The title of this, Soul Asylum's first studio offering in nearly a decade, has a decidedly bittersweet tenor, given the fact that bassist and co-founder Karl Mueller died of cancer during the recording process -- leaving a hole in the band's soul, but also a powerful legacy to remember him by. The Silver Lining is far more spirited than the band's last offering and not simply because it's more laden with punchy riffs. Yes, there's plenty of amps-to-11 attitude, but even acoustic tracks like. Frontman Dave Pirner has re-tapped his inner reservoir of riffs that reconcile timelessness and off-kilter originality, and he strews them like confetti across The Silver Lining, piling them particularly high on "Crazy Mixed Up World" and "Stand Up and Be Strong." The latter tune pretty much sums up the album's wizened, but not weary, tenor -- an acknowledgment that life's a struggle, but an affirmation that it's a winnable one.
Condition: Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTING
1 Stand Up and Be Strong 4:23
2 Lately 3:27
3 Crazy Mixed Up World 3:56
4 All Is Well 3:13
5 Bus Named Desire 3:05
6 Whatcha Need 3:52
7 Standing Water 4:40
8 Success Is Not So Sweet 4:58
9 The Great Exaggerator 4:10
10 Oxygen 4:03
11 Good for You 3:52
12 Slowly Rising/Fearless Leader 8:00
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