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March 7, 2003
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH
By DARRYL STERDAN
HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH Hootie & the Blowfish (Atlantic/Warner) We didn't read the press release for the Hootie & the Blowfish CD -- because really, life is just too short for that sort of thing -- but usually, when veteran acts put out self-titled albums, it's meant to reflect their musical "rebirth." Well, we're not sure whether to be bummed or glad the Blowfish haven't really changed a thing -- not their music, not their clothes, not even their hairstyles (though husky singer Darius Rucker is looking a little thin on top). On their first disc in five years, the quartet still traffic in the mainstream guitar-rock and last-waltz ballads as always. Oh, here and there on these 12 songs, they stretch a tad -- Little Brother has a latter-day Doobies groove, and their rootsy cover of Continental Drifters' Rain Song is a nice thought -- but this is less a rebirth than a change of scenery. Meet the new Hootie; same as the old Hootie. (More on Hootie & the Blowfish) Track Listing
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