"Alright, folks. You see the tracklist. You know exactly what's on it. Don't go complaining that there's no new stuff when you were already made aware of that.The point of this CD was not to release anything left in the vaults. That was what NICO was and it really is considered their last official album. Apart from some brief and really touching liner notes from the band, this is basically a compilation put together by Capitol. Much like Nick Drake, Sublime, and countless others, Blind Melon only got REALLY noticed after the lead singer died. (It's unfortunate, but it happens all the time.) VH1's Blind Melon Behind The Music got them even more attention and this compilation is a perfect starting place for anyone who saw that show and was curious to hear more from the band that brought them "No Rain". After hearing this sampler, they might be prompted to delve into their catalog. THAT was why this compilation got released.Now onto why I like the album. It's great to have another product come out by the band, and I barely knew of this one being released, so it was a pleasant surprise. It also seems like a rarity (at least for now) and that's always cool. What I like best is that it was Digitally Remastered in 24bit sound from the original sources, so the sound is clearer and more dynamic. When it gets quiet it's so silent, and when it's loud it's HUGE! It's noticeable from the moment "Tones Of Home" begins. My only two suggestions would be that maybe they could have taken more advantage of the 24bit format and filled up more of the CD. I would have liked to have heard "I Wonder" because it has to be my favorite Blind Melon song. I would have also liked to have heard "Sleepyhouse" because that song is so beautiful as it is and hearing it on here would have made it totally surreal.But those aren't complaints, those are just my own personal preferences. I knew exactly what I was buying and frankly I wanted to have it in my Blind Melon collection. You "fans" get over yourselves and just enjoy the music already."
Thank the Lord for Blind Melon
Nikki Woulfe | Kentucky | 05/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay here it is folks, you can't have a new album when there is nothing new to release. Shannon is gone, but he left behind a legacy of wonderful, soul twisting, mind blowing music. I have been a Melonhead for about nine years. This is the closest we are going to get to a "best of" album. This album was released, and is named for, Shannon's daughter Nico Blue. Most of the proceeds go to her benifit. She lost her father but the band continues to honor him. The band attempted to do other things without Shannon, but have since gone their seperate ways. We aren't getting any new stuff from Blind Melon. Deal with it. All four albums released are EXCELLENT. Anyone who was looking to just pick up an album for "No Rain" is in for a shock. Blind Melon's music is the only CD's that I have ever owned that I didn't skip even one track. If you are looking for just a little more Blind Melon, look on the SchoolHouse Rocks album, they did "Three is the Magic Number" which was beautiful. There are also some rare and jam outtakes on the internet, but nothing in the way of an album."
Heartening, but falls short
David R. Munson | Chicago, IL, United States | 07/14/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I find it very heartening that a new volume of Blind Melon's songs would be released. A volume of remastered songs at that. This album features some of the best Blind Melon songs, and indeed if you listen carefully with the right equipment, one can indeed hear a little improvement in sound quality. All that said, however, I find this album offers little new for a fan already familiar with the majority of their work. As a primer for a new fan, I think it would serve very well to introduce one to some of the musical accomplishments of arguably one of the most talented musical groups of the indie rock movement of the early '90s, Blind Melon."
If You Are Tired of Top 40 [junk], Try This...
D. Buxman | Pueblo, CO United States | 06/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Blind Melon produced some of the most innovative and thought provoking music of the early 90's and this is a great collection. Shannon Hoon's voice has the magical ability to transmit complex emotions and it is such a shame that he is no longer with us. Blind Melon holds up well with the passage of time and this is a terrific album"
Blind Melon Fans- Don't hesitate!
cris1201 | Garwood, NJ United States | 01/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A great album for fans and those who want to become more familiar with this band whose career ended too soon. The songs are a great collection and are perfect to put on and remember how great Blind Melon truly was."