New Miserable Experience
Encyclopedia
New Miserable Experience is the breakthrough album by pop-rock band the Gin Blossoms
, released on August 4, 1992. The album was released to little fanfare and relatively lackluster reviews. However, nearly a year after its release, lead single
"Hey Jealousy
" ascended into the top 40, with "Found Out About You
" following a few months later. The album eventually reached multi-platinum status.
Guitarist Doug Hopkins
was fired near the conclusion of the recording sessions for the album, ostensibly for his persistent alcohol problems. (His replacement, Scott Johnson, is listed as a member of the band in the liner notes, but did not play on the album.) Just as the album was becoming a success at the end of 1993, Hopkins committed suicide
.
New Miserable Experiences initial release contained completely different packaging. The album's original cover artwork depicted the Arizona desert, the background behind which the band began. Songs on the album, such as "Mrs. Rita," a song about a local psychic from the Gin Blossoms' hometown of Tempe, Arizona
, were also written with references to the area, people, and events surrounding the band at the time. The majority of songs rely on a melody-driven pop
style while the final track, "Cheatin'," leans into country
. The album was re-released in its current form in the late summer of 1993, in conjunction with A&M's newfound support of the album. To celebrate the album's tenth anniversary, a deluxe edition containing an extra disc of demos
, outtakes and live performances was released by the label in 2002.
praised the album, saying it "sounds both fresh and highly personal." Allmusic called the album " a tight and lean collection of brilliant, edgy pop music."
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Original 1992 release:
Gin Blossoms
Gin Blossoms is an American pop rock band formed in 1987, in Tempe, Arizona. They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms", referring to what appeared to be the actor's gin-ravaged nose, but was actually a skin condition known as rosacea...
, released on August 4, 1992. The album was released to little fanfare and relatively lackluster reviews. However, nearly a year after its release, lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
"Hey Jealousy
Hey Jealousy
"Hey Jealousy" is a song by the Gin Blossoms. The song was included in the group's debut album Dusted , and then was re-recorded on their breakthrough 1992 album New Miserable Experience. It was written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band shortly after the recording of the...
" ascended into the top 40, with "Found Out About You
Found Out About You
"Found Out About You" is the fourth single from the Gin Blossoms' second album New Miserable Experience, recorded in 1992. Written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band after the album, the Gin Blossoms had previously recorded it on their 1989 debut album Dusted...
" following a few months later. The album eventually reached multi-platinum status.
Guitarist Doug Hopkins
Doug Hopkins
Douglas "Doug" Hopkins was an American musician and songwriter from Tempe, Arizona. He co-founded the Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s, with Richard Taylor...
was fired near the conclusion of the recording sessions for the album, ostensibly for his persistent alcohol problems. (His replacement, Scott Johnson, is listed as a member of the band in the liner notes, but did not play on the album.) Just as the album was becoming a success at the end of 1993, Hopkins committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
New Miserable Experiences initial release contained completely different packaging. The album's original cover artwork depicted the Arizona desert, the background behind which the band began. Songs on the album, such as "Mrs. Rita," a song about a local psychic from the Gin Blossoms' hometown of Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, were also written with references to the area, people, and events surrounding the band at the time. The majority of songs rely on a melody-driven pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
style while the final track, "Cheatin'," leans into country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. The album was re-released in its current form in the late summer of 1993, in conjunction with A&M's newfound support of the album. To celebrate the album's tenth anniversary, a deluxe edition containing an extra disc of demos
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, outtakes and live performances was released by the label in 2002.
Track listing
- "Lost HorizonsLost Horizons (Gin Blossoms song)Lost Horizons" is the opening track of New Miserable Experience by the Gin Blossoms. Written by Doug Hopkins, the song has an autobiographical ring to it. As detailed in "Jesus of Suburbia," Hopkins was a fatality of alcoholism and personal demons...
" (Hopkins) – 3:20 - "Hey JealousyHey Jealousy"Hey Jealousy" is a song by the Gin Blossoms. The song was included in the group's debut album Dusted , and then was re-recorded on their breakthrough 1992 album New Miserable Experience. It was written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band shortly after the recording of the...
