Never Trust a Happy Song

Grouplove | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B005EMNL4G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,730 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Never Trust A Happy Song was produced by the band's own Ryan Rabin and comes on the heels of their acclaimed, self-titled EP released early 2011. Heralded by NME as one of the "Best New Bands of 2010," Grouplove closed '10 touring the U.S. with The Joy Formidable and being handpicked to open a number of West Coast dates for Florence + The Machine. Since then, the band has been on the road nearly non-stop. SPIN declared Grouplove "a band to watch in 2011" and called their track "Colours" "one of the most infectious songs you're bound to hear," while NPR described their music as "wild, thrilling and above all joyful noise."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm afraid I like the Amazon previews better than the album itself February 4, 2013

By Spencer Case

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm afraid I like the Amazon previews better than the songs on the album. I bought the album on a whim because it was cheap and Amazon recommended it. I really enjoyed some of the songs, especially Lovely Cup, and I listen to it to work out, but on the whole it is disappointing. Clearly, the instrumental talent here is very ordinary. So, too, are the lyrics. Some of the reviewers disagree with me on this point, so let me give you an example from Naked Kids:

"Cruising on the highway with my friends, top down
And we're all on our way to the beach.
And everyone keeps laughing at the those we are passing,
As we're sucking down that bonnie, bonnie weed.

Oh yeah
Oh yeah"

Or this from Betty's a Bombshell:

"Betty's a bombshell, she just got paid
Crossing the street on passion and gates[?]
Billy's a looker, he's from upstate
He ran into Betty and he took her on a date

And it's a
Sunny day, we will
Go away on a
Holiday."

Maybe you see these lyrics as a wonderfully creative expression of youthful freedom. I know simple words can be beautiful. You don't need big words to make big feelings, as Ernest Hemingway said. But I'm not feeling it. All of this strikes me as solidly mediocre. I feel like I've heard it before, and the album, which I've had for a week, already sounds tired. Why listen to this when there are great songwriters like Josh Ritter out there who need more fans? Or great instrumentalists like the Punch Brothers who need more fans?

My verdict: mediocre.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Harmonious California Sun and Great Tunes September 13, 2011

By Tommy D TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

I got this on pre release based on the strength of their first EP simply called `Grouplove'. It is just summer, fun and soaring vocals that bring a smile to your face. It opens with `Itchin on a photograph', which sets the scene with hand claps opening onto a full throttle harmonious bout of sing along danceable fun. Hannah Hooper does great backing (and lead) vocals, and all the artwork too. Mind you all six contribute and they really do enjoy their performance.

Track 2 `Tongue Tied' is equally up and poppy - and make no mistake experimental this aint. It is the sort of thing that makes you want to sing and dance along, which in my case tends to annoy anyone within ear shot. There is no lyric sheet and you don't need it as everything is very clear and unchallenging, which some will see as a criticism, but this is escapist fun and full of positivity and good times. `Lovely Cup' is one I remember them playing when I saw them at `Latitude Festival' and it sounds as good on record, and it is followed by `Colours' which was the opener on their previous EP. Now a mate of mine said that was a bit pants as it means buying the same song twice. However there are only two tracks from that EP, the other is the brrrilliant `Naked Kids' and as there are 12 songs here, we are actually getting ten new ones. So glass a load more than half full in my books.

Track 5 has Hannah do the lead vocals and takes the pace down a tad, but in a nice change of pace way that keeps up the momentum with some lovely atmospheric bells and soaring guitar. Fans of ukelele (I thought it was a mandolin) will love `Spun', this gets us back on track with the driving bass lines and if one were being honest, simplistic lyrics, that are delivered in an effortless way that few can match. I love `Cruel and Beautiful World' the penultimate track, this is a slower one still has their fingerprints all over it especially when they get to the chorus. It closes with `Close Your Eyes'; and this is one that will leave you wanting more. All in all a great follow up and a welcome and impressive debut album, just do yourself a favour and go get this - it will remind you of the summer you wanted to have had and if you get the chance go see them live too - they are superb.

24 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best release of 2011 besides their EP September 16, 2011

By lurocker

Format:Audio CD

For anyone wondering whether Never Trust a Happy Song delivers, the answer is a strong yes. I had never heard of Grouplove before their self titled EP came out earlier this year. The 6 song EP was just a tease leaving my foot tapping, hands clapping and me wanting more. Colours and Naked Kids were featured on the EP but find a warm place on Never Trust a Happy Song. This will probably be categorized under 'indie' music but I really think it has a wider appeal than just indie music. Elements of folk,pop,some electronica,alternative,and rock are incorporated into this release as well as indie.

This is infectious music that is full of wonderful harmonies, good times and smiles. That might not be cool for you indie hipsters but that's great because the world could do without any more hipsters who swear by Bon Iver and the XX. With 2 singers and plenty of harmony in the songs, they will be stuck in your head and want you to give the disc repeated listens.

There have been some good releases in 2011, such as My Morning Jacket's Circuital, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Beady Eye, Foo Fighters, Primus and more but I think this could be the best release of 2011 so far. Of all the previously mentioned releases, Never Trust a Happy Song will probably get the most spins and repeated listens from me because its just fun and is uplifting, and at music's core, isn't that what it should be about?

I've never written a review before on Amazon but Grouplove deserves to be heard and enjoyed by the masses. Here's to great success and many more great albums by Grouplove!