music has always been to listen to in the first place. It's the GIN BLOSSOMS as we knew and loved them all new all over again! Like Nirvana in their niche, The Gin Blossoms stand above many other bands within their respective niche in the sense they have redefined a proven and often tried sound they conquered and made their very own, resulting in a very much loved and celebrated band whose return is a refreshing welcome.

It finally hit me just how long it's been since the last New GB's release when I walked into my local record store this week to pick up "Major Lodge Victory". I asked the teenage employee if he had the new album and just got a blank stare. After repeating the name of the group twice, with no recognition, I found it myself. Yes-it has been ten years, but worth the wait!! I would rather it had been just a few years, but I'll take what I can get.
The new album is no "New Miserable Experience", but then again, very few albums are. That one has been firmly ensconced in my car's CD ten-pack sine the early 90's and will probably never leave. "Major Lodge Victory" is not nearly as edgy or hook-laden, but this is still a solid album from start to finish and a lot more cohesive than "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" (the group's second major-label release) That album, was by the way a good one ("Follow You Down", "Day Job" and "Competition Smile" were just some of the better cuts) but just seemed to suffer and pale in comparison to "New Miserable Experience". I hate to lay it on the "sophomore jinx", but maybe that was it. Robin Wilson's voice has become a little smoother over the years (maybe he has stopped chain smoking), but still just as good. Jesse Valenzuela's guitar playing is as fantastic as ever and the session drummer for this album is excellent(Scott Kusmirek). The writing is solid and shared amongst the group and outside sources-but I still long for the angst-ridden lyrics of Doug Hopkins (RIP). He had already pretty much succumbed to his inner demons by the time "New Miserable Experience" was released, but the songs he penned for that album ("Hey Jealousy", "Hold Me Down", "Lost Horizons", "Found Out About You" and "Pieces of the Night") made it a monster album and are still some of the best power-pop ballads ever written, in my opinion.
From this album,"Learning the Hard Way" is a prototypical Gin Blossoms cut and should do well on the airwaves if the radio stations give it a chance (The Seattle stations don't seem to be doing that at this time). Let's just hope that we don't have to wait for the one-year germination period and eventual re-release that "New Miserable Experience" had to go thru before it became the incredible success that it was. "The End of the World" seems like a logical second release with "Long Time Gone", "Super Girl", and "Fool for the Taking" following close behind. There's not a bad cut on the album, although there are a few more mellowed-out cuts than I would normally like. Simply said, though-if you are a GB's fan-I guarantee that you will love this album. If you are not-give it a listen. You may just become a fan, even if, like my young clerk fan-you have never even heard of the group. I can't tell you how many "new" groups I have gotten turned on too when I first heard and then bought their sophomore or junior releases and then went back to buy their first and second albums. New fans that like this album would be well served to go back and buy anything from "Dusted" and "Up and Crumbling" thru "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" (or even the Gas Giants' one release-one of Robin Wilson's side projects along with another GBs' member or two). They will certainly not be disappointed. The earlier albums and EPs are no longer in stores but you can find them used on Amazon while "New Miserable Experience" and "Congratulations, I'm Sorry" should still be out there at better music stores and on Amazon.
Oh, and if you have never caught these guys live-do so. They are tremendous in concert and rock far more than they do on their albums. They play only small venues now-which is a shame perhaps for the group's ego but better for the fans. I saw them once back in the early 90's at Bumbershoot (a yearly arts and music festival in Seattle)in a 14,000 seat areana that was full. In the late 90's I saw them at a small local college gym and then just a few years ago at a Seattle area Indian Casino ballroom. The final two shows were the most enjoyable due to the more intimate surroundings. It's just to bad in today's music scene that "boy-bands" and cookie-cutter girl toys (yes, Brittany-I'm talking about you) can fill major stadiums and talents like these guys have to play casinos and coffee houses. Oh well-Mom never said life was fair. But, just maybe, it will make the boys hungry again and take us closer to another "new miserable experience" (not the album, but the time). And remember-"if you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down".

PS: Can someone clue me into the significance of the new album's title and the origin of the album's cover art???