Hootie & the Blowfish - Musical Chairs

Folks tend to speak of populist folk-popsters Hootie & the Blowfish in surface terms. The first album, Cracked Rear View, they'll tell you, sold 15 million copies. Second disc, tsk, tsk--only a measly couple million--a real failure for this supposed supergroup. And now, for entry three, the pressure's on: Will Hootie reclaim the multi-platinum throne? But the lens is horribly out of focus here. The songs on Musical Chairs--rife with chiming Americana hooks, swimming in the rich, woodsy warble of one of modern rock's most definitive voices, Darius Rucker--are every bit as aesthetically sound, warm, and hometown charming as those that catapulted the band to fame. Who--outside of Atlantic Records bean counters--truly cares how much this one sells? From the opening feel-good affirmation "I Will Wait" through the punky pounder "Wishing" and the Calypso-flavored "Las Vegas Nights," to the gospel-jangled familial recollections "Home Again" and "One by One," this is one subtly beautiful effort, the kind that creeps up on you with each listening. The more you play it, in fact, the less you worry about how many of your peers have purchased it already. Put the calculator away. Enjoy great music the way it should be enjoyed--eyes shut and smiling. --Tom Lanham Amazon.com

 Only Lonely....the best song on the CD
The Song "Only Lonely" is the best song on this CD. Listen to the beautiful string section in this song! When you hear it behind Darius Ruckers great vocals it's like looking at a wonderful painting and enjoying all the colors of the painting. Outstanding! Saw Hootie & Blowfish sing this song live on David Letterman with a full string section and it sounded great! Also, this song clearly shows that a string section does indeed have a place in rock music. (The Beatles knew this too)By the way, does anyone have a copy of this show? March 11, 2007

 Their best album
This one is a great album. Why it didn't catch on is a mystery to me. this is the definitive Hootie and the Blowfish album with some of their best songs.
I thought Cracked Rear View was overrated. Fairweather was too hit and miss. This was a perfect album front to back.
Their latest, Looking For Lucky is a close CLOSE second. But this one is the one I will always cherrish. January 27, 2007

 My favorite Hootie album!
This is their most complete album they ever created. I think this is better than Cracked Rear View simply because it has aged better. It is also richer in sound and the vocals of Darius Rucker are more confident and more assured. Closet full of fear sends chills down my spine everytime I hear it. It is my favorite song by Hootie. Michelle Post is also a superb song with ironic lyrics and jangly banjos. Musical Chairs is simply beautifully crafted and it sound like they are having a great time. Cracked Rear view was about as consistent as Musical Chairs, but Hootie are more confident and more experienced with Musical Chairs. It is a great album to relax to and it doesn't rock out that much. They don't need to with a voice as rich as Darius Rucker's. April 28, 2006

 Musical Chairs BEST
Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you.. This album is the absolute best work from this band.. From beginning to end the lyrics are unbelievable and the closer you listen to and read the lyrics they begin to come from your own heart.. we have all been there in relationships and dating and every single song hits a key in my heart and the heart of fans everywhere.. "take a little bit of everything baby, it will be all right.. dont just settle for living the lie that i thought you might" February 11, 2006

 Even Better than Cracked Rearview!!
I'm from Costa Rica and the songs from Cracked Rearview were known and popular in the radios even in my country but I tell you folks... this is even better than Cracked Rearview, I really enjoy listening to this record once and over again... it's amazing.. I can't get enough.. these guys are the best!

Of course, aside of Counting Crows, the best U.S. bands ever! October 15, 2005

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