Review
I've gotta tell you, 'Cracked Rear View' by Hootie & the Blowfish is one of those albums that just takes me back. Released in the summer of '94, it was like a breath of fresh air in the midst of all that grunge. Don't get me wrong, I love a good flannel shirt, but sometimes you just want something a little more... upbeat, you know?
What really gets me about this album is how it manages to be both simple and powerful at the same time. Songs like 'Hold My Hand' and 'Let Her Cry' have these hooks that just stick with you. And Darius Rucker's voice? It's got this gritty quality that adds so much depth to their straightforward songs. It's like comfort food for your ears.
But here's the thing - this album wasn't just a flash in the pan. These guys worked their butts off, touring all over the place. They'd already built up a following in South Carolina, but they kept at it, playing show after show. And it paid off big time. The album sold over 20 million copies worldwide and topped the Billboard 200 chart multiple times in '95. Not too shabby for a band that some critics initially dismissed as 'aggressively normal,' right? Just goes to show, sometimes what people really want is good, solid rock with heart. - Jennifer
