Newly remastered, this monumental record is currently the tenth best-selling album of all time in the U.S., certified 21x platinum by the RIAA since its 1994 debut, as well as the best-selling debut album of all time.
Hootie and the Blowfish's debut album Cracked Rear View was the success story of 1994/1995, with sales clocking more than 25 million worldwide since July 1994. It's the best-selling debut album of all time to date.
The Don Gehman-produced album generated four singles: The David Crosby-featuring "Hold My Hand," "Only Wanna Be With You," "Time" and the Grammy-winning "Let Her Cry.'" That same year they were also crowned Best New Pop Group. The album contains solid, rootsy folk-rock tunes that have simple, powerful hooks. Hold My Hand has a sing-along chorus that epitomizes the band's good-times vibes.
The tracks transcend their generic status, with crisp chords and bright melodies. Still, the songs wouldn't be convincing without the emotive vocals of Darius Rucker, whose gruff baritone has more grit than the actual songs. At their core, Hootie and the Blowfish is a bar band, but they managed to convince millions of listeners that they were the local bar band, and that's why Cracked Rear View was a major success.
Track Listing:
1. Hannah Jane
2. Hold My Hand
3. Let Her Cry
4. Only Wanna Be With You
5. Running from an Angel
6. I'm Goin' Home
7. Drowning
8. Time
9. Look Away
10. Not Even Trees
11. Goodbye