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Gin Blossoms - Major Lodge Victory
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Gin Blossoms - Major Lodge Victory

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Major Lodge Victory
Music Price: $9.98 $8.98
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Artist(s)Gin Blossoms
StudioHybrid Recordings
Release DateAugust 8, 2006
UPC Code614992005020
Buy this item$8.98 at Amazon.com
As of Aug 21 23:39 EDT (details)
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About Gin Blossoms - Major Lodge Victory

After a string of hits across the first half of the nineties, the Gin Blossoms disbanded by the decade's end. With the appearance of a greatest hits collection continuing to keep their songs alive, the band did a reunion show that led to a full fledged tour in 2002. Returning to the studio with a dozen new songs, Major Lodge Victory is their first new album in ten years. It's full of guitar hooks wedded to emotionally evocative lyrics ("I promise I won't hurt you anymore" "Mama said your life wouldn't be too easy, that's about the only thing she said at all"), most songs being by band founder Jesse Valenzuela. Robin Wilson's lightly vibratoed vocals have an evocative presence that call to mind Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield anyone?). The band manages to be at once crisp and powerful, occasionally finding grooves to settle into, but never straying far from the dramatic needs of each song. --David Greenberger Amazon.com

Tracks

  1. Learning The Hard Way
  2. Come On Hard
  3. Someday Soon
  4. Heart Shaped Locket
  5. The End Of The World
  6. Long Time Gone
  7. Super Girl
  8. Let's Play Two
  9. Curious Thing
  10. Jet Black Sunrise
  11. Fool For The Taking
  12. California Sun

Similar CDs

Outside Looking In: The Best Of Gin BlossomsCongratulations...I\'m SorrySaturday Nights & Sunday MorningsDustedNew Miserable Experience
Outside Looking In: The Best Of Gin BlossomsCongratulations...I'm SorrySaturday Nights & Sunday MorningsDustedNew Miserable Experience

 

User Reviews

Average user review: 4.5 (45 reviews)

rating: 5 QuoteMajorQuote
One of the most oft-told myths of the 90's alternative music scene is that Gin Blossoms were a lesser band without the songwriting of Doug Hopkins, who wrote their big hits Hey Jealousy and Found Out About You. Now I happen to agree that the latter song is one of the great songs of the 90's and it's in my personal all-time favorites list and nothing they've done since has equaled it, but it's still just one song......and a re-listen of Congratulations I'm Sorry and Major Lodge Victory should prove beyond a doubt that the Hopkins myth is mis-guided. He was a gifted songwriter to be sure, but Robin Wilson, Bill Leen, and Jesse Valenzuela (the principal writers since) have crafted two, very deep, albums since then, full of good songs.

And that's what's great about Congrats and Lodge: They're chock full of great songs, and noticeably lacking any bad ones, or even ones that smack of being "filler" material. The songs take advantage of Wilson's clear voice, with Valenzuela backing him, and the terrific guitar playing of Valenzuela and Scott Johnson. It's just a pleasure to be able to listen to a guy who can actually sing (and not wail), where I can understand pretty much every piece of lyric coming at me, and Robin Wilson delivers that.

My only real complaint is that Major Lodge Victory took 10 years to come out. I hope their next album will see the light of day a lot sooner than that, I'm looking forward to it. May 11, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteAs Good As Anything They Have Done!Quote
What a great CD!! It's so nice to hear fresh, amazing rock songs again. The "Gin" boys usually never fail to come through. Here you will hear solid music, song after song after song. No Trash here!

BUY IT!!!! February 8, 2008

rating: 3 QuoteMediocre Lodge VictoryQuote
This is not a bad album, but it certainly isn't as good as "New Miserable Experience" or "Congratulations...I'm Sorry." At times I felt like I was listening to Tom Petty rather than The Gin Blossoms. Don't get me wrong, I like Tom Petty, but not when I'm expecting the Gin Blossoms.

The main difference here to me is that this album has a lot of good songs, but no great songs. Their earlier albums had several great songs. January 6, 2008

rating: 4 QuoteStill the Gin'sQuote
Firstly, there is nothing wrong with this album. By itself it is a decent (albeit dated sounding) pop/alternative album.

However as a fan of the Gin Blossoms work back in the 90's I can't help but feel that something is missing in this album. As I listen to it, something just isn't the same as the old stuff. The Gins have never boasted complex lyrics or powerful sound, what made them so addictive for me was that bittersweet mix of upbeat tempo with haunted lyrics. The tempo is still nostalgic Gins, but the lyrics have evolved (or rather devolved) into something more mainstream sounding. Some of this is obviously going to be the loss of Doug Hopkins heartfelt and creative influence that were able to reach out to the audience with simple rhymes and yet grab their emotions. Who couldn't find something in those old songs to relate with? Granted, Doug's influence didn't fuel every song that the band delivered, but the same problem exists. The lyrics and rhymes feel sanitized now and don't capture me the way the old lyrics do. There are still some real gems on this album...but compared to their old albums this is more of a reunion treat, though it still delivers on that patented Gin Blossoms sound. December 20, 2007

rating: 5 QuoteAnother Victory for the Gin Blossoms!!Quote
After ten years of hiatus, the Gin Blossoms return with a new album and the guys do not skip a beat. The Gins have returned and stayed true to their form. The new album picks up right where Congratualtions left off and is simply a home run. The new cd presents many ctachy pwer po tracks such as Long Time Gone, Come On Hard, Super Girl, Learning the Hard Way, and The End of the World. Williams and Vennezula have really produced a nice album and its great to see the guyz back together. Hopefully there is still more albums to come from the Gins in the near future! June 20, 2007

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