American rock trio Semisonic
injected post-grunge grit into harmonic power pop, a catchy formula
that helped them score an enduring radio hit with 1998's
Grammy-nominated "Closing Time." That single featured on their
breakthrough sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine,
which helped them peak in the mainstream before they went on indefinite
hiatus in the early 2000s after the release of their third album, All About Chemistry. In the late 2010s, '90s nostalgia brought the band back together after nearly two decades, resulting in the 2020 EP You're Not Alone.
Formed in the early '90s after the breakup of alt-rock outfit Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic were started by bandmembers and Minneapolis natives Dan Wilson and John Munson, who later recruited drummer Jacob Slichter. While Trip Shakespeare had spent years amassing a loyal audience with artistic harmonies and unexpected guitar counterpoints, bandleader Wilson took Semisonic
in an entirely different direction, embracing a tightly crafted sound
that proved to be more appetizing to mainstream audiences. It didn't
take long for Semisonic
(which had initially formed under the name Pleasure) to secure a record
deal with Elektra. However, before the band could record, management
reorganization at Elektra's headquarters resulted in the termination of Semisonic's contract.
The group bounced back in 1995 by signing with MCA and releasing a self-produced EP, Pleasure. Full-length debut The Great Divide
followed in 1996, garnering favorable critical reviews for its simple
but sparkling take on modern pop. However, it was the musicians'
sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine,
that marked their major breakthrough in 1998. Lead single "Closing
Time" topped the modern rock charts and became a lasting radio smash --
even into the 21st century -- while follow-up single "Secret Smile"
became a Top 20 hit in the U.K.
All About Chemistry, Semisonic's
third album, was issued in early 2001 and yielded additional U.K. hits
such as "Chemistry," but the record failed to maintain the group's
popularity in America. The band wrapped up the year by contributing
"Over My Head" to the soundtrack for Summer Catch, a baseball-themed teen flick, and covering Wings' "Jet" for a Paul McCartney tribute CD entitled Listen to What the Man Said. Wilson also took time out to lay the brickwork for his solo material, playing a slew of dates around the Midwest, while his brother Matt hooked up with John Munson to form the Flops. As these side projects mounted, Semisonic went on indefinite hiatus in late 2001.
Over the years,
Wilson garnered additional accolades as a solo artist. He also co-wrote material for other artists, including
the Dixie Chicks' 2007 Grammy-winning effort,
Taking the Long Way, and
Adele's 2012 Grammy winner,
21.
Munson remained active in a number of Minneapolis-based projects including
the New Standards and
the Twilight Hours, the latter of which saw him again collaborating with
Matt Wilson. For his part,
Slichter
enjoyed some success in the literary world with his charming 2004
memoir, So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star.
In 2017, Semisonic reunited for a handful of hometown shows, playing The Great Divide and Feeling Strangely Fine
in their entireties. A 20th Anniversary Edition of the latter album
arrived in 2018, packaged with quartet of B-sides from the era. Feeling a
bit of renewed momentum, the trio took their reunion to Wilson's L.A. studio and recorded the 2020 EP You're Not Alone, their first new material in nearly two decades.
