While Semisonic may forever be best known for that siren of early-morning barroom lingerers, the 1998 smash “Closing Time,” the Minneapolis trio’s one-hit-wonder status may obscure the impressive body of hook-laden indie-rock the band put together in its short life. Formed from the ashes of critical faves Trip Shakespeare, and fronted by the gritty yet earnestly folky vocals of Dan Wilson, Semisonic released a minor classic in the understatedly Byrds-esque THE GREAT DIVIDE in 1996. While their methodically produced breakthrough, FEELING STRANGELY FINE, introduced the band to a new audience, it also somewhat overshadowed 2001’s ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY, the outfit’s swan song, which (while a British hit) tanked in the U.S. in spite of stellar reviews.