" (Hopkins) – 3:56 - "Mrs. Rita" (Swafford, Valenzuela) – 4:25
- "Until I Fall AwayUntil I Fall Away"Until I Fall Away" is a single from the Gin Blossoms. It reached #13 on the modern rock chart in 1993....
" (Valenzuela, Wilson) – 3:51 - "Hold Me Down" (Hopkins, Wilson) – 4:50
- "Cajun Song" (Valenzuela) – 2:56
- "Hands Are Tied" (Valenzuela) – 3:17
- "Found Out About YouFound Out About You"Found Out About You" is the fourth single from the Gin Blossoms' second album New Miserable Experience, recorded in 1992. Written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band after the album, the Gin Blossoms had previously recorded it on their 1989 debut album Dusted...
" (Hopkins) – 3:53 - "Allison RoadAllison Road-History:In 1989, Robin Wilson passed by a sign on his way to El Paso that read "Next Exit Allison Road." His friend with whom he was riding had a sister named Allison, and so they stopped to take a picture. Five months later, Wilson had the picture and was bored...
" (Wilson) – 3:18 - "29" (Valenzuela) – 4:18
- "Pieces of the Night" (Hopkins) – 4:33
- "Cheatin'" (Hopkins, Valenzuela) – 3:25
Critical reception
Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
praised the album, saying it "sounds both fresh and highly personal." Allmusic called the album " a tight and lean collection of brilliant, edgy pop music."
Chart performance
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Heatseekers | 1 |
| The Billboard 200 | 30 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Hey Jealousy" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 25 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 20 | ||
| "Found Out About You" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 5 | |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 1 | ||
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 25 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 6 | ||
| "Mrs. Rita" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 36 | |
| 1994 | "Until I Fall Away" | Adult Contemporary | 23 |
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 40 | ||
| Modern Rock Tracks | 13 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 13 | ||
| "Allison Road" | Modern Rock Tracks | 39 | |
| 1995 | "Found Out About You" | Adult Top 40 | 38 |
Personnel
- Bill LeenBill LeenBill Leen is a bass player from Tempe, Arizona. He is a member of the band Gin Blossoms, which he co-founded in 1987 with his longtime friend Doug Hopkins....
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Phillip Rhodes - percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Jesse ValenzuelaJesse ValenzuelaJesse Valenzuela was the original vocalist of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms when it was formed in 1987. In 1988, he switched roles with the band's new guitarist, Robin Wilson. He continued to be a member until the band's breakup in 1997, and reunited with the rest of the group in 2002...
- guitars, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, background vocals - Robin WilsonRobin Wilson (musician)Robin Wilson is an American musician, most notable for his work as the lead vocalist of the rock band, Gin Blossoms.-Career:...
- acoustic guitar, VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Doug HopkinsDoug HopkinsDouglas "Doug" Hopkins was an American musician and songwriter from Tempe, Arizona. He co-founded the Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s, with Richard Taylor...
- guitars - Robert Becker - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Until I Fall Away" and "Pieces of the Night" - C. J. ChenierC. J. ChenierC. J. Chenier C. J. Chenier C. J. Chenier (born Clayton Joseph Thompson, September 28, 1957, Port Arthur, Texas, is the Creole son of the Grammy Award winning "King of Zydeco", Louisiana musician, Clifton Chenier. In 1987, Chenier followed in his father's footsteps, and led his father's band as an...
- accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
on "Cajun Song" - Robby Turner - pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
on "Cheatin, & Cajun Song'"
Production
- Producers: Gin Blossoms, John Hampton
- Engineer: John Hampton
- Assistant Engineer: James "Left Of" Senter
- Mixing: John Hampton
- Mastering: George Marino
- Art direction: Barrie Goshko
- Design: Barrie Goshko
- Photography: Jay Blakesberg, Robin Wilson
- Crew: Jim Coleman, Scott Guess, Mike Chappell
- Recorded at: Ardent Studios (Memphis, TN), except: Allison Road and Mrs. Rita, recorded at: AB Recorders (Phoenix, AZ.) By: Andy Barret
Original 1992 release:
- Art direction & design: Rowan Moore
- Photography: Dennis Keeley
- Radiator: Kelly Ray