1995
1.) Galaxie
Before the single “Galaxie” kicks off, there are a couple gems that aren’t listed, for instance, if you rewind the cd from the very beginning there is a hidden track comprised of a few song tidbits, including an acoustic version of “New Life”, dubbed together backwards. Strange as it is, the hidden track at the beginning of “Soup” is just a prelude to the outlandish feel of the entire album, along side with a little ditty directly before “Galaxie” titled “Hello, Goodbye” comprising of mostly brass instruments, which sounds like the rants of a man losing his mind. Once the song kicks in, the cryptic yet poppy side of Blind Melon emanates with a catchy melody and lyrics of a relationship gone bad. All in all, the listener can tell that this is a new Blind Melon, a darker Blind Melon, but not at all a devolved Blind Melon. (3.5/5)
2.) 2X4
This song is a bit more like Blind Melon’s debut, but still carrying the mood taking shape with their sophomore effort. Distortion riddles “2x4" before the song rages with psychedelic tones that seem as drug influenced as the lyrics. (3.5/5)
3.) Vernie
About Shannon Hoon’s grandmother, “Vernie” presents a slow and broody pace that is equally intense as it is beautiful. Blind Melon’s lyrics seem a bit stranger with this album, evident in “Vernie” with the line, “Peanuts in a pile and Elvis down the isle singing gallantly.” Shannon has said that Vernie would always say “I love you” when leaving, just incase if it would be the last time they’d see each other. (4/5)
4.) Skinned
A showcase of the darker tone of “Soup” is the strange track “Skinned”, which opens with a kazoo and continues with a banjo and lyrics about serial killer Ed Gein such as, “Hey, I could really use a couple of hands to complete one hell of a lamp stand.” Despite the songs silliness, “Skinned” taps into a dark fascination Shannon had with serial killers. (4/5)
5.) Toes Across The Floor
Blind Melon’s second single for “Soup” is “Toes Across The Floor”, which is arguably the best song to their credit. The track opens with bass and flows with Shannon Hoon asking, “So, why am I alive?” before it kicks in with crashing drums and an infectious guitar riff. Everything a person would expect to be present is there and exceeded, proving “Soup” to not just be Blind Melon’s experimental album, but an honorable addition to those who enjoyed the bands grungey first album. (5/5)
6.) Walk
Blind Melon expresses their acoustic skills along with a standout bassline and harmonica with “Walk”. Cryptic but yet optimistic still with lyrics like, “I can’t believe I have to bang my head against this wall again, but the blows they have just a little more space in between them. I’m gonna take a breath and try and try again.” Not quite as much as a highlight as “Change” is on their previous album, but still very good. (5/5)
7.) Dumptruck
A song that bleeds of holding on to what is important, “Dumptruck” is one of the heaviest songs Blind Melon has preformed. Pure rock, pure emotion, and a clear example of the unpredictability on “Soup” that makes the name of the album so fitting. This song is based loosely on friend Bub Cadwalder who died of cancer. (4/5)
8.) Car Seat (God’s Presents)
Similar to “Skinned”, “Car Seat” is just haunting and weird, telling a story of a father burying his child at a truck stop. At the end of the song, a poem is read, which was written by Blanche Bridge on February 11th, 1884, which is tattooed on singer Shannon Hoon’s arm. (3/5)
9.) Wilt
Much like “2x4", “Wilt” would have fit on Blind Melon’s debut album, but still seems more suitable for “Soup” considering the line “I’ve got Indian Ken anis flea bag friends with their buckets full of elephant ears.” For those who just want to headbang, the itch is cured. For those who can’t get enough of the weird stuff, this song is about bad breath. (3.5/5)
10.) The Duke
“The Duke” is about an old Hawaiian king who invented surfing, which a statue still stands directly next to his beach. As for a song, “The Duke” presents a wavy and watery feel coinciding with the lyrics, but doesn’t really prove to be a memorable addition. (3/5)
11.) St. Andrew’s Fall
Moving and very powerful, “St. Andrew’s Fall” shows how Blind Melon’s strength usually rests in their acoustic tracks. After witnessing a woman commit suicide by jumping off a building in Detroit, the band reflected on their own lives and the things they take for granted. The song incorporates stringed instruments, which speed at a point to portray the victims decent. Like many of Blind Melon’s songs, “St. Andrew’s Fall” seems to get progressively better with each listen. (5/5)
12.) New Life
Shannon wrote this song after receiving news that he was going to be a father. The song is very emotional, as could be expected considering the subject, and very sad considering Shannon died just two months after this albums release. (4/5)
13.) Mouthful Of Cavities
This song is one of the best, if not the best, song to be recorded by Blind Melon. With lyrics like “Oh please give me a little more, and I’ll push away those baby blues, and one of these days this will die, so will me and so will you”, this song pulls at the listener in its haunting and beautiful structure. “Mouthful Of Cavities” starts off with acoustic guitar and progresses to pounding drums, along side of back up vocals by Jena Kraus. As told by the band, Jena kept coming up to them, claiming that she could sing. Finally, they gave her a shot and were so blown away that they invited her to sing on their upcoming album. (5/5)
14.) Lemonade
Everything that made “Soup” what it was is all rolled up in the closing track, from screaming guitars, to its horned outro, and to its heavy punky feel. About a bar room brawl involving the police, “Lemonade” leaves a lasting impression. “Soup” was titled what it was because the album seems to incorporate so many different elements, and that is all captured with its conclusion. (4/5)
Blind Melon is very different on this album, but a mark of a great band is one that differs and remains fresh. “Soup”, turning out to be the last Blind Melon album Shannon Hoon will see in his lifetime, is worth every penny of its purchase.
