Semisonic: All About Chemistry : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Last time out, Semisonic scored big with "Closing Time," an ode to the feeling of desperation that follows last call, when it's clear not everyone will be going home happy. On All About Chemistry, the trio's third album, singer-guitarist-songwriter Dan Wilson relocates that emotion in science class, hauling out the old love-as-chemistry trope (compounds colliding! messy explosions!) to describe his latest botched experiments in romance. It is a tried-and-true songwriter device. It also comes with risk: that the conceit will overshadow the sentiment. But Chemistry works precisely because of Semisonic's skillful management of cliche, particularly Wilson's ability to elevate ordinary story lines with buoyant melodies. He is an unabashed pop classicist. The Badfinger-y refrain of "Bed" and the dreamy 10cc-like chorale in "Act Naturally" gently update musical ideas from decades ago; the earnest ballad "One True Love" finds him collaborating with songwriting legend Carole King. But Wilson and Semisonic also have the gift of grab: Chemistry's best songs - like the stately-piano creation "She's Got My Number" and the resolutely upbeat "Sunshine and Chocolate" - are bright vignettes full of the walking-on-eggshells tension of modern love, expertly told tales that are equal parts craft and emotion. (RS 866)

TOM MOON