Album Reviews
In the hands of smart guys, trebly, chiming guitars and spare, certain melodies took divergent paths in ancient days -- toward the Byrds' clear skies and the Velvet Underground's blue-lit alleys. R.E.M., of course, fused the directions in the '80s, creating a freeway that soon became crowded. Arizona's Gin Blossoms approach the Athens, Ga., demigods with the reverence popsters used to accord the Beatles, but so smartly have they absorbed the influence that "New Miserable Experience" sounds both fresh and highly personal. Robin Wilson's a confident, engaging singer; "Hey Jealousy" is manna for radio; and the ease with which this quintet casts hooks suggests that there's plenty more in store. Ireland's Cranberries share a similar gift for entrancing tunefulness but with Dolores O'Riordan's vocal audacity (catch her quasi-Moroccan moaning on "Dreams"). They're the deeper, dreamier unit. "Linger" and its orchestration hint at the group's musical ambition; guitarist Noel Hogan is a resourceful melodist; and by picking Stephen Street as producer, best known for maximizing the moodiness of the Smiths, they've accomplished a sharp, self-aware debut.
(Posted: Feb 2, 1998)
How to Play This Album
It's FREE.
Click the play button.
Register or enter your username and password.
Let the music play!
It's FREE.
Track List
- I Still Do
- Dreams
- Sunday
- Pretty
- Waltzing Back
- Not Sorry
- Linger
- Wanted
- Still Can't...
- I Will Always
- How
- Put Me Down
![]() |
Advertisement
Hear it Now
View
Email
Stumble
AIM
Del.icio.us
DiggThis
Fark It!



- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.