Customer Reviews

Happy Town

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In a perfect world, Jill Sobule would be incredibly famous and sell tons of records. She is an incredibly gifted songwriter with a irreverent, sly, wicked sense of humor. So ironic are many of her lyrics that some of the dimmer bulbs out there buying music may not (read: don't) "get" her or confuse her back-handed commentaries on a variety of topics with endorsements of them (the same problem dogs other such talented smart-asses like Randy Newman). Despite being featured on many a hit movie's soundtrack, she has never broken out as a major success. Too bad, because she's great, offering up catchy, interestingly-arranged songs about such topics as the religious right ("Soldiers of Christ"), struggles in the music biz ("Bitter"), Prozac ("Happy Town"), and high-school misfits ("Underacheiver"). This, her third disc, is more experimental and far-reaching than the one previous, "Jill Sobule," but both show a big talent waiting to be discovered. Buy this CD, become a Sobule convert, and hope she gets another recording contract (Atlantic dumped her due to poor sales).

...And how long does she plan on staying there? Almost every song on this album seemed like it could have been written by me. That is, if I had the time/energy/talent to write the insightful lyrics that Jill has given to us this time. "Happy Town" is the story of my life after the Prozac (bleh), "Underacheiver" is what my day-to-day life has been since the fourth grade, "Soldiers of Christ" made me both laugh and cry, when I realised just how damn true it was for me. And even if you aren't me (you poor souls!) I'm sure you'll find Jill's lyrics amazing & true, and her music is always, seems to be coming straight from the soul.

Jill Sobule must have been feeling the pressure after "I Kissed a Girl" hit the spotlight as a novelty, because the follow-up to "Jill Sobule" is a very serious affair. Lacking much of the zing of her breakthrough album but showing her mettle as songwriter, "Happy Town" is tailor made for the Lilith Fair crowd that was transforming the face of women in rock at that time. But it also lacks any songs with significant staying power.

The biggest winners here are the upbeat songs, like "Bitter" and "When My Ship Comes In," which are deceptively peppy kiss-offs (like "Good Person Inside" from the previous CD). The title track is an offbeat look at the effects of Prozac, and "Underachiever" is one of the many of Jill's great character songs.

But perhaps one of the best things her is "Soldiers Of Christ," which is just as biting now as it was in 1997:

"In the days of Cain and Abel

In the days of crusades

In the days of inquisitions

They made the damned behave

Before emancipation

Before Roe Vs. Wade

Before they taught little children

That they evolved from apes

The way it used to be

The way it ought to be

The way it's going to be again

And when we're in heaven you'll be sorry then."

In my humble opinion, the best thing on an otherwise lackluster album by a singer who has proven she's capable of greatness. If your new to Jill, start with "Jill Sobule" and "Underdog Victorious." If they enthrall you as they did me, come back for a return trip to "Happy Town."

I'm somewhat surprised at some of the reviews here...I thought this disc was of a higher quality than the first. Be that as it may, I was listening to this yesterday and thinking again how great Jill Sobule is. With a wonderful pop sensibility, incredibly clever lyrics and a quirky but somehow likeable voice - she is a melange of Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann and Cyndi Lauper - if you like aimee mann this artist is a slam dunk.

This is great music, from a great singer/songwriter. She is quick witted and you can truly relate to her music. This cd is, in my opinion, her best. This cd should be in anyones collection,if they enjoy all genres of music.

I became a fan of Jill after listening to her self titled album. A few months later, I bought this CD at a used music store. Jill has scored another winner! Her voice, lyrics, and music are so unique! Suspend disbelief and get this album!

If you've already heard Jill Sobule's self-titled and loved it, you may or may not like this album. I didn't...it's harsh, a bit flat, as if she were afflicted by the pills mentioned in the title cut. The bounce and joy and enthusiasm that so drew me in in her previous album have been transmuted, in most of the cuts, to something more serious, even harsh. At times she's brooding, her voice is rougher than before. If that's the kind of music you like, it might be a good album...I wouldn't know, since I don't. But if you're expecting more of what she delivered on her last album, don't. The flights of fancy and dreams have been subsumed in the modern rock standard mix of angst and anger.

Those waiting for Sobule to break-out had better check their outhouses, garages and basements because she has arrived!!! Annie, Madonna, Alanis et all, cannot compare; only Sam Phillips has the vocal range and intelligence to compete.

If there's one CD that I'd call Jill Sobule's magnum opus, I'd say that it'd be Happy Town. There's so much good material here.

This is one of my all-time favorite CDs. Jill has a way of pulling you into her words and worlds... her music really comes to life on this album!