Thrift Store Music: Material Issue - Destination Universe

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Material Issue - Destination Universe

Name: Material Issue
Album: Destination Universe
Year: 1992
Style: Power Pop, Alternative
Similar Bands: Teenage Fanclub, Velocity Girl, Young Guv, Gin Blossoms, Jellyfish, Tragically Hip, Big Star, Replacements, Smithereens
"One-Word" Review:
Based Out Of: Chicago, IL
Label: Mercury. BMI, Polygram

Cover, Liner Notes, Lyrics, Tape

Lyrics, Tape

Destination Universe (1992)

What Girls Want 3:55 (single)
When I Get This Way (Over You) 4:09
Next Big Thing 3:12
Who Needs Love 2:52
Destination You 2:49
Everything 3:48
Ballad of a Lonely Man 3:27 /
Girl From Out of This World 3:56 (cover of their own song, Crazy)
So Easy to Love Somebody 2:49
Don't You Think I Know 3:47
The Loneliest Heart 2:38
Whole Lotta You 2:52
If Ever You Should Fall 2:41

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

Ted Ansani - Bass, Vox (Bradburys, Teenage Frames)
Jim Ellison - Guitar, Lead Vox, Writing (Green, Slink Moss & the Flying Aces, Ides of March)
Mike Zelenko - Drums (Green, the Darlings, The Ladies & Gentlemen, Shoes, Specula, Starball, Local H)
Jeff Murphy - Production, Engineer, Mixing
Ron Staley - 2nd Engineer
Andy Wallace - Mixing
Howie Weinberg - Mastering
Bob Skoro - A&R Direction
Michael Bays - Art Direction
Michael Klotz - Design
Jeffrey Evan Kwatinetz - Mgmt
Caroline Greyshock - Photos

Unknown-ness: I got this tape some time back in the mid 90's, but have no recollection what Material Issue sounds like. From the font and era, i imagine it is some psych grungy appropriation of classic rock, just updated. I probably saw them on 120 minutes or heard them on post modern PST radio and then saw the album in a discount or cut out bin and took a chance. And despite having a tape player for many years, this never made the rotation, and i don't know the songs at all.

Album Review: So it is exactly what fits the early 90's jangley garage rock with classic rock and psychedelic tenancies, but in their special case, smooth & clear power pop vocals, i hear hints of the Bee Gees, Jellyfish, and especially Gin Blossoms in the vocals. Singer Ellison committed suicide in June 1996. They have reformed under popular demand as Material Reissue, even once with Marshall Crenshaw as guest vocalist, and there is a documentary in the works slated for 2021.

Stand Out Track: Who Needs Love, Destination You

Links:

wilson & Alroys record reviews
spotify album

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allmusic

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jim ellison obit reflection in 2018