Customer Reviews

Happiness

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's so frustrating that the best pop music only comes out in Europe and never makes its way to the U.S. these days. I suppose an intelligent, thoughtful, emotionally stirring, electronic pop duo is considered by American record executives to be too shocking for American ears. This band caused quite a stir in the U.K. with their first single "Wonderful Life" and hit #1 on the album charts. Despite comparisons to so many 1980's synth-based artists (Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, etc.), Hurts is thoroughly modern. Icy electronics, chunky dance beats, and warm, melodic vocals are all wrapped up in a sleek, irresistible package. Hurts is the next big thing. Be adventurous- buy this imported album and you'll be the first of all your friends to know about it!

The fastest selling debut of 2010 in the UK comes preceded by massive press coverage, a sold out UK tour, support from world famous artists, and a word of mouth hype not experienced since the Arctic Monkeys. Who are Hurts, and why the sudden focus on a duo that borrows the 80's stylized aesthetics? As we discover, this time it all may be justified, for a change.

Singer Theo Hutchcraft and synthesizer guru Adam Anderson met at a club in their native Manchester. Their liking of confined landscapes and the somber sound of European bands is an obvious redundancy that needs to be mentioned if their music is to be understood as a means to escape earlier hardships, and their determination to never go back there. Even though they admit to purposely not having listened to other anyone while composing the record to avoid sounding like other bands, they dug way down in the trunk of British tradition, from Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode to Coldplay and Take That, to add modernity to the production.

They aimed to create multidimensional music, that not only plays well on a stereo or a live show but also in a club or anywhere the listener finds themselves drawn to it. Did they succeed? Yes, in part. Happiness is a a mirror image of the two men's impeccable looks, not devoid of emotional power. In the eleven tracks (twelve if you count hidden Verona) they take us on a ride through the darkest effects love and loss have in the human psyche, but despite the burdensome topics it all plays swiftly, thanks to the polished production and often operatic arrangements.

Opening Silver Lining delivers everything that made 80's music appealing: bombastic keyboards, singalong lyrics, soaring choruses, and singles Wonderful Life and Better than love prolong the experience. Kylie Minogue lends her voice to Devotion (in return to the duo's incredible cover of Confide in me), a melancholic ballad that not for a second becomes hers. Hurts make anything they touch their baby and there is no denying it.

The record plays great, feels great, and sounds even better. Are we talking about a band that transcends barriers and may have universal appeal? At some point yes, but not quite yet. Someone pointed out to me that maybe we are just too cynical to recognize the innocence in the simple lyrics to a ballad, or that maybe the state of pop music has taken us away from the real essence of it. So is it the record's naivete that fails to surpass the mark or our jaded ears that do not allow us to look beyond its facade?

Happiness is not a five-star album by any means, but it has achieved more than it set to be. By flashing back to an era relished by everyone as magical, carefree, it has regressed to the simplicity of the complex; it catapults the saxophone solo, the epic synthesizer arrangement, the power chorus to a new phase that the languid structure of the indie pop song cannot possibly convey.

First off, I live in the U.S., which makes it sort of difficult to get this album. You have to buy the physical CD, or wait until the U.S. I-Tunes store catches up to the U.K. store, and actually offers the album for download. Fortunately for me, I am rather old-school and like having the actual physical CD. Yep, I'm over 35.

This album is phenom. It does have a bit of retro 80s flair to it, but not so much that after one or two listens, you feel like throwing the CD out the window and dismissing it as mere 80s copycat crap. 80s influenced? Probably. But is that a good thing? Hell yes! Listening to the CD brings to mind classic OMD, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and other such 80s greats, but it still has it's own sound. Enough influence to catch your attention, yet enough of it's own merit and style to keep you wanting more.

Do yourself a favor- if you even consider yourself a minor fan of electro-pop, purchase this CD. If you consider yourself a major fan of the electronic/synthpop genre, then this is right up your alley.

You will not be disappointed!

Let me start by saying that I was around in the 80's, but I was not really a fan of synth/electro pop by the likes of New Order, Japan (David Sylvian) and Depeche Mode. I was much more mainstream with Duran Duran, Human League and Nik Kershaw, which is probably why I love this album.

From the epic Illuminated (my fav) to the lyrically haunting Wonderful Life (about a man contemplating suicide), this whole album rocks the ear drums. Nostalgic 80's pop is back and its utterly brilliant even without Kim Wilde!

I have never owned a CD before in my entire life where I LOVE every song. I stumbled upon Hurts last year and have been obsessed with them ever since. Their CD "Happiness" does not dissapoint. Theo and Adam are amazing for their young age (mid 20s) and each of their songs evoke such passion through the lyrics, music and voice.

I love being able to belt out (off tune of course) every song on the album!

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who is into the electro/synth pop made popular in the 80s :)

You'll love this great album right away as I did.

This is one of those 'hard to find' quality music we are always looking for these days.

Very nice vocals + Modern & pleasant music (Very well arranged).

No matter what kind of music you usually listen to,... You'll love this excellent Album !

(((( BUY IT ))))

I've recently discovered this band and I LOVE THEM!!! Yes, they do remind me of Depeche Mode & Pet Shop Boys but they have a unique sound of their own. The lyrics are simply touching paired with hauntingly melodious music and the singer's voice is hypnotic. It's a shame that they aren't playing more music like this in the US. To me they are the male equivalent to Florence & The Machine (another gem band). I hope they keep up what they are doing and I'm looking forward to their next album.

This album is, in my humble opinion, the best album of 2010. Each song is amazing, with deep meanings, full of emotion and uplifting (though it speaks mostly about sad themes). Mister Hutchcraft`s voice is stupendous! I like all the songs of the album, something that never happened to me before. The only regret that I have is that this album does not contain the song "Mother nature" and the band`s incredible cover of Kylie Minogue`s song "Confide in me" (I personally consider the cover better than the original). Thank you HURTS for your wonderful music!

This is one of the best albums available this year and as such scores a 5 out of 5. There is a definite 80s musical influence but not so much that the music is dated. The vocals in the track Silver Lining also remind me of VAST's Winter in My Heart while very much retaining its own unique style.

Still. I am very tempted to score this album much, much lower due to Sony's poor marketing. The only reason I won't is because the band doesn't deserve to suffer for Sony's poor marketing decisions.... That being said... rant ahead regarding Sony...

There is no option for a digital download purchase. There is no way to preview the tracks prior to purchase. In fact, had I not heard "Silver Lining" on a fanvid for Ashes to Ashes of all places, I would never have even considered buying this CD/album in the first place. Which means, I would have completely missed out on this amazing group and their music. Also, I hate buying CDs. It's a waste of materials. A waste of space. A waste of time. I prefer digital purchases. There is simply no reason for CDs any more. Forcing customers into an outdated business model, if anything else, only encourages piracy. Please, stop this nonsense. Make it easier for me to spend my money on great music like this. Not harder.

The quality, the beauty, the elegance of duo Hutchcraft & Anderson are just flabbergasting.

Okay, they sound as a combination of new order and depeche mode. Fine, but hey, it ain't a bit easy to imitate grand bands like these and still be original and have such a fine taste like these two artists. Just fantastic. It deserves all the praise is getting all over Europe (specially in Germany). I just have to lament that the american audience, in general, don't have the same refinement. Outstanding album!