Hootie & the Blowfish - "Hootie & the Blowfish"

This is the last Hootie & the Blowfish album that I have purchased thus far. Released in 2003 it had been five years between their last studio album ("Musical Chairs"). In between, however, they released a covers album "Scattered, Smothered and Covered" in 2000.

Their self titled fourth album follows the same format as their previous three. Catchy hooks, ringing guitars, pounding drums, and Darius Rucker's distinctive voice. The best cuts are "Innocence," "Space," "The Rain Song" and "Little Darlin'." There is also a pretty good unlisted song tacked onto the end of the last track. Only problem is you have to wait through several minutes of blank space to get there.

The songs on this album are much easier to get into than the ones of "Musical Chairs." Hootie & the Blowfish are a bar band made good and they embrace their bar band sound. The music is fun and catchy and plays well on long drives or when doing house work and especially in a bar. Basically if you enjoyed any of Hootie & the Blowfish's previous albums you will probably enjoy this.