I am indeed a fan. Agreed that it happens or not. It’s bonkers what makes it and what doesn’t.
I feel with Soul Asylum; it was just bad timing. They had their breakthrough, Grave Dancers Union, and then grunge hit. Hard. And you…
I am indeed a fan.
Agreed that it happens or not. It’s bonkers what makes it and what doesn’t.
I feel with Soul Asylum; it was just bad timing. They had their breakthrough, Grave Dancers Union, and then grunge hit. Hard.
And you can’t fault Columbia Records (too much) — they tried to market them as “grungey,” they just weren’t. But who can say for sure why they couldn’t build on the momentum of GDU and Let Your Dim Light Shine (which is about as Westerberg-esque as an album title can get with it being Paul Westerberg). It didn’t help that there was an eight-year gap between Candy From A Stranger and The Silver Lining. In rock years, that's a lifetime.
Okay, three songs:
“Stand Up and Be Strong” — off The Silver Lining — just a good up-lifting song and a simple message. It won’t change your life.
“Standing in the Doorway” — off Hang Time — an introverts theme song — I HATE the production on that album, but I love a number of the songs. It sounds like it’s just a swing for the arenas: a swing and a miss for Steve Jordan. But this song? Mmmm-wha!
“Brand New Shine” — off …And The Horse They Rode In On — They know who they are:
I got something special to show you
But I suppose you’ve seen it all before
There’s one thing I’m trying to tell you
But then again, you’ve heard it all before
Love the ‘mats too, and Husker is hit or miss for me. I recognize the genius, it just doesn’t always speak to me.
Anyway, thanks for reading and dropping a note. Let me know if any of those took you across the finish line.
Also, we have an Album of the Month club zoom meeting on June 6, if you’re interested. Music nerds talking music. The first one we covered Van Halen’s Women and Children First. Here’s info on the second one:
https://medium.com/the-riff/join-the-riffs-album-of-the-month-club-66638d2fcda0