No, Blind Melon has not hired a new leader since singer Shannon Hoon's drug overdose last year. Nico (named after Hoon's daughter) is instead a celebration of Hoon's life, a series of outtakes, covers and alternative takes taken from the recording of the band's two albums.

This album captures the rough edges that sometimes were covered up in the band's album work. This is shown most with a stunning version of the hit "No Rain," which sheds its folky skin in favor of an edgier beat. A cover of Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" also simmers like a coiled snake.

None of this stuff probably would have been released if not for Hoon's death, and that would have been a shame. Too bad it had to be released like this.  (11/96)

Jay S. Jacobs