Wear Splinter Proof Attire- We are going Tree Hugging (Blind Melon - Blind Melon)

Member Name: DedeMW

Product:	Blind Melon - Blind Melon
Date:	06/05/02 (363 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Feel like a hippy without having to frolic through the meadow

Disadvantages: Another band tore apart by drug addiction- R.I.P.

I think it can be agreed upon that music is powerful. Music can be a drug that can change your feelings. Blind Melon, a band ruined by drugs, is a drug whose music alters the way you feel. It is something in their music that spreads and sucks you in. I am not one who knows about or has experienced true blues music, but from what I hear, I feel safe to say that Blind Melon will give the same type of experience one could expect listening to authentic blues music.

Blind Melon takes you on a journey in their music. In one song you might feel like you are an artsy one tapping your toe in a coffee house. The next you are a naked hippy running through the field at Woodstock and then you might find yourself feeling like you are stuck inside the house watching rain collect in the puddles. Blind Melon has folklore power and warm beautiful harmonies that will make you feel like the world is really at peace. If you are prone to road rage, listen to this album when you drive. Instead of running grandma white wig off the road, you may find yourself flashing the peace sign as she meanders unaware into your lane of traffic.

Some Melon History-
In 1990 Shannon Hoon moved to L.A. seeking a career as a rock singer. The rest is history as Blind Melon was formed-
Shannon Hoon - Vocals
Brad Smith - bass guitar, double bass, flute, backing vocals
Glen Graham - drums, percussion
Christopher Thorn- guitar, mandolin, banjo, lap steel
Rogers Stevens - guitar, piano

Blind Melon's raw folk like sounds are due in part to the diversity of instruments, shown above, that blend together with Shannon's honest vocals. Their first release, Blind Melon was followed with success on the 1994 Woodstock tour and a later album release titled Soup. That was to be their last album as a group as Hoon's tragic death in 1995 from an accidental cocaine overdose abruptly put an end to the band. The music world lost a lyrical genius on that day.
Since then, a collection of tracks was later released as a gift to Hoon's daughter, who was only 13 weeks old when he passed. The album is named after her- Nico.

First release: Blind Melon
Soak the Sin
Tone of Home
I Wonder
Paper Scratcher
Dear Ol' Dad
Change
No Rain
Deserted
Sleepy House
Holyman
Seed to a Tree
Drive
Time

Soak the Sin-
The album starter represents a soulful rock sound with excellent melodies roaring from the guitars. If country, rock and funk could ever breed and produce the perfect child, this would be it. There are hints all of three hidden in here.

Tone of Home-
This is one of my favorite songs on this album both because of its sound and because of its meaning.
"Tones of home
Said you don't like the way I'm living
You don't like me"

The classic "I am trying to find myself and you don't understand me" rebel song. However, the lyrics are deep and meaningful unlike the "so screw off" reply to the dilemma that would be found in most other rock songs. Shannon sings this one with all his heart and the beat is just one that needs to be heard.

I Wonder-
A slow song from Blind Melon that just cries "Let's sit in an open field, strum our guitars, and get emotional about life", but I LOVE IT! The song just has that effect on you and you can't fight it. Folk rock music- that is the best way I can explain it.
"Hey I'd like to daze away to a place no one has known
In a state of mind I could call mine and only I could own
Where I can hum a tune any time I choose and there's no such thing as time
Where I can feel no pain just calm and sane what a place for one to find"
Simply beautiful!

Paper Scratcher-
If I had to pick a favorite, this song would be it. Harmonizing is a strong suit of Blind Me
lon and this song displays that talent best. All the incorporating instruments are soul mates in this song and blend together beautifully. The ranges of Shannon's singing just tops it all off.

Dear Ol' Dad-
Fast rolling beats that blend in with the next change-up sew this song together. This is another song that gives you an underlying country tone. Walking barefoot along a dirt country road would be the most appropriate thing to be doing while listening to this song. Having beads adoring your neck along with hair that hasn't been cut in years will add to this effect.

