Customer Reviews

In Pursuit of Your Happiness

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

 

 

For crying out loud, isn't anybody buying this guy's albums? Mulcahy has never gotten his due, and it would be a shame for this particular album to slide under the radar the way that most of his past recordings have.

This is a return to a full rock band setup, but not a return to Miracle Legion. Mark's songs here are crisp, catchy and diverse. His voice has matured and possesses a full range of expression, and the supporting band - a variety of guitars, pianos, organs and strings, played by Mark, Scott Helland, Joey Santiago and J. Mascis, among others - is perfect.

One of Mark's strengths has always been the way he captures childhood experiences with wit, intensity, and a sense of innocence and wonder (it is illustrative that a video track on the CD shows Mark romping around in a field with pigs). This is the quality that gives his songs of anger and disappointment - "the things I love, don't bring me joy; the things I want, I want to destroy," or the sarcastic tribute to phoniness in 'Nothing But a Silver Medal' - more poignancy. He's not just a guy whose music you appreciate. He's a guy who you know, and who you are pulling for.

Someone recently wrote that Mark Mulcahy is who Thom Yorke thinks he is, who Jeff Buckley could have been, and who Michael Stipe was. This is a great characterization, and Mark deserves to be included in that kind of company. If you've never heard Mulcahy before, then look no further - you have found your new favorite singer.

I have listened to "In Pursuit of Your Happiness" about 8 times through and I cannot remember the last time I felt so good when the aural pleasure response one feels when an album finally 'kicks in' hit me (probably listen 5).

This is a great album, working on the mind on a number of differnt levels. I did not think I could like an album better than "Smile Sunset," but this might be it.

Miauri's organ and Scott Helland's bass stand out for me (along with Mulcahy's distinctive guitar sound). Mascis' leads are subtle and wonderful as well. When you finally get to "He Vanished" you are as wasted as the narrator of the song.
What is the significance of the polaroid shot of the Organic Tomatoes dated 09-10-01 (the day before 9-11)?

This is one of the mysteries of this compelling album.

I like the fact that it was recorded in Hartford (recently cited as the No. 1 stress city in the USA).

This is more of a comment than a review. I just heard this guy on the radio. I rarely hear an original songwriter these days with Mulcahy's combination of sophistication and emotional resonance. I heard "Be Sure," "Patience," and "Can't Find a Reason to Let You Go," and, for once, I couldn't find a reason to turn off the radio.

I went right to the computer to order his CD. Please listen to his songs. If you don't nurture brilliance it may disappear. Order "In Pursuit of Your Happiness": it lives up to its title.

Aw, no reviews yet? Well, I guess I can understand that. Mulcahy has a rather small audience. Yet we're dedicated. And there's a reason for this: this guy makes wonderful music. His first two solo releases ("Fathering" and "SmileSunset") were equally excellent. His former band Miracle Legion is one of my favorite bands of all time ("Surprise Surprise Surprise" and "Me and Mr. Ray" are timeless LPs). And his little side gig Polaris helped make "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" one of the most loved television series of the 90's.

So it's obvious this guy deserves a lot more attention than he gets. His new LP only emphasizes this -- "In Pursuit of Your Happiness" is a great album. Not only that, but it's a lot more rock and roll than his other solo outings.

Apparently recorded in a much shorter amount of time than "SmileSunset" (which took a year), "Happiness" benefits from this. A lot of energy is found here. And it's not sloppy playing either; both J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) and Joey Santiago (guitarist for the Pixies) help Mulcahy out in wonderful ways. I sense a little Miracle Legion in a few of these songs.

If I had to pick out a few favorites, I'd say "Cookie Jar," "I Have Patience" (first single material), "Propstar" and "He Vanished." But all of them are really special in their own way.

Highly reccommended.

Okay. Let me tip my hat to Mr. Mulcahy and offer my utmost respect and adoration. I mean, he's been doing this for 21 years with Miracle Legion and then on his own, and for some reason he's STILL playing dives. I mean, seriously, how is he not the biggest sensation around? I've gotten all of my friends into his music (first through the Polaris album, then through this one) and they all agree he isn't getting his due. That's enough ranting for now, on to the review.
What an album! Oh my god, I can't seem to remove it from the stereo no matter what I do. I've heard everything Mulcahy's done, and I must say, as hard as it is for me to believe, he keeps getting better everytime. This album is easily in my top 20 albums of all time. From the beginning title track (an odd intro, but still well played) until the bar room sadness of the last song "He Vanished" (and the hidden track), this album stands and delivers, blowing your mind while entertaining and making you wanna rock out. The first time I listened to it, I just sat there stunned. I was amazed to say the least. Mulcahy takes simple chord progressions and turns them into ear candy so delicious that you'll be craving more instantaneously. If radio today was filled with songs like "Cookie Jar" and "Smack on the Lips", maybe I'd consider listening to the radio more often. Every song on here is strong and beautiful and catchy and makes me immediately want to break out my guitar and play along. "He Vanished" is an amazing tribute to a lost friend, "Be Sure" (specifically the violin solo) is the sound of heartbreak, "I Have Patience" is one of the best written 12-bar blues scale songs in years, and "Cookie Jar" is pop perfection. Don't just rely on my word, pick up this album for yourself. I assure you you will not be disappointed. Thank you Mark Mulcahy for doing what you do. If you're in pursuit of MY happiness, you don't have to look much further than this album.

This album is just simply a masterpiece as you listen to it more and more, and you will, as all these songs will become part of the sound track to your life.The brilliance of Mark to master the pop hook with deep masterful lyrical writing is one of life's greatest pleasures.

Mark Mulcahy has four solo releases since the demise of Miracle Legion. Songs here range from Mellow Rock to Lite Alt, with a tight and professional production that is gratifying as his songs deserve a neat and professional delivery. Mulcahy has earned critical acclaim for his singing and songwriting - artists within the industry revere him - but few passive music fans know of him. He is a strong songwriter, a gifted performer - this CD is definately worth exploring. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Lite Alt.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: Matt Keating, Elliott Smith.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Cookie Jar," "He Vanished," "Nothing But a Silver Medal."

Ah...all we have is words to describe what moves us, and that's a shame because sometimes they aren't enough. I've followed the trail of genius from the Adventures of Pete and Pete televison show (full of songs and music that get to me like nothing else) all the way to the source of that genius himself, Mark Mulcahy. It has been an adventure full of pleasant surprises and this album is a wonderful continuation of that. To everyone who doubts the quality of this music, I would just like to say this: Give it a chance and let it grow on you because 9 times out of 10 it will. You may not like it at first, but you will. This is not always music that hooks you right away, but once you understand it's beauty, you simply wont be able to get enough of it. As always, great album.