You may already be sick of "Closing Time", the breakthrough single
from Minneapolis trio Semisonic that has been beaten into the ground this
summer by modern rock radio across the country. You may have asked
yourself, "Are they just another one-hit-wonder?" The answer: hopefully
not. (And if neither of those two sentences applies, you did click
on this review, so what the heck, might as well keep reading.)
"Closing Time" does give a good preview of what follows on
the rest of the album. On their debut release, Great Divide,
there were still remaining shades of the quirkiness of Trip Shakespeare,
the former band of lead singer/guitarist Dan Wilson and bassist John Munson.
On Feeling Strangely Fine, those moods have been almost completely
replaced by straight ahead pop. Wilson's songs now resemble even
more those of a more famous Wilson (as in Brian), both in the melodies
and harmonies. Picture the Beach Boys with louder guitars. This only
makes for slightly less interesting listening than their debut, though,
because few bands do ear candy as well as these guys. "This Will
Be My Year" is one of the highlights, with Wilson's guitar ringing in all
its power pop glory. But there is enough variety to keep Semisonic
from being a one-trick-pony. "Never You Mind" is driven by a piano riff
that could have been leftover from a lost Ben Folds Five song, and funky
vintage keyboard sounds are featured in "Secret Smile". There are also
a couple of times when drummer Jacob Slichter gives his kit a rest, allowing
the songs to take on a delicate life of their own.
What haven't changed at all from Great Divide are the intelligent lyrics. Wilson is writing some of the smartest songs around about relationships. Sometimes romantic or sad, but never sappy or bitter. Although he does occasionally explore immoral sexual situations, these moments are far outnumbered by some real gems, like "Singing In My Sleep", where a homemade tape keeps a long-distance romance alive:
By Brett MacAlpine (8/11/98)
