Customer Reviews

Happy The Man

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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Those of a certain age and musical taste might wonder if this Dublin-based modern folk-pop trio borrowed the title of their sophomore release from the mid-70s American prog-rock group of the same name. And though their time signatures are straightforward and their melodies purely hummable, the lush production and use of synthesizers suggest a sonic link. The title might also have been pinched from an obscure 1972 Genesis single about the simple life of a fool, but most likely it was taken from Goethe, whose quote "Happy the man who early learns the wide chasm that lies between his wishes and his powers," provides an apt description of the album's tug-of-war between the foolishness and futility of desire. Title analysis aside, this follow-up to 2005's ...Waltzing Alone continues to mix vocal harmonies with warm backings that are synthesized out of both acoustic instruments and electronic keyboards. Not as evident this time are the vocal-and-guitar pieces, like "Ozymandias" and "Cold Truth," that brought comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel.

The new arrangements have more studio layers and up-front synthetic touches, bringing to mind the post-Haircut 100 works of Nick Heyward, and Britpop stalwarts like Oasis and Radiohead. There are feints to New Romanticism, but the results are warmer than such synth-inflected ancestors, as production craft is blended with natural vocal harmonies and lyrics that are both introspectively personal and philosophically expansive. The disc's opener, "Fee Da Da Dee," encompasses all this, with lyrics that extrapolate the personal pain of irretrievable love to anguish manifested as a fatalistic lack of control. The song's resignation is both disconcerting and comforting as it suggests that one is no more likely to change the mind of a lost lover than to escape the destiny of time. The noirish dichotomies continue with a heart continually rebroken by the past-tense of happy memories, an opportunity doomed to fail, and an incendiary femme fatale, all shaded by Badfinger-quality melancholy.

Defeat is found in hopeless souls who despair of self-defined failures, bleak visions of the future and uncaring treatment by an ambivalent universe. The last is summed up in the chorus of "Just Not Just" with "Cos not everything you run to wants you / and not everything you love will love you / it's the tragedy of dreamers." A final verdict is rendered by the closing revelation that "Heaven Has a Heart," but it's made of stone. In contrast to the lyrical depression, the songs build beautifully, from a delicate drum machine figure, glockenspiel and pump organ drone into bouncy chamber pop on "Her Beautiful Ideas," and from moody drum-and-bass into synthetic orchestral-pop for the hallucinatory cloud cover of "Sunshine Makes Me High." The album's dark feelings of helplessness take several listens to absorb, but the upbeat musical vibes make them surprisingly easy to swallow. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]

Having been privileged to hear them three times live now, I couldn't be happier with the Guggenheim Grotto. The perfect blend of soulful music and magical lyrics, this duo is perfect anytime. Their sophomore effort seems to bring a little more 'pop' to their tunes than the previous Waltzing Alone, but is still recognizably brilliant. I expect to see them gaining even more popularity with two cd's under their belts and am eagerly awaiting a third. If you haven't already, be sure to check out their two EP's. What Is This Feeling is a wonderful song, especially live with only Mick's ukulele and the boys' voices.

An impressive album from a group that is on its way. Its soothing melodies inspire thought and reflection. I not only give this album 5 stars, but a high recommendation to any listener.