Customer Reviews

A Happy Pocket

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

 

 

It's a shame this album wasn't released in the US, because it's truly an outstanding work. Some of the popish songs are weaker than the previous works (The Main Attraction), but some of the band's finest works are on this album (Safecracker, Therapist, I'll Get Them In). I hope they come out with another release soon. If you've ever heard and enjoyed any TCS, you must get this album.

The Trash Can Sinatras continue to impress. It's unbelievable how impossible to find this lp is. I actually stumbled across it in NYC at a Village record shop for only 8.99 ! For some reason, it was used. Number one, why would someone buy this if they didn't know who the band was ? And why wouldn't they like it once they did hear it ?

The Trash Can Sinatras still have their sound going for them, but have managed to put out something very different from Cake and I've Seen Everything. Every song is excellent. Their ingenius wordplay still continues ("Beauty is sin deep" from "Twisted and Bent"). Though some songs obviously grab you sooner than others, like the one I mentioned, along with "Make Yourself At Home," The Genius I Was," and "I'll Get Them In.," eventually you begin to realise how awesome and beautiful every song is. If you do ever find this album, it's worth every pretty penny you might have to spend. I'm fortunate I got it for as little as I did. I would've easily spent 30 or 40 bucks, quid, yen, whatever. Brilliant to say the least. And some more great news... Their new one is finally coming out soon, entitled "Weightlifting." It's gonna be great !

...Not much more needs to be said. As for 'A Happy Pocket', it's probably one of my most treasured disks. They are coming on tour in the US in September 2004 and releasing a new album. If it is anything like 'Pocket', it should be one unbelievable album.

Easily one of the best pop records I've ever heard. I paid dearly for my copy, but it was worth every penny.

"A Happy Pocket" is right up there with the best records from groups like "The Lilac Time" and "The Innocence Mission". Every track is a gem. I would buy several copies for friends, if were ever to be re-released.

This album was blasted by critics upon its release. Not every song is a winner, but with the likes of "The Safecracker", "Twisted and Bent", "Unfortunate Age", which are equal to anything released by more acclaimed bands in the 90's, I find it hard to give it anything other than 5 stars. Even the cover of "To Sir, With Love" is far better than the fickle reviews describe it. It's a crime "The Safecracker" is not considered a classic.

This review is being written with the advent of the DVD release of TCS'S live shows at the Troubador. I decided to go back & listen to earlier Trash Cans and, even though they are among my favorite bands, I realized that I hadn't really given I've Seen Everything and A Happy Pocket a fair listen. Big mistake! As with all of Trash Can Sinatras music, A Happy Pocket is a superb collection of songs that continues in the same brilliant style with yet again a maturing of their lyrical and musical talent. Opening with the instrumental Outside, the next song Twisted & Bent is a good example of why no-one comes close to the genius lyrics that these guys dish out over & over. It's unbelievable! The rest of the album ebbs and flows with a wonderful variety of songs which showcase the band's determination to write songs that mean something and ignore the record companies that wanted them to produce hits. It's something that is rare if not impossible to find these days. If for no other reason at all, that is why Trash Can Sinatras deserve to be heard. A Happy Pocket just happens to also be great music that preceded their next great release Weightlifting.

TCS has done compelling work on this album. An excellent buy for any fan.