To start a review (or use the term anywhere therein) with the statement that “this is nothing new” is normally the acme of damning statements. What it implies needs no extrapolation.
Even on the 12th time listening through Happiness Ltd. though I would make that remark – there isn’t anything on this album that defies the pre-existing formula. This is, after all, another record in the bigger movement to revive the once slumbering, now stimulated beast that is garage rock. The Victoria British Columbia quartet (curiously first a synthesizer pop outfit) broke ground with the delightfully edgy Make Up The Breakdown one of the most hotly discussed and consumed records of 2002. Since then though the band has floundered on three releases, roundly evaluated as mediocre by the music media seemingly waiting for that frantic joy from years before.
Was such a prodigious debut that damning stroke? Is there such a thing as a sophomore (and in this case, junior) slump?
If there is, then Hot Hot Heat has soundly broken it with a solid, downright worthy effort on Happiness Ltd. Once more, this isn’t an invention all their own – they owe a lot to The Strokes, a handful of synthesizer rock bands from the early 1980’s and The Cure, but the formula works, and these guys have proven that they are able purveyors of this brand of rock-n-pop harmlessness. The vocals are playfully sneering, pompous belting out lyrics seemingly mere conjunctions of cools sounding non-sequitor phrases. Songs like the title track, “Harmonicas & Tambourines” and “5 Times Out of 100” are strutting, surely gems in the live arena, showing off the band’s party boy prowess. Even their forays into the realm of thoughtful (“Outta Heart” and “Let Me In”) are the best thumbnail depictions of great songs from other albums.
That’s not to say these aren’t great songs on this one though.
To say that Happiness Ltd. is really nothing new is quite alright – Hot Hot Heat are after all, something entirely new themselves, and this album upholds at least some of the promise from Make Up. Their giant steps forward and subsequent stumbles on this perhaps rote re-invention of garage/post punk rock are worthy of repeat listens. It’s car rock – don’t over analyze.
After all, isn’t this movement supposed to be about pure fun?
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