Customer Reviews

Happiness

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of MY oppinion..... this is the best album from Dance Gavin Dance. I have been waiting for this. There is not one track on this album that I do not love.
If you like DGD, you will LOVE this album.
Great guitar, great vocals, all around GREAT music.

Dance Gavin Dance's self-titled record (otherwise known as "The Death Star Album") was a very good record. It showed that the band didn't need Jonny Craig to make good music. It wasn't quite as "epic" as Downtown Battle Mountain, but it was its own complete work with its own sound and it fit. (plus, if you want epic music with Jonny Craig, listen to Emarosa; about as epic as it gets) "Happiness" is also it's own work, but it also has it's problems, and they seem to outshine its strengths this time.

Instrumentally, the band is at the top of their game. I don't know if you'll find many more musically accomplished groups of musicians in this genre today, and this record has some of the bands most complex and interesting pieces of music, and that's what many admire this record for. My problem with the record lies in how these pieces of music fit together into whole songs. Most of the time, to me, they don't. An average song I'd find in the record would feel more like a collection of interesting ideas of complex instrumentation that don't go together to make one memorable song. This was a slight problem in the previous record, but it still pulled together to be memorable. Here, you can admire and awe at the technical skill on display, but the overall song won't have a true lasting effect on you.

The best parts of the record are when the song does pull together and become a song. Tree Village is pretty average, but still enjoyable. The title-track, despite it's off-putting intro and outro, is a good song, albeit shorter than it should be. Don't Tell Dave is a ridiculously fun song. Carl Barker is easily one of the best; it's an eclectic mix of hardcore, funk, latin, and whatever else the band tries to do, and it's one of the most memorable parts of the CD. And Powder to the People......holy s___. One of the band's greatest achievements, which is already taking a reputation as a concert staple (they closed with it when I saw them back in September, and it really is the best way to close out a show).

One of the most disappointing things to happen to the band within the last year or two was the departure of Jon Mess. But like the band proved when Jonny Craig left, they don't let a band member leaving hinder the songwriting in any way (just look at the everchanging bassist position in the band). I just think they got ahead of themselves on this record and tries too hard to make their songs technical instead of memorable. But like I said, this is some of the most technically impressive stuff the band has ever done, and some of the songs are truly exhilirating.

Dance Gavin Dance is a very unique band, and their latest release proves it. I had first heard of this band when I was going through iTunes looking for new artists to fill up my rather empty music selection. From the first time I heard the thirty second preview of And I Told Them I Invented Times New Romans, I was hooked. The catchy guitar riffs over the Impressive drums and the outstanding vocals of Jonny Craig and the screams of the talented Jon Mess on top of it all gave me chills. But that was over a year ago, now they have a new, and equally talented singer, Kurt Travis, and their screams have been replaced by lead guitarist, Will Swan, as well as other replacements in the band. As a matter of fact, the only original band members that are left are Swan and the drummer, Matt Mingus. And with new members, subsequently came a new sound. Happiness starts off with a powerful song, and it sets the tone for the five songs that follow, Tree Village. The tune starts off with a catchy guitar riff which Kurt starts singing over with such grace as a majestic butterfly. Then the song immediately picks up pace and stays that way for, for the most part, until the intense conclusion. Lyrically, it's the albums best, with powerful lines such as "All the trees, all the birds, all of this thing called life. I'd stake it all for forty acres and a trophy wife/ Dust gathers on the books that contain our past, and we're but peons in this circuit built by time to last." After Tree Village, an equally impressive, NASA begins. Starting and ending strong this is one of the bands greatest accomplishments yet. Afterwards is the fun I'm Down With Brown Town, which goes to show that the band can keep the fast pacing of the first two songs and simultaneously slow it down a little. Next in line is possibly the best song on the record. Carl Barker starts off with a funky riff and immediately runs into an equally funky verse. The song is also home to the catchiest chorus of the album. The title track is a great way to slow the album down, with light verses and a lyrical theme through out the whole song, (most DGD fans know their lyrics to be a little all over the place) the song shines. By far the trippiest tune by the band, Self-Trepanation, is a gem that sets the tone for the three songs that lie ahead. Strawberry Swisher Pt 1. is a very weird song. With lyrics that could be the cheesiest I've ever heard, but still the DGD signature creativity shines in some parts of the song. Don't Tell Dave is a funky tune that will have you dancing your a** off before it's over. The second establishment in the Strawberry Swisher series is the weakest song on the record, but in no way am I not impressed by it. Then the record ends with a bang with the extremely catchy as well as epic, Powder to the People. This is Dance Gavin Dance's most creative piece yet and I definitely recommend it. From start to finish, Happiness is a roller coaster ride of musical thrills.

