Customer Reviews

Happiness

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title of the album is not ironic, though it might be particular. Fridge is a British group who have been doing the post-rock thing for some time. Their early albums were quite noisy, but then, with two ep's, they became something of an amazing organic electronic group.
One of the guys in Fridge releases albums under the name Four Tet, his latest, called Pause, is an umistakably gorgeous album, easily up there with Boards of Canada's Music Has The Right To Children.
Happiness is almost a companion album to that. It has much the same quality of sound: lush, orchestral or gamelan style electronics. It's very organic.
The difference is that Happiness is more abstract, the songs have a more open structure, not built around songs, but almost a mindset, a development of a certain happy place. Once that place is reached, the song is complete.
In some ways its a strange album, and yet, it urges itself to be listened to. It's been on my stereo for a month now, happily in rotation.

Fridge is working the electro-acoustic angle, creating organic electronic music within a rock idiom (though fridge is far from strictly electronic). Fridge have crafted a sonic euphoria, accessible without narcotics. When I put this cd on for someone I already know that they will like it, so instead of telling them how great it is or trying to describe it, I ask them "Do you want to hear some really weird music?" If you already like Fridge, you should check out Tortoise, the Books, Boards of Canada, Mum, Seefeel, Fennesz and Hrvatski. (Hrvatski liked it so much that he reviewed it; see the featured review above.) All are doing a similar thing in different ways, that is giving Edward the hands he deserves.

Like Tortoise, Fridge work in the grey area between rock and electronica, but they manage to carve out their own unique sound. They've got a good variety of sound material including xylophone, glockenspiel, piano, and electric guitar -- all tracks instrumentals of course. They are either cut up and spliced into beat-oriented mellow grooves (try 2 is oozey downtempo not unlike Boards of Canada), or played live. Last track is a real winner, using the "epic buildup" framework that has become almost a post rock cliche. Yes this is post rock, but not the cold/precise kind. This is a great disc with broad appeal, with enough sound variety and percussive force to keep it interesting, and an overall warm, billowy sound.

Fridge lets you know exactly what you're getting into with their _Happiness_ album: for track titles, they instead list the major instruments. So, for instance, "Melodica and Trombone" has exactly that (along with a quiet, spacious ending). "Drum Machines and Glockenspiels" has... well, you can guess. But this is Fridge, so it's more than simply an instruments list; there's the delicate post-rock contemplation. The glimmering and gorgeous "Cut Up Piano and Xylophone" shows that they have more than sustained guitars up their sleeves. Indeed, oftentimes, the stated instrument, as in "Five Four Child Voice," takes a backseat to Fridge's own compositions. It's almost like a bait-and-switch! But "Harmonics" remains pure, with equal measures of plucking and strumming and carefully constructed sonics. Fridge knows how to induce happiness like the best of them.

Happiness by Fridge is the best album I have bought in years! In fact,if I could only recommend one new album to a friend Happiness by Fridge would be it. I pride myself on my musical taste and I listen to a new cd 2-3 times a week, so I dont give compliments like that unless I truley love the cd.I have probably listened to this cd a thousand times and I still love it. Fridge is the most creative and innovative band out there right now, as far as Im concerned. BUY THIS CD! YOU WILL LOVE IT FOREVER! I cannot say enough about how great this CD is. I didnt know people made music this good anymore. Happiness has got me excited about music again and inspired me to make more of my own.This music is beautiful and exotic. Stunningly minimilist at times (Cut up piano and xylophone) and intensly layered at others(five four child voice). In fact,every track sounds unique and that makes it a blessing to listen to from start to finish.BUY HAPPINESS!!!!!!

these guys are the best at what they do. i have all their albums (i think)and this is definatley their best/cogniscent release.one complaint,1st track-waist of time.almost 14 min. of time.-fans of fridge might consider checking out theboylucas or sybarite (more on the electronic tilt)