Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience

Great edition of a classic album, does cost a bit more, but worth it in my book

This was a suprise to me when it was release, about 10 years after the release of the original album, but as a fan, I bought it. The first disc is the Classic "new miserable experience", and the the second disc is a Collection of songs from their original album prior to this one "Dusted", and a couple of eps released that were hard to come by. Great music overall, worth the extra money in my book, and now more affordable for everybody else on Amazon. Check it out. January 27, 2007

Improving on a Classic

"New Miserable Experience" is one of my all-time favorite albums. I purchased this version because I'd lost the original version and decided to take a chance on the bonus CD. It was well worth the investment. The mix of earlier recordings, alternative mixes, unreleased material and live versions has become another of my faves. If you like the Gin Blossoms' sound, I'd definitely recommend buying the deluxe version of this classic. The GBs didn't leave a very extensive legacy of recordings (although I understand their first new album in years is due out in August) so unlike with many bands that release compilations like this bonus CD, this one doesn't suffer by comparison to other releases. June 17, 2006

Near-perfect record, an unsung classic.

At a certain point in the '90s, critics began using the very band name 'Gin Blossoms' as a derogatory tag to any jangly, pop-heavy band perceived as being lacking in rock and roll edge.

It's a howling injustice, because New Miserable Experience is simply one of the best records of the '90s, holding up even after endless repeat runs, meritorious in all fields -- songwriting, performance, and recording.

Much has been said already about the suicide of first guitarist and chief songwriter Doug Hopkins, and in this case the cliche is mostly true -- Hopkins was the songwriting genius of this band. His work was like the crystallization of Big Star's Alex Chilton and Chris Bell -- Hopkins' songwriting had the rock edge and ragged charm of Chilton, but also the sensitivity and soul of Bell,

A trio of killer songs -- "Lost Horizons", "Found Out about You" and radio favourite "Hey Jealousy", all written solely by Hopkins -- confirms this. "Hey Jealousy" was known as the radio hit that wouldn't die; while it never made it into the Top 20, it lasted so long on the radio charts that Billboard magazine ran an article on the longevity of the song on the airwaves. And listening to it now, it remains what it always was, a blast of perfect pop-rock guaranteed to win over any audience. The moody "Found Out about You" was the breakthrough that had sent this album into double-platinum territory, and it remains unique, taking elements of R.E.M. ,The Byrds, and Big Star into a shimmering, unforgettable pop single. And "Lost Horizons" utilizes a Hopkins trademark -- down-and-out lyrics set to a bright set of melodies and flowing lyrics ("Turn summer trees to bones and ice/Turn insect songs against the night...").

Lead singer Robin Wilson was a secret weapon, one of the sexiest and most melodic singers of the '90s college pop scene, with his wistful vibrato and exuberant phrasing. And while both Wilson and guitarist Jesse Valenzuela's songwriting would deteriorate on Gin Blossoms' next record Congratulations I'm Sorry, here their contributions are impressive: "Until I Fall Away" is a dreamy and soulful ballad, "Mrs. Rita" is spritely fun, and "Hold Me Down" features an engaging, observant lyric with one of the best uptempo backing tracks this band has ever cooked up.

This band would eventually be known as something of a one-hit wonder , and with some reason, because it would only produce two more good songs after New Miserable Experience -- "'Til I Hear It from You" (from the Empire Records soundtrack) and "Follow You Down". However, that doesn't make New Miserable Experience any less great a record. I know that many of my friends and I during our college years literally worshipped this record, learning the songs on guitar and singing along, and it's still one of those rare records you can put on without ever skipping songs around.

This "special edition" doesn't greatly increase buying incentive -- the additional materials are unimpressive. The live tracks aren't anything special, with muddy recording low on guitars and vocals; Wilson sounds great in the studio but sounds like an out-of-breath Richard Marx on the live recordings! The cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" is limp, and the additional songs not really up to the standards of the regular songs from the album. I'd say unless you're a die-hard Gin Blossoms fan, buying the single-disc regular edition of this album would be enough. I love this band, but even I thought this package was unnecessary. February 16, 2005

Amazing Album

Being one of the few die-hard Gin Blossoms fans out there I was very pleased to receive this album for a gift. I could quote to you what all is on this album, but you can read the reviews below me if you'd like stats. I am just going to say that even for the price this album is amazing. And everyone saying they already have this album, and they don't want to rebuy it for some amazing extras, aren't as big a fan as I am. Because anyone who loves the Gin Blossoms as much as I do would need a newer copy of New Miserable Experience to replace the one they listened to on repeat 5 times in a row for days upon end. Thank you Doug Hopkins and all the rest of the Gin Blossoms crew for the music you made which was always there when I needed it. February 2, 2005

A CLASSIC Package!

DISC 2 shows that the GIN BLOSSOMS have much to offer and the band was not just about the songs of DOUG HOPKINS. Their cover of SOUL DEEP is a WINNER! Robin's singing performance is AMAZING and the playing of JESSE, SCOTTY, BILL and PHILLIP can not be understated. This is a band that still has alot of music left in them and in fact are back in the studio right now JULY, 2004. Just saw them LIVE a few weekends ago and they are still as GREAT as ever! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this package! July 11, 2004

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