Hootie & the Blowfish - Scattered, Smothered and Covered

Proudly wearing their reputation as the "ultimate bar band," Hootie & the Blowfish have proven decisively that in a pop-music taproom bristling with full-bodied micro-brews and exotic imports, there are plenty who still crave Budweiser--and often Bud Light. It's hardly surprising then that in compiling this rarities collection, the band invited its fan base to choose a third of the album's 15 tracks (and its cover design) by voting at the Web site of a beer company. The result is a de facto tribute to much of the band's own favorite music, from vintage staples such as Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby," "Use Me" by Bill Withers, and Zeppelin's "Hey Hey What Can I Do" (13.98% of the virtual pub poll) through R.E.M.'s "Driver 8," the Reivers' "Araby," and "Almost Home" (14.24%) to seemingly improbable choices such as an unplugged rendition of Tom Waits's "I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You," Vic Chestnutt's "Gravity of the Situation," and the Smiths' "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" (13.11%). Even on Kim Richey's countrified "Let Me Be Your Man" (the poll topper at 15.47%), Darius Rucker and company display an uncanny ability to unify--and homogenize--seemingly disparate material into their own endlessly bubbly brew. Even if all of it doesn't all taste great, it's definitely less filling. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

 Great Rarities
An album that at first appears somewhat more eclectic than your average Hootie album. After a time of listening to it, the disparate styles of music, which cross from full-on bouncy pop (Araby) to mellow classics (Hey Hey What Can I Do?) to country (Fine Line) to golden oldies (Dream Baby), seem somewhat helter skelter in their scattering throughout this album. Yet after a while, the album seems to pick up a flow that almost begins to make complete sense. Sure, the styling is somewhat random, but the musical quality of the tracks selected, including a soulful live cut (I Hope I don't Fall in Love With You) allows the listener to enjoy the fullest range of Hootie's distinctive and easily identifiable sound. I am purchasing this album for a second time, since continuous play of the first copy left it so badly scratched that I am forced to purchase a second copy to make up for the unplayability of the first. I rate this album as perhaps the very best of all of Hootie's albums. November 1, 2006

 If I Could Give This Album 10 Out 10 I Would
This album is definetely my favorite Hootie & the Blowfish album. I think that it is better than all of the other albums because it has some of the best songs on this slbum, like "Fine Line" and "I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You" and "Use Me" those are my absoulte favorite songs of all the Hootie songs. I definetely recommened that you buy this album if you are a true Hottie & the Blowfish fan. January 31, 2005

 Hootie Does No Wrong
The first time I saw Hootie and the Blowfish was in 1993 when I was a freshman at USC and they played a frat party I went to - I was completely hooked! They continue to be my favorite band! Darius has the most amazing and distinct voice - I can't get enough. The only reason this rating isn't 5 stars is because they didn't record my favorite 2 cover songs they used to do (maybe it's a copyright thing) --> "Mustang Sally" and "Love the One You're With." But I can't complain too much - this whole album is a treat! June 14, 2004

 Something the fans deserved!
Finally, a collection of the stuff that for whatever reason, didn't make the original albums, or wound up scattered (get the title now?) over various soundtracks or import versions of the albums...all in one place. The band has been doing 54-40's "I Go Blind" for years. in fact it was recorded back during the Cracked Rear View sessions...appeared on the Friends TV soundtrack...Use Me has been a concert tune for a long time too...nice to see these and all the other songs together that up until this album have been a case of get 'em where you can find 'em. Thanks guys...and thanks for continuing to be consistently excellent...for those of you who STILL (!) aren't familiar with these guys, get their new Best Of collection...and this one...then go out and grab Cracked Rear View...and then the rest of 'em! March 4, 2004

 The many faces of Hootie
Hootie & the Blowfish began as a kick@ss bar cover b and, and that reappears here with some great covers, along with awesome B-Sides. The diversity on this album is amazing. Fine Line is bluesy, I Go Blind explodes with trademark Hootie rock, then Almost Home shows off their more bluegrass side, before a Led Zeppelin cover rocks you, then Darius lets loose with one of most soulful, incredible vocal performances I've ever heard (Renaissance Eyes). And that's just the first five songs, a taste of what this album brings. There's an REM cover, original Hootie stuff, it's all different and it's all great. Forget what you may have heard about this band, if you love MUSIC get this and their other albums and you will not be disappointed November 6, 2003

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