It IS good. I've been following what members of Blind Melon were doing since I missed a Unified Theory (Blind Melon and Pearl Jam) show in Austin when I was in college.

You desperately want to hear Shannon Hoon again, as that guy had a voice that's given to maybe 2 or 3 people a decade, but the new guy is really good. Sometimes you kind of think he's trying to imitate him, but it's really more the way the music is being played that lends to Shannon-like passages.

And the music isn't bad, either. I'll agree with how it's compared to the Soup album. The self-titled album is the one that will always be held dearest (or, sold most often to used CD shops...), but Soup, on repeated listenings, stands up just a little less tall. It's a shame that you have to "get into it," though, as that kind of thing will turn off a lot of people that are just giving it a chance.

I'd say, though, that 2 of 3 hardcore fans (and rarely will you find a casual Blind Melon fan) will pay for the album. It might not be enough to chart well, or even to revive a career, but it's enough to let the band play what they still have to get out, and it'll be like heroin for the fans. We want that first time back so bad, but this is just the next fix. It's no self-titled, nothing ever will be, but it's good shiat and it'll keep you high long enough until the next one, or until they break up and do solo work or collaborations.

Seriously. Everyone, go buy Blind Melon's self titled album if you don't have it. You should be able to get a used copy for at most, $5. I think it goes for .01c on Amazon.

Oh, yes, it's the dancing bee girl video band btw. The one that made you feel a lot better about 1992 whenever you saw it.

Aw man...i liked Shannon Hoon's voice and was bummed when he died.

/miss Layne Staley a hell of a lot more though

Im a HUGE blind melon fan, and I am not one who is eager to jump all over this new singer and rag on him for sucking. Id love to see the band in concert, to see the old hits of course, but after listening to the first single of this new album, the music was great, and i could hear shannon attempt to sing this, but the cliche lyrics made it sour for me.

At which point, I promptly threw on 'The Pusher' from Nico, and became happy

Well, I for one enjoyed this nice break from Blind Melon.

Hopefully this one won't pee on his audience.

Zombie Blind Melons?

One of my favorite bands but im not sure how i feel about it without Shannon.

Count me as one of those who thought it was Alice In Chains.

Anybody have / listen to "Soup"? If so, whats' it Like?

Third_Uncle_Eno: Anybody have / listen to "Soup"? If so, whats' it Like?

It is my favorite album of theirs. It is real midwestern sounding rock and roll with a real American feel to it, if that makes any sense. If you like their self titled you would most certainly love the album.

Plus there are two songs about Ed Gaines

Blind Melon - Wilt (new window)

It's good, but Devo wins for the best random new single out of left field after a 13 year downtime.

433-Don't feel bad about missing unified theory. I saw them open for Live here in Sacramento and it was really disappointing.

I agree with JamesIsCoolBeans about the new singer's lyrics being cliche, but his singing is good. It seems like lyrics are a lost art, with the exception of Ben Gibbard or whatever his name is from Deathcab for Cutie and The Postal Service.

Soup is a very good album, but the way it's mastered, you don't realize how good it is until it's almost over. Galaxy is the first song, if I remember correctly, which sets you up for a hard rock record, which you don't get. Soup also lacks the funky feel of the self-titled album which I didn't appreciate at the time, but there are some good melodic, personal songs on the album. Probably two or three songs that are more intimate than anything on the self-titled.

LondonerDan: Count me as one of those who thought it was Alice In Chains.

My first thought too, but then I realized they have already done reunions with a different singer.

If all you know by Blind Melon is "No Rain" (or "the bumblebee girl video song") check out "Change" from the same album.

Mouthful of Cavities (new window)

Shannon and an angel preform my favorite song from the Soup album

so for those of you keeping score at home, since shannon hoon provided vocals on GNR's use your illusion I & II, he's started his own band, released two albums, died, have his band take a 13-year hiatus, reform, and release another album. and the world's still waiting to see another GNR record. haha. not only that, but from the looks of it zombie blind melon is gonna be received far better than chinese democracy.

182: Well, I for one enjoyed this nice break from Blind Melon.

Amen. Do have to start dating that crazy chick from 1993 again too?

