Semisonic - All About Chemistry (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Get A Grip

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 04/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, so I bought the UK version with the two extra songs. My take on Semisonic's third cd is that it's more pop than their previous two and that it works. The only shortcoming I found was upon repeated listenings it's too poppy, catchy, simple, whatever you like to call it. This can lead to a premature listening burnout. I collect quite a bit of music each year and I have to say that "All About Chemistry" is a solid pop cd. There are plenty of catchy and memorable songs like "Chemistry", "Act Naturally", "Sunshine & Chocolate", "Get A Grip" and on the UK version, the bonus song "Girlfriend". I have a feeling that radio, record company and the average listening audience is going to overlook this nice cd. I haven't seen a video nor heard any songs on our radio stations here. It's a shame because it seems that Semisonic have something to offer that's fresh. It's worth getting the import with the pink chemistry beakers on the cover and the two extra tracks "Girlfriend" and "Ordinary Life"."

Album of the Year

nowhereman | America | 11/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All great bands make at least one major leap in their careers. Those rare bands that create masterpieces sometimes do so unexpectedly. Such is the case with Semisonic. Before "All About Chemistry" Semisonic executed moments of great promise. There were songs on each of their first two albums that suggested the band were capable of clever hooks at the least and perhaps more. I, for one, did not realize the songwriting genius that was brewing inside of Dan Wilson; and I definitely did not expect the band to put together an album of songs which all work together the way these twelve do."All About Chemistry" is a rare album where every track is top-notch in all the ways in which one can measure greatness. Fans who wanted another 'Closing Time' from the album won't find it here. The songwriting is truly original; Dan Wilson has created wonderful textures and moving pop-symphonies in the tradition of another great songwriter from California, Brian Wilson. 'Act Naurally' and 'She's Got My Number' are both stand-out tracks. However, Wilson ups the ante on the second half of the album. 'Who's Stopping You' and 'I Wish' succesfully provide a build-up which culminates in the wonderful collaboration with Carole King on 'One True Love.'Semisonic realize exactly what is needed on each song on the album. Their choices of instruments are never too sparse nor too embellished. 'Get a grip' is perfectly articulated on the electric guitar. And in the finale, 'El Matador' it becomes evident that there is more songwriting talent in the band besides Wilson's. Like "Pet Sounds," This album contains a great cycle of songs which can be enjoyed separately, but they are more effectively appreciated together in sequence. This is the most well-concieved album of the year; and again, like "Pet Sounds" it is an album that I suspect will be better understood years down the road when it is has survived the test of time."

Very pleasing effort

synch | Escanaba, Michigan USA | 04/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't usually write reviews, but I felt it necessary to contradict bologna4's statements. I bought this album on a whim, having only sort of liked Feeling Strangely Fine (to be exact, I love five songs on it, and hate the rest).Are Feeling Strangely Fine and All About Chemistry the same album? Most definitely not. I think the latter is better. Though the energetic rock vibe that make "Closing Time" and "Singing In My Sleep" so classic is sacrificed to a degree, it's all for the sake of maturation. While surely the radio-friendly "Chemistry," "Sunshine & Chocolate" and "Get A Grip" (all, along with several other tracks on the album, alluding heavily to the maturity and immaturity of sex) will be the more popular of the album, I disagree.The ballads "Act Naturally," "She's Got My Number" and "One True Love" are already classics in my book. There's also a hint of experimentation with the moody "Bed" and out-of-tempo-but-still-cool "Who's Stopping You?" However, by far my favorite track is the drummer-written-but-guitarist-sung "El Matador," who's lyrical and musical maturity is something you will find nothing like on Feeling Strangely Fine or Great Divide.In conclusion, don't be like me and write this album off as a sell-out follow-up of a one-hit wonder. It's a lot more, and worth fifteen bucks. It hasn't left my CD player in the past two weeks."

This was my introduction to Semisonic

R. Graham | Tulsa, OK USA | 04/06/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had no clue these were the guys who did "Closing Time"....not that I am particularly found of that song. I hadn't heard anything else by them either. So maybe I was at an advantage coming to this album with no expectations.It came up as a recommendation on Amazon and I gave it a listen.This has quickly become a CD that I can pop in, hit play, and let it go the whole way through.Every track has something I like.So, maybe now I will explore the rest of their albums and see just what the other reviewers liked in the previous releases and didn't find here.If you're like me and have little or no previous experience with Semisonic, ignore the reviews that wax nostalgic and listen for yourself."

Not bad, but not the best

Adam Steinbaugh | Boulder, CO USA | 04/04/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Semisonic's departure from the lyrical style of a "secret between two people" is disappointing, considering the quality of the new lyrics, fashioned to resemble a "party". While the album does have its high points ("Matador" is just as good as anything off "Feeling Strangely Fine" or its predecessors, "One True Love" is sweet and "Chemistry" is reminiscent of the recently departed Ben Folds Five), the poor lyrics of songs like "Bed" destroy any credibility the music might have presented (the opening sequence of "Bed" is particularly catchy).Semisonic falls back on cliches like "when the party is through there are always a few with nobody to do" which, despite their mildly humorous superficial outlook, are encountered as pathetic and embarassing after a few listens. The band's intelligent, introspective lyrics of the past are more or less gone from this album (aside from "Matador").Musically, the album is head and shoulders above most others on the market. There are the usual Semisonic hooks, drawing more and more on the piano rather than their trademark guitar. Even these hooks, however, can't live up to the simple progressions from songs like "Sing..." off of "Feeling Strangely Fine".The album is good, overall, but it doesn't live up to Semisonic's past work and draws too heavily on the idea of being "at a party" rather than simply writing good lyrics. This is a musically inspired album killed by unsophisticated lyrics."

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