Congratulations… I'm Sorry

Infobox Album |
Name = Congratulations… I'm Sorry
Type = Album
Artist = Gin Blossoms


Background = Orange
Released = February 13, 1996
Recorded = Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee; Vintage Recorders, Phoenix, Arizona
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 44:29
Label = A&M
Producer = Gin Blossoms, John Hampton
Reviews =
*Allmusic:Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jc6atr2qkl3x~T1 link]
Last album = "New Miserable Experience" (1992)
This album = "Congratulations… I'm Sorry" (1996)
Next album = "Major Lodge Victory" (2006)

"Congratulations… I'm Sorry" was the Gin Blossoms' follow-up album to the successful "New Miserable Experience", released in 1996 by A&M records. The album was named in reference to the success of 1992's "New Miserable Experience", followed so closely by the suicide of former band member Doug Hopkins in 1993.

Reaction to "Congratulations… I'm Sorry" was mixed, with some critics feeling that the music lay too close to the sound of the previous album. One common complaint was that the album lacked the successful 1995 single "Til I Hear It From You" from the "Empire Records" soundtrack. The album eventually reached platinum status.

Track listing

#"Day Job" (Johnson, Leen, Rhodes, Valenzuela, Wilson) – 3:51
#"Highwire" (Wilson) – 2:24
#"Follow You Down" (Johnson, Leen, Rhodes, Valenzuela, Wilson) – 4:30
#"Not Only Numb" (Rhodes, Wilson) – 3:06
#"As Long as It Matters" (Rhodes, Valenzuela, Wilson) – 4:31
#"Perfectly Still" (Johnson, Leen) – 4:05
#"7th Inning Stretch" – 0:14
#"My Car" (Valenzuela) – 4:17
#"Virginia" (Valenzuela) – 4:02
#"Whitewash" (Leen, Wilson) – 3:19
#"I Can't Figure You Out" (Valenzuela) – 3:18
#"Memphis Time" (Johnson, Valenzuela) – 3:14
#"Competition Smile" (Rhodes, Wilson) – 4:47

There is also a hidden track following the last song.

Excluded songs

Among tracks excluded from the album are "Seeing Stars," a song written by lead singer Robin Wilson about the band's ex-lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, and 1995's hit "Til I Hear It From You" The latter was released as a single, and the former was included as a B-side on the "Follow You Down" single, along with Wilson's "Idiot Summer" from the soundtrack of "Wayne's World 2".

Response

Critical

"People" magazine called the album "a quick fix for any dark mood," continuing, "the songs are so upbeat they almost conjure sunny summer afternoons." [Tomashoff, Craig (1996-02-26), "Congratulations I'm Sorry". "People". 45 (8):23]

Commercial

Chart performance

Personnel

Gin Blossoms
*Scott Johnson - guitar, background vocals
*Bill Leen - bass, background vocals
*Phillip Rhodes - percussion, drums, background vocals
*Jesse Valenzuela - guitar, vocals
*Robin Wilson - acoustic guitar, vocals

Additional personnel
*Art Neville - Hammond organ
*Rick Steff - accordion
*Robby Turner - pedal steel guitar

Production

*Producers: Gin Blossoms, John Hampton
*Engineers: Erik Flettrich, John Hampton, Billy Siegle
*Assistant engineer: Billy Moss
*Mixing: John Hampton
*Mastering: Dave Collins
*Pre-production: Billy Siegle
*Direction: Bill Graham
*Art direction: Robin Wilson
*Design: Karen Walker, Robin Wilson
*Photography: Danny Clinch, Robin Wilson
*Cover photo: Robin Wilson

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)

References