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The Happies
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If We Were Really Here
Eden's Watchtower Records
Release: 10/25/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
xok Matt
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I had the pleasure of accidentally seeing The Happies play at
Muse Music in Provo, Utah some months back. I went to see
a completely different band, but afterwards found myself
whistling tunes from The Happies, and not the band I went to
see. If We Were Really Here, The Happies
newest album release, is full of huge guitar sounds, bright
and somber keyboard tones, and magical vocal harmonies;
it accurately reflects their live show.
The album kicks off with Nada Surf meets Weezer sound and
vibes on track one, "Everything's Fine, Cover Your Eyes."
The verses are filled with tight rhythm and open, airy vocals,
while the chorus opens up to dominating guitars and soft
singing, reminiscent of the 60's pop chart toppers.
The next song, "Sun Don't Shine," is possibly my favorite on
the album. The keyboards and guitars blend together in
beautiful pop song style, all the while keeping from
becoming boring by the excellent additions from the other
instruments. Vocally the song is incredibly strong, and if you
close your eyes while listening to the voice of Miles Biddulph
(guitar/vocals), the Violent Femms could be slightly thought
of.
But the really great thing about If We Were Really
Here is each song has its own taste, but the album
remains a whole. "Paw Paw" could have been a Beatles'
chart-topper, boasting terrific multi-part vocal harmonies
from four of the five members of the band. "Polarity" and
"Eleven" slow down the upbeat tempo of the album for
several minutes and rely on the relaxed and emotional
feelings to give the listener something to drive in the rain to;
a great offset to the rest of the album. Straight from the
mid 90s is "It's Only You." While it's nowhere near the best
song on the album, it's got charm all of its own. But I can't
help being reminded of a beginning band trying to make a
hit song, coming up short in a few areas. However,
considering it's probably the least impressive song on the
album, it's still better than most songs by most bands I get
to hear live in local Utah bars and venues. "Spend a Day"
caps off If We Were Really Here quite nicely.
It's like sci-fi poured into musical form, entwined with piano
and somber vocals. There are guitar and keyboard sounds
throughout that sound like machines and ray guns and water
drops, and the last minute and a half is dedicated to eerie
sounds that I'll probably never listen to in the dark, not if I'm
alone at least.
If you like The Shins, The Beatles or Weezer, chances are
you'll really like The Happies. If you're in the Salt Lake City
area, you should be able to catch a live show of theirs every
now and then, which I highly recommend doing. |
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