Quarters for the Jukebox

Blind Melon returns from the land of the non-recording bands, after losing lead singer/songwriter Shannon Hoon from a drug overdose in 1995 (though they continued with a few posthumous albums up until 2001). The group has reformed with new singer Travis Warren at the helm. His vocals are cutting in their own right, but his sound doesn’t stray much from the original Hoon led Blind Melon (Warren sounds like he was born to be the lead singer for an 80s hair band or a reboot of Blind Melon). With Warren’s familiar singing, the album slides in nicely to the band’s discography, an easy continuation of the band’s early to mid 90’s work. The lyrics are generally uplifting and sound meant to be inspirational in some form or another, which doesn’t always seem to fit with how the music actually sounds. Overall, the album is consistent with a really rootsy feel to it. Original fans will enjoy, but if you weren’t a fan before, don’t expect to be converted. Check for yourself.

Quarters for the songs: For My Friends; Harmful Belly; Last Laugh.

Worth listening, if you like: Collective Soul; Jane’s Addiction; Marcy Playground; Pearl Jam; Phish; Soul Asylum; Rusted Root; Toad the Wet Sprocket; Tonic.