Musical Chairs [Australia]

• Artist: Hootie & the Blowfish
• Rating:
• Release Date: December 08, 1998
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Although Hootie & the Blowfish delivered a fine second album, they had no hope of matching the phenomenal success of their debut, Cracked Rear View, so Fairweather Johnson was perceived as a flop, even though it moved over two million copies. In a way, that perception of failure was the best thing that could have happened to the band. With the spotlight being shone somewhere else (Alanis Morissette, to be exact), Hootie & the Blowfish could return to what they loved best -- playing music and being in a band. Musical Chairs, the group's third album, illustrates what a blessing it was for the group. Despite a couple of production flourishes, such as the occasional horn section and strings, it's no breakthrough or stylistic departure -- it's simply a well-made album, filled with catchy tunes. In other words, it's exactly like their first two records, but the performances are more kinetic and fun than on Fairweather Johnson, and the songs are arguably as consistent as those on Cracked Rear View. That's why Musical Chairs feels a bit like a comeback, but it really shouldn't be viewed that way -- it's just a consolidation of their talents and further proof that Hootie & the Blowfish are a fine mainstream pop/rock band. [Musical Chairs is also available in an import release.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I Will Wait	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:14)
Wishing	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(2:48)
Las Vegas Nights	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:05)
Only Lonely	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:38)
Answer Man	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(3:22)
Michelle Post	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(2:20)
Bluesy Revolution	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:46)
Home Again	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:07)
One by One	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(3:50)
Desert Mountain Showdown	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(2:45)
What's Going on Here	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:36)
What Do You Want from Me Now	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(3:43)
Closet Full of Fear [*]	Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber	Hootie & the Blowfish	(3:20)
Driver 8 [*]	Peter Buck, Mike Mills	Hootie & the Blowfish	(4:28)

Credits

Bruce Dukov (Violin), Hootie & the Blowfish (Main Performer), Robert Becker (Violin), Robert Becker (Viola), Mark Bryan (Banjo), Mark Bryan (Guitar), Mark Bryan (Vocals (Background)), Larry Corbett (Cello), Susan Cowsill (Vocals), Joel Derouin (Violin), Don Gehman (Producer), Don Gehman (Engineer), Don Gehman (Mixing), Peter Holsapple (Dobro), Peter Holsapple (Guitar), Peter Holsapple (Mandolin), Peter Holsapple (Piano), Peter Holsapple (Accordion), Peter Holsapple (Guitar (Electric)), David Leonard (Mixing), John Nau (Harmonica), John Nau (Piano), John Nau (Organ (Hammond)), John Nau (Wurlitzer), John Nau (Vox Jaguar), Patrick Warren (Chamberlin), LeRoi Moore (Sax (Alto)), LeRoi Moore (Sax (Soprano)), Gena Maria Rankin (Vocals), Boyd Tinsley (Violin), Suzie Katayama (Cello), Doug Trantow (Engineer), Doug Trantow (Mixing), Benjamin Niles (Art Direction), Benjamin Niles (Design), Norman Jean Roy (Photography), Roger Sommers (Assistant Engineer), Darius Rucker (Guitar), Darius Rucker (Mandolin), Darius Rucker (Vocals), Jim Sonefeld (Bass), Jim Sonefeld (Percussion), Jim Sonefeld (Drums), Jim Sonefeld (Vocals (Background)), Dean Felber (Guitar (Acoustic)), Dean Felber (Bass), Dean Felber (Guitar), Dean Felber (Vocals (Background)), Helen Mitchell (Stylist), Rachel Purkin (Violin), Gary Greene (Percussion), Curt Kroeger (Assistant Engineer)