Gin Blossoms took a break of nearly four years to refire their creative energies after the touring, the tragedy (the death of member Douglas Hopkins) and the slow-to-build recognition, which paid off when their major-label debut, New Miserable Experience (1992), turned into a double-platinum smash. On Congratulations I'm Sorry, the band adheres to its radio-ecstatic formula of hook-laden, wall-of-guitar power pop; consequently, the record feels more like a sequel than its own unique entity. There are advantages and disadvantages to this blatant sameness.

Certain tracks distinguish themselves from the fray. "Not Only Numb" lopes along with a remarkably deceptive air of serenity; Robin Wilson's reedy vocals evoke forceful exasperation against the seductive build of guitars. "As Long As It Matters" resounds with the band's shameless genuflections to Byrds-like harmonies and arrangements. The Blossoms even incorporate an acoustic-12-string-sounding dynamic into their rougher-edged tracks but not without some drawbacks. Songs like "I Can't Figure You Out" and "Perfectly Still" reverberate with percussive assaults and whining guitar exchanges to match, but there's a sense that the attacks are forced, that the boys would prefer to indulge in a folksier song for a change.

Lyrically, things are dicier; perhaps Gin Blossoms will outgrow chick-and-auto fodder like "My Car" and discover a world beyond high school reminiscences. Nevertheless, Congratulations I'm Sorry is a kinetically charged follow-up for the Arizona quintet. Like mashed potatoes and meatloaf, there's not much variety to Gin Blossoms' guileless guitar pop, but then again, sometimes there's nothing quite so comforting as a guilty pleasure. (RS 730)

KARA MANNING