| Semisonic - All About Chemistry |
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| Music Disc Reviews Audio CD | |
| Written by Brian Kahn | |
| Tuesday, 06 March 2001 | |
MCA Records, 2001 | Performance 7 | Sound 6 | Semisonic’s latest album All About Chemistry continues the theme of interpersonal relations established by their 1998 hit song "Closing Time" from their last release, Feeling Strangely Fine. All About Chemistry is this Minneapolis-based trio’s third album. Dan Wilson’s somewhat cliched lyrics make the familiar comparison between relationships and chemistry experiments, commenting on the unpredictability of both. Remarkably, Wilson’s lyrics are catchy and depict the trials and tribulations within all relationships without becoming overly tedious, despite the much-visited subject matter. All About Chemistry seems to hit all the right pop spots and has a decent chance of gaining the attention this band deserves. While most mainstream pop music fans will fondly remember Closing Time, few will remember anything else from Semisonic’s previous album. The band surely hopes to obtain more recognition from their latest release than just one track. Happily, All About Chemistry will likely appeal not only to Semisonic fans, but also to fans of Smashmouth and Ben Folds Five, as All About Chemistry contains elements strongly reminiscent of both acts. Semisonic incorporates elements from these other bands with their own inevitable style to create an album filled with strong melodies and heartfelt vocals. The problem with the album, like past Semisonic albums, is that it does not reach out and grab you. The Semisonic albums are enjoyable to listen to, but they are unlikely to snare one’s attention for very long. This is unfortunate, as it means that many are likely to miss out on this band’s charm. The album’s mix of upbeat numbers, such as the opening track "Chemistry" and "Sunshine and Chocolate," are skillfully mixed with slower tunes, such as "She’s Got my Number," in a manner that brings the listener along with the band exploring the ups and downs of love and life. During the four or five times I listed to All About Chemistry, I found that the recording did little to get in the way of the songs, but it did nothing to enhance the experience, either. The recording quality was adequate but left me wanting more. Especially during the Ben Folds Five-ish "She’s Got My Number," one could sense that there was more going on than what was captured in the recording process. All About Chemistry is a well-written pop offering with solid yet understated instrumentals. Those who are not yet sick of songs based upon romantic relationships will probably not be immediately captivated, but after a few complete listens, they may grow to appreciate and enjoy this album. Like this article? Bookmark and share with any of the sites below.        |
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