Here is a review of few major label bands that got my attention:
Gin Blossoms “No Chocolate Cake”
The Gin Blossoms were one of the few power pop bands of the 90’s that had mainstream success with mega-hits including “Hey Jealousy” and “Til I Hear It From You.” Now the band returns after their Major Lodge Victory album, to continue their brand of easy going power pop. The band (Robin Wilson, Jesse Valenzuela, Scott Johnson and Bill Leen) assisted by Danny Wilde (The Rembrandts) on keyboards starts out with the crunchy chords of “Don’t Change For Me.” The band does a fine job here but it sounds too innocuous to be that memorable until we get to the standout track “Miss Disarray” which will remind you of those classic hits. The next song “Wave Bye Bye” is also very good with Wilson’s gentle vocal and a hook in the chorus that keeps you listening.
Another gem is found on “Somewhere Tonight” with some great guitar melodies and Danny Wilde’s influence is very strong here. Unfortunately with the entire band getting song credit on “I’m Ready” it’s so generic and bland it begs you to hit the skip button. The band redeems itself on “Goin’ To California” with a standout guitar solo and measured rhythms. Overall, No Chocolate Cake has some sweet moments that makes it worthwhile.
The Dandy Warhols “The Capitol Years 1995-2007”
The Dandies were a band that put the “chic” in heroin chic with their druggy psychedelic pop debut. This retrospective collection of the band shows how a promising group can catch the zeitgeist of an era with the big hits, “Boys Better” and “Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth.” Lead singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor was a perfect mix of Bowie and Lou Reed early on with a sarcasm and trippy introspective approach that few could equal. Other songs like “Bohemian Like You” and “We Used To Be Friends” channel The Rolling Stones at their lounge lizard best. The band begins to spiral into a self indulgent mess toward the end on “Plan A” and “Holding Me Up.” I could go on for a page about the love-hate battle with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, but in the end it’s the music that remains. The Dandy Warhols legacy is secure and this is a decent introduction to newbies. 