Even though they had yet to break out nationally, Gin Blossoms were hugely popular in their hometown of Tempe, Arizona when they began their second album, 1992’s “New Miserable Experience.” But serious problems with the band’s lead guitarist (and one of its primary songwriters) meant that the band and label agreed to dismiss Doug Hopkins. Despite the quality of his songwriting, Hopkins’ alcoholism made continuing impossible. So “New Miserable Experience”—Gin Blossoms’ major-label debut—was released without him, but with his songs.
The record went on to earn five-time platinum status, and has since taken its place as a record that defines the musical zeitgeist of its era. Hopkins continued his descent, eventually taking his own life. But with other fine songwriters remaining in the group, Gin Blossoms went on without him, releasing a string of well-regarded albums and touring to enthusiastic audiences.
In fact, the band’s third album, 1996’s “Congratulations I’m Sorry,” would reach a higher spot on the album charts than its blockbuster predecessor, but it didn’t have the indelible staying power of “New Miserable Experience.” Today—a quarter century after its release—Gin Blossoms’ second album sounds more like a greatest-hits collection than a set of songs written and recorded within a tight time frame.
To celebrate that anniversary, the band—boasting four of the five members who were on board when “New Mis” was released—is touring widely, presenting a start-to-finish performance of its beloved album. The energy and emotion of the set of songs comes through live onstage; even for those who don’t know the pathos and tragedy of “New Miserable Experience”‘s backstory, the set of songs provides an evening of music that’s equal parts nostalgia and just plain old good music.
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. His more than 2,500 interviews, essays, and reviews reflect Bill’s keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill’s work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues, and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian “Cannonball” Adderley’s final album. His first book, “Reinventing Pink Floyd,” is due from Rowman & Littlefield in February 2018.
For “Want” of a Change: A Preview of Rufus Wainwright at Ravinia Park Rufus Wainwright isn’t the first singer-songwriter to reinterpret earlier work through an orchestral lens. And much of Wainwright’s third and fourth albums, “Want One” and “Want Two”—whose twentieth anniversaries are the prompt for this new tour—is fully scored. But when Wainwright hits the Pavilion stage at Ravinia tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be behind him.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