I really miss the new lead singers former band, Rain Fur Rent. Look them up on myspace, they have some really good stuff.

Whoa, new Blind Melon? This is some damn good heroin.

Man, "No Rain" helped get me through my junior year in high school. I got my first guitar the year it came out and spent many, many nights learning how to play that solo. And eventually I did!

I think "Tones of Home" was the other release off that album...showcased Hoon's abilities a bit more. I've always loved southern-twinged two-guitar rock.

In fact, I'm gonna go out and buy that damn album today. Thanks subby!

Tones of Home FTW.

I don't know what it is, but out of all the music I've ever loved, Blind Melon is the stuff that made me wish I could play guitar. Haven't listened yet but I'm sure I'll love this no matter what the singing is like.

LondonerDan: Count me as one of those who thought it was Alice In Chains.
I was hoping it would be, too.


correct me if I'm wrong, but I was pretty sure the rest of Blind Melon continued under a different name.

Tumblin Down should be there next single. Good shiat.

Not sure how to feel about this. Maybe similar to AC/DC replacing Bon?

/Still misses Shannon
//Nico was one of the most touching albums I've heard

I like watching the puddles gather rain.

What? I DO!

I'm siked. Love this band.

saw them in pittsburgh a couple months ago... they rocked. the new singer can definitely sign the old songs and although ya miss shannon, this guy is the one to take his spot. they will never be the same old melon, but i think its awesome they want to do more after all this time... ummm, seriously, listen to more songs than "no rain" before you rag on them...

Does the bee girls still dance for them?

If not, I don't much care.

Anyone catch Blind Melon around '93 on the Lenny Kravitz/Are You Gonna Go My Way tour? Or around '94-'95 with Page/Plant?

LondonerDan: Count me as one of those who thought it was Alice In Chains.

Me too. I clicked the link and just repeated "no, no, no, no" over and over again while the page was loading.

Dialectic: Zombie Blind Melons?

first hit single: "Braaaaiinnnns"

182: Well, I for one enjoyed this nice break from Blind Melon.

as far as the whole listening to music thing... you're doing it wrong.

My favorite song about heroin..
2X4 (new window)

Blind Melon was not just Shannon..they were/are and excellent band.

i thought the first record was alright, loved 'soup', but thought this song totally sucked. will i like any of the post mortem projects?

Too bad they only had that one good song.

Rokoh: Too bad they only had that one good song.

Being?

Rokoh and Gunny Highway: people like you suck... ya really do

I liked the songs Change and Galaxie.

warble:

People like you dont suck at all....seriously

As a die hard blind melon fan- I just hope this isn't their Endless Wire. My god, what the hell were those two thinking.

That said, I like this band so much I bought the Anna Nalick album the bass player and drummer produced, so I either way I'm buying it.

warble: Rokoh and Gunny Highway: people like you suck... ya really do

I dont know if you are going to come back in here to explain yourself but from what i infer from your post is you think that i dont like Blind Melon. If you checked my other posts above you would see that they are one of my favorite bands. Or do you just think im a dick because i guess i understand that. sorta. By saying "being" i was wonder what song he was referring too. Read the thread.

Phosphorus: I really miss the new lead singers former band, Rain Fur Rent. Look them up on myspace, they have some really good stuff.

If you are a REAL fan you'll remember OO Metro.

il Dottore: OO Metro

I didn't hear about RFR until towards the end unfortunately. I think it was late 05...?

Anyway, I didn't realize travis was in oo metro, but I did notice it on the RFR myspace page.

/I like RFR better

Put me in the "huge fan of Blind Melon" category. Their self titled was awesome. Shame that "No Rain" song turned a lot of people off. The rest of the that album kicked some serious ass.

Tones of Home, Change, Holy Man, I Wonder, Sleepyhouse, ....

Good shiate from start to finish.

If you care...the new stuff is really good. Here is a place to hear live shows...

http://greenmidget.net/blindmelonarticles/eastcoastmelontrip/blindmelon_charlott e_download.html

LondonerDan: Count me as one of those who thought it was Alice In Chains.

Same here. I couldn't stand Blind Melon.