The lyrics in this one are a bit confusing. I am not sure that I have found the true meaning of this song. I do not think it is simply an ode to Dear Ol' Dad.
Now I know I'm always right, that's a thought that never even crossed my mind
"Don't touch me there I've got to be pure
So smack that hand and read this verse
So I wrecked your life what the heck
My new found faith will pay by check
This lifes took a toll on my soul"

Change-
If you listen to this song alone on a rainy day, you may just find yourself tearing up. The warm soulful tones found in Blind Melon have that effect on you. The slow pecking of the guitars along with Shannon's heartfelt words in this song could cause a PMS like moment in everyone.
"I don't feel the suns coming out today
It's staying in, it's gonna find another way"

No Rain-
If there was a song that introduced you to Blind Melon it was mostly likely No Rain. Everyone remembers this happy song featuring the happy kid video that ran around freely in the bumble bee suit. This is yet another tune that is full of harmony from the Blind Meloners that may also inspire you to run around amok in your favorite animal suit.
Come on- I am sure some of you sick people have animal suits in your closets!
"All I can say
is that my life is pretty plain
You don't like my point of view
Ya think that I'm insane
Its not sane... its not sane"

Deserted-
This song sure has a good beat, but the lyrics display one who feels smothered, yet alone.. hmmm? This seems like a song written by confused hippies. Yep- that would be true Blind Melon.
"I don't know what I've gotten into
But I'm glad that its now instead of sooner
This desert heat has crowded me strong..
With a wish I had for winter
...And the sand blew in my eyes"

Sleepy House-
This is the only song that I am usually guilty of hitting the skip button on. There isn't anything bad about the singing or the overall music; it is just the tempo- very slow and dragging. I am impatient. Just get to the point!

Holyman-
The lyrics in this song tell of a story of someone that was stalked by a persistent bible thumper.
"I met a holyman who said that he knew the way
And he'd like to show me so my life won't go astray
Take my hand child now little boy don't you be afraid
I'll take your soul and walk on water"

The song becomes a battle between the 2-
"Older man he said I'll tell you boy you've planted rotten seeds
And in a land of happiness
They'll grow us evil trees"
-VS-
"Holyman- I tell you man you gotta believe in what you see
Cause its you who corrupt us man and deep throat philosophy
I don't need your spells or the little games ya try to pull on me
Come to think of it I don't need your religion"

Hey a fight and a rocking tune! I am surely in.
Who's Shirley?

Seed to a Tree-
A decent song, but not a favorite- Seed to a Tree drags a bit to me as well. However, there are some nice sounds created here that should be experienced. There are some deep lyrics as well
that make me wonder if they are really that confusing or if the drugs moved the pencil when this one was created.
"As I shi*, I sit and wonder why
My floor is so cold and my back broken tired
But life is good even though it won't be long
With a candle comes emotions that dance with the shadows on my wall"

Drive-
Another song that makes you feel like you are reading a book of tales.
"Now theres so many things that he's gonna do
In 5 lifetimes hell I couldnt do em all
Yeah and while he's rolling his own smokes
He says to me he's buying a new ride today
A classic deal the boss will give
He said the same thing two weeks ago"

This song is oh so warm. Light a candle and embrace the hippy aura.

Time-
This is another song about being judged by others who do so because "they don't understand". Of course you are a rock star who wants to be alone behind your shades stoned on success- a true Blind Melon I assume.
"Are you fed up, are you fed up with me?
Do you think that you could do better?
Do I think that I know better?
Do they think that they know better?"

So there it is folks- A rainy day with nothing to do, but housework. So of course I spent it with my Blind Melon CD and I just had to pass the suggestion on to you.

Some tidbits I found while researching-
-Shannon's death was voted 3rd most depressing thing to happen in music in 1995 in Kerrang! Magazine.
-Shannon was voted as one of the top ten Sexiest Rockers of 1994 in Playgirl magazine
-Blind Melon's debut album has sold approximately 4 million copies worldwide. It reached number 3 on the U.S.A. Billboard top 200 in 1992 and went triple platinum in the U.S.A.

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