While listening to you not only feels strangely good ...

... Because what Semisonic deliver here is the perfect blend of rock and pop, both backed by guitar, bass and drums, as well as experimental keyboard sounds. Here once again speaks the total length of its own: Just over 50 minutes, pressed here to a CD. And not only the length convinced ...
With "Closing Time" and "Singing in My Sleep" the three guys throwing directly their first singles in's race - with success. Both are incredibly melodic instruments in almost perfect unison plus Dan Wilson's almost stunning voice - how can this man take only so high notes?
"Made To Last" is an offbeat track, which offers acoustic guitar and keyboard accompaniment easier. Sounds very reassuring ... if you then almost closed my eyes, put on once at the end of the first chorus, the drums and electric guitar, and the song gains momentum - class!
"Never You Mind" comes up with a at the beginning of something strange piano melody, but wins by Wilson's singing at catchiness - the chorus is also good and is very catchy.
About "Secret Smile" and "DND" I must have no more words to lose - the former was also quite successful here in radio and the latter is known from a car commercial ... too bad that just these very beautiful ballad was misused.
"Completely Pleased" is a song that seems a bit odd. It begins only with acoustic guitar, Wilson's voice has a comic touch - until it comes to the chorus, use the other instruments and the guys from Semisonic have once again amazed me with how easily they can demonstrate the catchiness of their tunes.
Now comes a very good intro, in which all instruments are equally important to eventually to the drums: The guitar is incredibly good, merry-voiced chords before, the bass introduces drums and keyboard and the latter provides the last bit of sound. That's "This Will Be My Year", which, however, not only by features, but again by Wilson's vocals.
"All Worked Out" is the shortest track on the CD and at the same time includes the part, have moved into the title of the album from the Semisonic. It tells of a relationship in which "she" has the say and everything has been worked out - and yet you feel (s) strangely well ... as well while listening to the piece, which, however, takes time to unfold.
The now following "California" is in my opinion the worst piece of the CD. Unfortunately, even the longest. The verses are good, catchy, very melodic, but the main part of the chorus does not quite go into the ear and sound pleasant, as was the case with the other pieces. In addition, the end is pulled in my opinion a bit too long.
"She spreads Her Wings" on the other hand is an amazing ballad with a rather dark atmosphere. Also contributes to the voice of the bassist, John Munson, at which replaces at this point Wilson. Goosebumps danger!
If you're thinking, this ballad can not be exceeded, is wrong - "Gone To The Movies" is distributed over the whole piece, imaginative acoustic guitar accompaniment, thus simultaneously also replaces the drums, and the onset of strings just still a successful end for a thoroughly successful CD.
This album is not one of those that you get sound, is as nice and then presents in the closet; not to bring it out again and again and must again hear - to be whisked away by wonderfully elaborate melodies in accordance with Wilson and Munson's voice for a short time in a different world.