Breakdown:

+ Extremely creative
+ Impressive, and equally catchy guitar riffs are found in each on of the records 10 songs
+ Great vocal work. From Kurts majestic butterfly-ness to Will Swan's slightly deeper screams.
+ Lyrics
- Lyrics range from impressive to just stupid.

Key songs: Carl Barker, NASA, Self-Trepanation

i think this cd is so good!! it is in my opinion better that the first two the lyrics are really good and some are really sweet.

This CD is amazing; although there is no Jonny Craig in this album (he left the band during this album); it is still absolutely great. :)

This was the only DGD album to not feature Jonathan Mess as the screamer. At this time, Jonny Craig was also absent (Kurt Travis being his replacement). While there were some really great songs here, Happiness was hurt greatly by the deep growls of Will Swan (who filled in for Mess on this record). Going from a higher, faster screamer to a deeper, slower one did not suit DGD well at it. If Mess had still been on this album, Happiness would have surely been better. Still, as it stood, there were plenty of worthy moments to learn and remember. (Stream "Carl Barker")

The follow up to the 2008 self titled holds nothing back. Kurt is back and Will Swan takes over Jon Mess's duities. However, i found Will Swan to hold his own with the unclean vocals especially in tracks like "Tree Village" and "Happiness." The ending of "Happiness" shows a more visceral approach for DGD. The aggression of Will Swan's voice is a big step in a different direction for DGD. However, like Jonny's departure (both of them), i grew accustomed to Will's voice and really enjoyed his energy. "Tree Village" is by far one of the best tracks on the album, and a prime example of the new sound of 2009 DGD. Songs like "NASA", "I am Down with Brown Town", and "Carl Barker" a great indications of a more diverse DGD. The duo of Will and Kurt are perfect matches. Sometimes the humor of songs such as "Dont Tell Dave" are an enjoyable listen. "Happiness" is one of the best songs on the album and most resembles their past work. The aggresive side of DGD reveals itself in "Happiness." Kurt's voice layered over powerful drums, scathing guitars, and smooth riffs truly blow other tracks out of the water. "Self Trepanation" starts on a different musical note with some interesting keys then right into irregular guitars and drums. Will and Kurt's on-off pattern breathes life into the song. Again, a bit more aggressive than DGD's past work, but a welcome adjustment. "Strawberry Swisher Prt 1 and 2" are a bit more soft and oriented towards a specific subject matter. Kurt has a way with lyrics and can tell a very interesting story. "Powder to the People" is by far the most diverse DGD to date. The influences of other genres of music are included here, to the max. Not to mention the energy of the song, but Kurt and Will bring out all they have on this song. Within seconds, i knew this song was going to be one of the best on the album. it caps off the album with relentless verses and bloodrushing lyrics.

ALl together, "Happiness" is a true DGD album with welcome tweeks scattered about the album. Just like the 2008 self titled, i am in love with this album and the steps DGD took with kurt, Jonny, Jon, and using Will as more of prominent vocalist. A definite album to have in audiences libraries.

Amazing CD DGD really put feeling into this CD. Although this was done without the original singer I still find it extremely well done.

I love this type of music. A year or two ago i was more into the straight up modern experimental rock scene such as The Strokes, Modest Mouse, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Moving Units and Minus the Bear. But in the past Six Months i've gotten into bands such as A Skylit Drive, Circa Survive, Chiodos, and SKSK.

This Album i got because i wanted to check these guys out before i see them at Warped Tour on the 27th.

This Album doesn't disappoint. What i like about it is it grows on you and it retains its freshness after listening to it multiple times.
Check it out. totally worth the money.

Listen to Don't Tell Dave And Powder to the People.

Its dance gavin dance. blah blah blah one long review that sounds smart later......get this cd please. its jazzy, its catchy, its got amazing guitar work, its awsum.