For those not in the know, or simply because you weren't listening to the radio throughout the '90s, the Gin Blossoms is an American rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona.

They first came to notice (after having released Dusted in 1989 to no media notice at all) with the song 'Hey Jealousy' from their first major label album, New Miserable Experience (1992), but this achievement was coupled with the removal and eventual suicide of the song's author and band co-founder Doug Hopkins, prompting the title of their follow-up album, Congratulations I'm Sorry (1996).

After a series of charting singles, the band broke up in 1997 although they did reunite in 2002 and even released a fourth album, Major Lodge Victory, in 2006, and a fifth, No Chocolate Cake, in 2010.

And now they are back once more, for another swing at the chart bat with their brand new album, Mixed Reality out now via Cleopatra Records.

1. 'Break'
2. 'Face The Dark'
3. 'New Mexico Trouble'
4. 'Angels Fly'
5. 'Here Again'
6. 'Still Some Room In Heaven'
7. 'Miranda Chicago'
8. 'Girl On The Side'
9. 'Fortunate Street'
10. 'Wonder'
11. 'Shadow'
12. 'Forever Is This Night'
13. 'The JFK Shit Show'
14. 'The Devil's Daughter'
15. 'Mega Pawn King'

That's right, one of the most successful melodic alt-rock bands in chart history is now back anstill making great music today. Featuring a stellar set of new original material, including the highly melodic lead-off track 'Break,' sure they may well have used Pledge Music to monetarily help their album-making cause, but that's exactly why the fans are there.

And what a successful campaign it obviously turned out to be, for this is a dynamite album, chock full of 15 new tracks that all deserve radio airplay.

After that lead radio single, we next get the willowy, jangling guitar work of 'Face The Dark,' which is in turned backed by both the thunderous 'New Mexico Trouble' and the flirtatious 'Angels Fly.' The soaring guitars take flight again for the ferocious rocker 'Here Again' ("... just because you're screaming, doesn't make it true") which is followed seamlessly by 'Still Some Room In Heaven.'

Back come the Blossom's signature jangly guitars for the foot-tappin' 'Miranda Chicago,' before the go-go-gadget pace is finally halted on the beautiful ballad, 'Girl On The Side.' A track that showcases the still-incredible vocal spread of Robin Wilson, the tempo is raised a little for 'Fortunate Street,' with the playful 'Wonder.'

The guitars light up again for the straight-ahead, no nonsense 'Shadow' before the '90s sound is brought to the fore in ample supply with both 'Forever Is This Night' and 30 second lo-fi, and curious 'The JFK Shit Show.' The album then rounds out with both the upbeat, finger-snappin' Gin Blossoms-of-old, 'The Devil's Daughter' and then 'Mega Pawn King.'

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