Disco de Hootie & The Blowfish: “Scattered, Smothered and Covered”

I think I enjoy this album more than any other by Hootie and the Blowfish, partly because it sounds more like the band I used to see in tiny bars than any of their three studio albums. Some of these tunes have been concert staples, and some are songs I never thought Hootie would play. But the album works well because the band places interesting interpretations on just about every track. All of these songs sound as if they could be original Blowfish compositions - I'm sure many fans have heard "Fine Line" and "I Go Blind" through the years and never even knew they were covers. Beautiful female backing vocals are everywhere, including the incredible Nanci Griffith. The band's take on "Driver 8" is hauntingly intense and the rocking version of "Use Me" is far superior to the old b-side live cut from way back when.

I think this album appeals not just to the die-hard Hootie fans, but also to anyone who likes rock and roll. I also think it is a more accesible album than anything since _Cracked Rear View_. As long as they are putting out albums, I will buy them, but I can guarantee this one will spend much more time in my cd player than _Musical Chairs_ did. In fact, it's been hard to take out all week long!

I felt a little too serious by using the word "timeless" in my title for this review. Simple fact is, that word describes these songs. On this disc Hootie covers some of their favorite songs; some of them are instantly recognizable while others are very obscure. This is a great disc for a road trip. The whole package flows and the songs showcase the talent and vibe of Hootie and the Blowfish. The commercial success may (or may not) have taken a backseat to the "parental advisory" segment of the music-world, but Hootie is still doing what they do best: making music for people to enjoy.

I first saw these guys in college at a fraternity party when they worked for beer. Although they've grown up and found sucess, they have finally come back to what got us all on the band wagon (no pun intended) from the get go. Too bad they didn't include 'Love The One You're With', which any true old school Hootie fan knows was the final encore song back in the day. 'Fine Line' is a great tune that actually got some limited country play but never made it out on anything released by the band. Darius definitely does 'Driver 8' justice with his raspy rendition. Those of you not familiar with the Carolinas and who are also curious about the title. I have two words for you WAFFLE HOUSE !

An album that at first appears somewhat more eclectic than your average Hootie album. After a time of listening to it, the disparate styles of music, which cross from full-on bouncy pop (Araby) to mellow classics (Hey Hey What Can I Do?) to country (Fine Line) to golden oldies (Dream Baby), seem somewhat helter skelter in their scattering throughout this album. Yet after a while, the album seems to pick up a flow that almost begins to make complete sense. Sure, the styling is somewhat random, but the musical quality of the tracks selected, including a soulful live cut (I Hope I don't Fall in Love With You) allows the listener to enjoy the fullest range of Hootie's distinctive and easily identifiable sound. I am purchasing this album for a second time, since continuous play of the first copy left it so badly scratched that I am forced to purchase a second copy to make up for the unplayability of the first. I rate this album as perhaps the very best of all of Hootie's albums.

Finally, a collection of the stuff that for whatever reason, didn't make the original albums, or wound up scattered (get the title now?) over various soundtracks or import versions of the albums...all in one place. The band has been doing 54-40's "I Go Blind" for years. in fact it was recorded back during the Cracked Rear View sessions...appeared on the Friends TV soundtrack...Use Me has been a concert tune for a long time too...nice to see these and all the other songs together that up until this album have been a case of get 'em where you can find 'em. Thanks guys...and thanks for continuing to be consistently excellent...for those of you who STILL (!) aren't familiar with these guys, get their new Best Of collection...and this one...then go out and grab Cracked Rear View...and then the rest of 'em!