LEARNING THE HARD WAY - GIN BLOSSOMS
Long-lived, Grammy Award-nominated Gin Blossoms may have delivered their boatload of hits in the 1990s, but don’t write off a band whose new album, “Major Lodge Victory,” sounds like a seamless continuation of the glory days. First single “Learning the Hard Way” is an effortless triumph of melodic perfection, organic production and collaboration. Lead singer Robin Wilson is instantly recognizable, and the band’s live sound on record is appreciably, well, almost retro, in an era when such realism is much less the norm. Adult top 40, which is charmed by Goo Goo Dolls and Rob Thomas, should have no problem making room for an act that sounds as vital as ever. Billboard
