It's surprising to me that Down on the Upside didn't stick with you initially. Not only is it my favorite Soundgarden album, it's arguably a top 5 all-time favorite album of mine.
As for this Foo Fighters album, I agree. It's an often overlooked album, but I actually think it is their second-best album.
Listen man...I really wasn't going to go HERE (there?). Honest...I really wasn't. But your article and the premise practically TAUNTING me. So you asked for it really...and here it is...
Candlebox (self-titled) - a Colour and Shape album of sorts. Kinda a perfect album for the time even if mainstream media decided it was 2 years late... ~ about around the time it dropped off the charts (research department says: 104 weeks on charts!). Lucy...the dreaded second album follow-up that was both objectively not as good (but maybe better than you remember!) and also facing the duel daunting headwinds of 1) the media having decisively concluded they were a "poser" band and 2) facing the gauntlet of great music that 1995 offered. Have you looked at 1995? JESUS. Mellon Collie...Oasis...Jagged Little Pill...Alice In Chains...FOO FIGHTER!...Insomniac...there are about a bajillion more too. My point: nobody was "winning" 1995. Everyone a bloody mess. And no one more than a poser band feeling themselves a little too much and probably a little burned out...and just giving us a B- when even an A++ wouldn't do.
BUT...
Having been thoroughly written off they released 'Happy Pills' on July 21st 1998. That's actually like 25 years minus 2 weeks...from when we'll see them (really just Kevin Martin and some new band dudes). Happy Pills a return to form of sorts and has some really great stuff. But no one paid it any attention because (again) POSERS...and also it dropped in the great Rock ADHD moment of late 90's. I was in college and my attention to listening to anything deep or repeatedly was -0%. And like you and "There is Nothing Left to Lose"...even I (SUPERFAN!) wasn't in the mood to listen to it or pay attention to it.
Since you're as excited as I am for the "CONCERT EVENT OF THE SUMMER"...I think you should give it a try. And while you're at it...listen to some of their other stuff released. I've been super into "Spotlights" lately having discovered it just now...after we got tix. It's admittedly a POSER song...but then I'm completely WASHED now too...and don't care. It's solid.
If I'm lucky...you'll listen...and I'm sure play it cool during the concert. But I know I'll catch that same grin I caught as you enjoyed the shit out of The Offspring in Tempe. It's all good...I know you're no POSER and you can keep playing it chill...but we both know...
It's surprising to me that Down on the Upside didn't stick with you initially. Not only is it my favorite Soundgarden album, it's arguably a top 5 all-time favorite album of mine.
As for this Foo Fighters album, I agree. It's an often overlooked album, but I actually think it is their second-best album.
These articles are great! Now I will spend the morning listening to those Foo and Soundgarden albums. Perfect way to start the weekend!
Listen man...I really wasn't going to go HERE (there?). Honest...I really wasn't. But your article and the premise practically TAUNTING me. So you asked for it really...and here it is...
Candlebox (self-titled) - a Colour and Shape album of sorts. Kinda a perfect album for the time even if mainstream media decided it was 2 years late... ~ about around the time it dropped off the charts (research department says: 104 weeks on charts!). Lucy...the dreaded second album follow-up that was both objectively not as good (but maybe better than you remember!) and also facing the duel daunting headwinds of 1) the media having decisively concluded they were a "poser" band and 2) facing the gauntlet of great music that 1995 offered. Have you looked at 1995? JESUS. Mellon Collie...Oasis...Jagged Little Pill...Alice In Chains...FOO FIGHTER!...Insomniac...there are about a bajillion more too. My point: nobody was "winning" 1995. Everyone a bloody mess. And no one more than a poser band feeling themselves a little too much and probably a little burned out...and just giving us a B- when even an A++ wouldn't do.
BUT...
Having been thoroughly written off they released 'Happy Pills' on July 21st 1998. That's actually like 25 years minus 2 weeks...from when we'll see them (really just Kevin Martin and some new band dudes). Happy Pills a return to form of sorts and has some really great stuff. But no one paid it any attention because (again) POSERS...and also it dropped in the great Rock ADHD moment of late 90's. I was in college and my attention to listening to anything deep or repeatedly was -0%. And like you and "There is Nothing Left to Lose"...even I (SUPERFAN!) wasn't in the mood to listen to it or pay attention to it.
Since you're as excited as I am for the "CONCERT EVENT OF THE SUMMER"...I think you should give it a try. And while you're at it...listen to some of their other stuff released. I've been super into "Spotlights" lately having discovered it just now...after we got tix. It's admittedly a POSER song...but then I'm completely WASHED now too...and don't care. It's solid.
If I'm lucky...you'll listen...and I'm sure play it cool during the concert. But I know I'll catch that same grin I caught as you enjoyed the shit out of The Offspring in Tempe. It's all good...I know you're no POSER and you can keep playing it chill...but we both know...