Most reviews of MLV have essentially stated, "if you like the other Gin Blossoms records, you'll love MLV, because it's more of the same jangly, melodious pop rock wizardry."
But I know better, and I think a lot of you know better, too. MLV is NOT like the other records at all. It is SO much sunnier and lighter. Kooze is a harder hitter than Phil was. The way I see it, NME and CIS stand together well, with their endless references to cigarettes and alcohol, and driving aimlessly and numbness...MLV stands way apart from them. It's a fantastic record, let me state that, but it's definitely not like the others.
If the Gins had been recording all along, a record in 1998, another in 2001, then another in 2004, and then MLV in 2006, the songwriting progression would have felt natural, and MLV wouldn't feel so different...it would just be the next small step, but the ten year layoff gave us a different band. A PHENOMENAL band, but definitely different.
But I know better, and I think a lot of you know better, too. MLV is NOT like the other records at all. It is SO much sunnier and lighter. Kooze is a harder hitter than Phil was. The way I see it, NME and CIS stand together well, with their endless references to cigarettes and alcohol, and driving aimlessly and numbness...MLV stands way apart from them. It's a fantastic record, let me state that, but it's definitely not like the others.
If the Gins had been recording all along, a record in 1998, another in 2001, then another in 2004, and then MLV in 2006, the songwriting progression would have felt natural, and MLV wouldn't feel so different...it would just be the next small step, but the ten year layoff gave us a different band. A PHENOMENAL band, but definitely different.
