lambchops's Full Review: Feeling Strangely Fine by Semisonic
It always saddens me when a band with great potential and good talent ends up becoming known as “one hit wonders.” Sadly, this is what is going to be the case for the Minneapolis-based Semisonic.” We all remember the band as having the bar-closing, end of the night hit ”Closing Time”. Alas, there is more to the band than just one hit. So much more.
There are three guys who make up the band, Dan Wilson (vocalist/guitarist/songwriter), John Munson (bassist), and drummer Jacob Slichter. They came together after Wilson and Muson’s band Trip Shakespeare broke up in the mid-1990’s. Semisonic was officially formed in 1995 and they released their first EP that same year, Pleasure. Since then, the guys have released three critically acclaimed albums, 1996’s The Great Divide, 1998’s Feeling Strangely Fine and 2001’s All About the Chemistry.
Of course their sound is similar to other semi-alternative popsters from this era like Collective Soul, Matthew Sweet, Ben Folds Five, Fastball, and Third Eye Blind. Despite their MTV success (yes, DESPITE), the band does prove to have some sort of talent…as we’ll discuss in the following paragraphs. Sure, they’ve met with scads of screaming teens thanks to their platinum-selling notoriety, but give the Midwest guys a chance to prove themselves to more than 15-year-old girls.
The aforementioned hit ”Closing Time” leads off this album. It begins with a low, pleading guitar and a piano. The song is slow with a downtrodden feel. It is by no means a happy track, rather it speaks about how sad the end of an evening out is. The chorus breaks into a rocking singalong. As the track progresses, the song gets happier and happier. You know it well ”So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits, I hope you have found a friend, Closing time, Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. I particularly enjoy the piano work toward the end of the song. It’s just a fun track!
The second track is the wonderful, whimsical ”Singing In My Sleep”. Again, it’s got great sound and Wilson’s vocals and lyrics shine. The beginning of the song is memorable with the combination of keyboard and guitar. This is a great track. Sure, it’s kind of wimpy in comparison to “real” rock and roll. I absolutely love this one…probably more than the first and most popular. You may have heard it…it was released as a single, thus getting radio airplay especially around college campuses.
Pianos again mark the beginning of this one. ”Made to Last” actually has all of the markings of an old track by any number of singer-songwriters. Semisonic. It actually reminds me a bit of The Beatles songs. It’s actually quite easy to listen to and shows some real potential above and beyond the band’s genre typecasting.
”Never You Mind” is a super track with influences well above and beyond their contemporaries. It’s basically just horn instruments, drums, and pianos…all things lead the song to sound much more like a 1970’s pop track. I like it very much. It’s upbeat, interesting, and remains among the absolutely best tracks on the entire album. After hearing this track, it’s very apparent that these are talented musicians.
Beginning like a sort of lounge act crossed with a ballad, this is another wonderful track that got some radio play. ”Secret Smile” is actually quite a bit better than the band’s more popular lead off track. Listen to this one. Please? Here’s an example of the lyrics. I’m promising you that it’s not possible to be disappointed with this almost-groovy track. ”Nobody knows it but you've got a secret smile, And you use it only for me”. WONDERFUL!
Acoustic guitars mark the beginning of ”DND”. Of course, that makes a guitar princess like me absolutely love it from the beginning. The song has just vocals, acoustic guitars, and a light percussion. The song is groovy with elements of electronica, yet still remains slow and delicate. It’s a must listen!
”Completely Pleased” begins like a great many Sheryl Crow songs. It then breaks down into a groovy Beck-esque track. This proves to be yet another amazing track from this band that most people only know for a song or two. Definitely worth a listen. It’s got apparent R&B or funk influences here too.
Don’t miss out on the great drums & guitars on ”This Will Be My Year”. Sure, it’s not quite as amazing a song as some of the others. But, the track is nonetheless full of merit. Don’t miss out on it just because you’ve never heard of it.
”All Worked Out” actually reminds me of a Brit-Pop track from Blur. I like the fact that it varies from hollow acoustic guitars to electric guitars, both of which back Wilson’s nasally voice wonderfully. The band’s typical piano is also great hear. It’s another must-listen on par with ”Closing Time”.
”California” is a ballad with country influences. Of course, this immediately taints my opinion, but the track saves itself with pure emotional awe. I like the lyrics in addition to the slow- to mid-tempo speed. Here’s what the nearly magical song says: ”Driven through the canyons I was Dazzled by the mountains and we didn't go very far Close enough to heaven if you Climb up on a mansion you too can swing like a star”.
I’m sort of rubbed the wrong way from the beginning by ”She Spreads Her Wings”. The guitars clash with one another and Wilson’s vocals aren’t as good as they are on some of the other tracks. This one is probably the worst of the entire album (although, that’s saying quite a lot since the album is great as a whole).
The final track is ”Gone to the Movies”. It begins with an acoustic guitar and Wilson’s voice. It’s a great track, ballad, and story for that matter. Check it out. Please don’t skip out because the eleventh track bites so badly.
As you can tell, this is a good album that just happened to produce one huge hit that has little meaning and manages to overshadow all of the wonderful tracks. I absolutely adore a few of these, especially ”Secret Smile”. That’s just a great track. I want you to check this one out. I suspect a lot of people bought this one only for the first track. I also suspect that people didn’t ever listen to the entire thing. Stop where you’re at. Pop Feeling Strangely Fine into the stereo and give it a chance. It’s not hard rock by a long shot, but it’s quirky alterna-pop that rests among my favorites in the genre.
I have to give this one five stars. Period. Actually 4.5/5.0, a score that translates into 5 stars for this album. It’s beautiful, delicate, eclectic, and diverse. It’s a must for people who like music in general. Don’t be tainted by ”Closing Time”.
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