Rate Points :4.0
Binding :Audio CD
Label :A&M
Manufacturer :A&M
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :A&M
Publisher :A&M
UPC :731454046923
EAN :0731454046923
Price :$11.98USD
Lowest Price :$3.99USD
Customer ReviewsGood Second Effort
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
The more I listened to New Miserable Experience the more I was convinced that it was one of the greatest records ever made, at least one of the greatest debuts ever (I know it wasnt actually their first, but officially it was). Anyway, I was prepared to be disappointed by "Congratulations, Im Sorry." I was, but not so much. At first, I only liked one or two songs. But over the years the c.d. grew on me. It lacks the intensity and the pain that Doug Hopkins displayed on NME but it still has most of the elements of the first one. Its got the same sound, just not as "driving and biting" as the first.My favorites are "Follow You Down," which got a lot of airplay, "Not Only Numb," and "As Long As It Matters." IMO, "As Long As It Matters" is the best song on the c.d. and sounds most like something off of NME. Unfortunately, Ive seen the Gin Blossoms (4) times and theyve never played this song in concert. Anyway, the one disappointment is that " Til I Hear It From You" is not on here, and but was released about the same time for a movie soundtrack. If you liked the first one you will like this one as well.
Great Band, Great Album
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
This album actually surpasses "New Miserable Experience" in terms of cohesiveness and production. Every track is a winner!
I had a friend who for a whole year of High School was trying to "Unload" this album on me, which I constantly refused. He wanted to give it away, but I figured it must be realy bad if its free. Man, was I wrong.
Right from the beginning the upbeat, yet introspective "Day Job" and "Highwire" get your toes tapping. Of course the album has its radio hit "Follow You Down", but even "Memphis Time" which moves into classic country music territory is enjoyable.
A great album and worth more than the mere penny people are asking, which is 1 cent more than I had to pay for it. Lucky me.
Solid Album from a Solid Band
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
Im probably what youd call a casual fan of Gin Blossoms. I have their two major-label 90s releases ("Congratulations..." and "New Miserable...") but didnt know they had lost one of their founding members BEFORE Congratulations was released. I dont see major differences in the "GB sound" or quality at_all b/w these two discs. Both are favorites in my listening rotation.
These guys have a lively, engaging, upbeat sound. Fans of early-to-mid R.E.M. and other "jangly alt rock" have an incomplete music collection if they dont have GBs stuff. Id talk about individual tracks, but it wouldnt matter as every track on this album grabs you both lyrically and musically. Its just THAT good.
In case youre interested in more GB, they are now reunited and touring (Summer 06) with a NEW ALBUM called "Major Lodge Victory" slated for release 8/8/06.
Decent second album (3.5 stars)
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :1
The Gin Blossoms released their second album, Congratulations...Im Sorry, in 1996. This was made during a troubling time for the band as they not only had to follow up their very successful debut, New Miserable Experience, but they also had to do this without one of their chief songwriters, guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was dismissed from the band and would later commit suicide. Their first single, the catchy "Follow You Down", along with the non-album track, "Until I Hear It from You", showed promise as it became a double-sided Top 10 hit. Unfortunately, the album is a bit of a disappointment as it plays like a collection of decent to very good songs that dont grab your attention, even after repeated listenings.
The album starts out strong as "Day Job" is a great rocker while "Highwire" and the aforementioned "Follow You Down" are both very good. After this, the album is solid but not spectacular with the best tracks being "Virginia", "I Cant Figure You Out", and the pretty ballad "As Long As It Matters." Other tracks like "My Car", "Perfectly Still", "Competition Smile", and "Not Only Numb" are decent but dont contain the hooks or the passion that made New Miserable Experience so great. All told, while theres nothing bad on Congratulations...Im Sorry, only the first three songs are on the level of their debut. The bands latest release, Major Lodge Victory, is a return to form as the catchy melodies from their heyday return.
Seems Like a Century Ago Instead of a Decade
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :2
Im converting all my CDs to computer and selling off the CDs. Somebody just bought this one and I listened to it while ripping and, though its only a decade old, the guitars, harmonies and tired, as in physically, yearning vocals make the GBs sound like something out of the early sixties. I actually liked it better on this hearing than the last time I played it -- and thats been years. Highlights: Day Job, My Car, I Cant Figure You Out, and Competition Smile.
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