Deep Cuts: Blind Melon

Whereas most new alternative bands coming up in the early '90s borrowed from the leaders of the pack (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, etc.), Blind Melon was an exception to the rule — their roots lay in classic rock (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin). And while they were never the toast of the critics, their self-titled '92 debut has held up incredibly well over time — resembling a true rock classic. At times mellow and introspective, other times rough and rocking, the album remains one of the most pure sounding rock albums of recent times - devoid of '90s production tricks. And while the late Shannon Hoon was, unfairly, usually the brunt of reviewer's criticisms, his angelic voice and talent for penning lyrics that examined the ups and downs of everyday life were an integral part of Blind Melon's sound, as well as the band's supreme jamming interplay. The most renowned song remains the uplifting hit, "No Rain," but the whole album is superb — the homesick rocker "Tones of Home," the desperate "I Wonder," the epic album closer, "Time," and the gentle acoustic strum of "Change," which included lyrics that turned out to be sadly prophetic for Hoon. Other highlights are a song inspired by the homeless ("Paper Scratcher"), "Sleepyhouse," which describes the feeling of isolation the band felt recording the debut in a secluded residence, and the retro (yet refreshing) sounds of "Soak the Sin" and "Dear Ol' Dad." Although the album started out slow sales-wise, constant touring and the success of "No Rain" one year after the debut's initial release proved to be Blind Melon's breakthrough success, eventually almost topping the charts and going multi-platinum. [Blind Melon is also available in an import release.]