Major Lodge Victory

Major Lodge Victory

Amazon.com

After a string of hits across the first half of the nineties, the Gin Blossoms disbanded by the decades 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. Its full of guitar hooks wedded to emotionally evocative lyrics ("I promise I wont hurt you anymore" "Mama said your life wouldnt be too easy, thats about the only thing she said at all"), most songs being by band founder Jesse Valenzuela. Robin Wilsons 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
Rate Points :4.5
Binding :Audio CD
Label :Hybrid Recordings
Manufacturer :Hybrid Recordings
MPN :20050
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :Hybrid Recordings
Publisher :Hybrid Recordings
UPC :614992005020
EAN :0614992005020
Price :$9.98USD
Lowest Price :$4.10USD
Customer ReviewsGin Blossoms... Updated and Rockin On
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
I bought Major Lodge Victory the same week as I got a new car and it was great timing. This is the perfect cruising CD for a sunny day, or any day that you want to make seem sunny.

New Miserable Experience is one of my Top 10 Favorite Albums of All Time, so thats my reference point. MLV has a teeny bit of polished pop which could have become bad saccharine but didnt. The vocal and guitar tones are crisp and clean with a little caffeine. Im surprised its so good without Doug. Rock on.

Mediocre Lodge Victory
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :0
This is not a bad album, but it certainly isnt as good as "New Miserable Experience" or "Congratulations...Im Sorry." At times I felt like I was listening to Tom Petty rather than The Gin Blossoms. Dont get me wrong, I like Tom Petty, but not when Im 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.

Still the Gins
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
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 90s I cant help but feel that something is missing in this album. As I listen to it, something just isnt 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 couldnt find something in those old songs to relate with? Granted, Dougs influence didnt fuel every song that the band delivered, but the same problem exists. The lyrics and rhymes feel sanitized now and dont 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.

Major
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
One of the most oft-told myths of the 90s 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 90s and its in my personal all-time favorites list and nothing theyve done since has equaled it, but its still just one song......and a re-listen of Congratulations Im 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 thats whats great about Congrats and Lodge: Theyre 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 Wilsons clear voice, with Valenzuela backing him, and the terrific guitar playing of Valenzuela and Scott Johnson. Its 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, Im looking forward to it.

Good enough no matter its not like before
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
The first times I listened to this cd I just thought it was unnecessary the reunion of these great musicians.

It had to pass some time, then, when I was more relaxed I could find again that blue rocked sound with brilliant notes that made me love the Gin Blossoms.

Of course my best favorite is still the NME, but defitely I feel good enough this later album. I recommend it!

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