“Closing Time” wasn’t their only great song – Semisonic Top 10

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As a child of the ’90s and a lover of alternative rock, I find myself utterly captivated by the music of Semisonic. Their masterpiece, “Feeling Strangely Fine,” has been a staple in my musical diet for years now. The way they seamlessly blend keyboards, guitars, and vocals to create such an authentic and magical experience is truly unparalleled.

From my perspective, the song “Closing Time” narrates a common occurrence that unfolds around 1:45am, as the establishment enforces its final call. The ambiance shifts, the lights flicker on, and we’re compelled to swiftly devise our next course of action.

Few enduring one-hit wonders continue to resonate within mainstream culture, but “Closing Time” has managed to persist due to its frequent play at bars and clubs nationwide at 1:45am. Additionally, it gained significant cultural recognition as a plot element in an episode of The Office.

fundamentally, the song holds a sentimental bond for us due to its melodies, guitar patterns, and words that beautifully express feelings in a musical context.

Since the band didn’t achieve significant success with their other songs, some might categorize them as one-hit wonders, similar to Tommy Tutone (“867-5309/Jenny”), A-Ha (“Take On Me” with 2 billion YouTube views), or Dexy’s Midnight Runners (“C’mon Eileen”).

Here’s my attempt at paraphrasing:

The power of Feeling Strangely Fine

By the time “Closing Time” made the airwaves, Semisonic had formed an identity and had become a seasoned band of musicians. They wrote a solid, introspective brand of lively songs. 

The album titled “Feeling Strangely Fine” is an extraordinary collection of pop/rock tracks, with “Closing Time” serving as the captivating opening number. Every track on this masterpiece stands out, and the seamless transitions between songs make listening to it a delightful journey through time.

Semisonic originated as a trio based in Minneapolis in 1995, producing three studio albums from 1996 to 2001. After their third album, they took a break and reemerged after twenty years to issue their fourth album in 2023.

Other great songs by Semisonic

#10-“This Will Be My Year”

There’s a bit of polishing up from the grunge era here. From the 1998 album Feeling Strangely Fine, the song skillfully encapsulates the band in a compact package, featuring synchronized guitar work and the band’s distinctive voice, led by singer and primary songwriter, Dan Wilson. The song’s intriguing lyricism stands out as a defining characteristic of all Semisonic songs… “Thursday’s infatuation is a Friday night’s excitement, and a Monday morning sorrow…It’s the trail that you continuously chase, only to have it slip away every time…New Year’s Eve, it’s hard to accept that another Zodiac has completed its cycle.

#9-“Chemistry”

Semisonic might be labeled as a garage band capable of creating catchy, predictable tunes based on a formula. However, from their third studio album, “All About Chemistry,” released in 2001, they managed to produce their only hit song with this approach. Surprisingly, the group demonstrates versatility through their talent for harmonizing well and crafting appealing melodies and narratives.

#8-“Gone To The Movies”

Four tracks on the album “Feeling Strangely Fine” – “Secret Smile”, “Closing Time”, “DND”, and this one in particular – were adorned with strings. This melodious, enchanting composition showcases Semisonic’s knack for crafting relaxed tunes. The strings used on the album add a touch of versatility and serenity to their work.

#7-“If I Run”

1996 saw the release of the band’s debut album, titled “The Great Divide“. This early work demonstrated the band’s untapped potential and raw songwriting abilities, serving as a prelude to the harmonious tunes that would later grace their album “Feeling Strangely Fine“. The track showcases their youthful yet controlled knack for creating pop/rock music.

#6-“Singing In My Sleep”

As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share that this song was the second gem dropped from the album, “Feeling Strangely Fine.” It’s a heartfelt tribute to those nostalgic Sony cassette mixtapes, cleverly interweaving references to Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass,” Shakespeare, and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Remarkably, our drummer, Jacob Slichter, showcases his versatility by playing the keyboard part with his right hand while keeping the rhythm with his left on this track.

#5-“DND”

Additionally, “Feeling Strangely Fine” offers a hidden intensity. Dan Wilson’s deep voice smoothly guides us through a dreamy landscape of keyboards and guitars. The melody later accelerates for a seamless voyage. Later on, the sounds open up expansively, as if we’ve hung a “Private” sign.

#4-“Secret Smile”

This track, titled “Feeling Strangely Fine,” was Semisonic’s third success. Much like their other tunes, the melody gradually seeps into your consciousness, and by the end of one playthrough, you recognize its appeal. The song leaves an impression that sticks with you even after listening.

#3-“Never You Mind”

This song has a lively jazz feel to it. Instead of the usual bassline, John Munson’s piano takes the lead subtly. Later on, there’s an unexpected shift that echoes The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”. It’s evident that they were refining and evolving their band style during the recording of “Feeling Strangely Fine“.

#2-“California”

This song, “Feeling Strangely Fine,” is a standout among the top 10 California-themed songs. The catchy chorus is titled “California” and it’s beautifully performed by Wilson. This song truly showcased Semisonic’s exceptional skill, hitting all their marks. It was an enchanting, genuine experience that demonstrated their musical prowess, seamlessly blending keyboard, guitar, and vocal elements.

#1-“Closing Time”

In 1998, it climbed to the third spot on the year-end U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. This tune topped the U.S. Alternative Rock charts and gained popularity worldwide. It was an exceptional rock track with a distinct flavor; there’s simply no other quite like it.

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2024-12-07 16:01