Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
41 used & new from $1.99

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Available to Download Now
 
Buy the MP3 album for $8.91
 
 
 
 
Happy Songs for Happy People
 
See larger image
 

Happy Songs for Happy People [ENHANCED]

Mogwai
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews) More about this product

List Price: $11.98
Price: $11.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

23 new from $7.66 18 used from $1.99
Buy the MP3 album for $8.91 at the Amazon MP3 Downloads store.

Amazon's Mogwai Store
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more. Visit the store.

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $1 worth of MP3 downloads from Amazon MP3 after you order your item. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Purchase this CD and get 12 issues of Rolling Stone for only $2.95. that's less than $0.25 an issue. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Dominic Aitchison shares his favorite music with Amazon customers. See all artists' picks on our Music You Should Hear page.

  • Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.


Frequently Bought Together

Happy Songs for Happy People + Mr. Beast + Rock Action
Price For All Three: $34.95

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Rock Action

Rock Action

~ Mogwai
4.4 out of 5 stars (49)  $11.98
Come on Die Young

Come on Die Young

~ Mogwai
$11.98
Young Team

Young Team

~ Mogwai
5.0 out of 5 stars (2)  $14.98
Ep + 6

Ep + 6

~ Mogwai
4.3 out of 5 stars (3)  $12.98
Come on Die Young

Come on Die Young

~ Mogwai
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
  • Original Release Date: June 17, 2003
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Enhanced
  • Label: Matador Records
  • ASIN: B00009ATKS
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,007 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. Hunted By A Freak 4:16$0.99 Buy Track
listen  2. Moses? I Amn't 3:00$0.99 Buy Track
listen  3. Kids Will Be Skeletons 5:27$0.99 Buy Track
listen  4. Killing All The Flies 4:35$0.99 Buy Track
listen  5. Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep 3:05$0.99 Buy Track
listen  6. Ratts Of The Capital 8:25$0.99 Buy Track
listen  7. Golden Porsche 2:48$0.99 Buy Track
listen  8. I Know You Are But What Am I? 5:17$0.99 Buy Track
listen  9. Stop Coming To My House 4:53$0.99 Buy Track


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Adventurous Scot rockers Mogwai may never shake reputation for creating brutal music, but Happy Songs for Happy People demonstrates that they can do more than render the aural equivalent of being sucked out a spaceship airlock. Until now, Stuart Braithwaite had taken on the role of Mogwai's bandleader by proxy, his tumultuous guitar playing serving as the outfit's hallmark. Now, however, multi-instrumentalist Barry Burns has stepped to the fore--albeit, with much more restraint--crooning effects-heavy vocals on "Hunted By a Freak" and teasing out a meditative piano line on the ghostly "I Know You Are But What Am I?" Indeed, more than any other Mogwai work, this album aims to create sheer bliss. Even the amp-busting crescendo of "Ratts of the Capital" matches its dark-metal pomp with chiming orchestra bells and starburst lead-guitar lines. No sudden banjo interludes or guest vocals jar with the album's slow passage toward its conclusion. True, it's hard to shake the feeling that they'll never again write something as monumental as Come On Die Young. But Mogwai still sound lush and powerful. Their time hasn't passed. --Louis Pattison

Product Description
The fourth album from Glasgow's kings of glowering, volatile quasi-instrumental rock is subtler than their previous work, compositionally beautiful but intense and trance-inducing at the same time. 9 tracks. Matador. 2003.

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(2)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

 

Customer Reviews

47 Reviews
5 star:
 (24)
4 star:
 (15)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (47 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Embrace this black hole of guitar dissonace, October 18, 2003
By Sacco (here there and everywhere) - See all my reviews
"Happy Music For Happy People" is perhaps a new dawn for Mogwai. Having almost completely abandoned their once trade mark slow creep to raging cacophany style, Mogwai opt for a 'wall of sound' steam-roller of guitars, drums and various other 'noise' producing instruments. First seeping into the listeners mind, then enveloping them in an almost narcotic haze, "Happy Music For Happy People" seeks to be the most seductive 'downer' album of all time.

The 'emotion' of this album is similar to that of Radiohead's masterpiece of inertiatic melancholy "Ok Computer". As the opening track "Hunted By A Freak" suggests there is a hint of paranoia in Mogwai's tunes these days. Infact it is best to think of "Happy Music For Happy People" as an entity or person with whom you are experiencing the world around. The early paranoia gives way to an insignificance as the album progresses, and if you close your eyes you can almost envision yourself walking through the streets of a town, the noise of life muted by sheets of rain, and the colours dimmed in a pervading mist of grey. Your destination is of no importance, rather the journey is thought provoking, no epiphanys, but an overwhelming sense of awareness of life. The music is awash in guitars that drizzle, snippets of vocals the flow like water down a drain, and they steady background plod of drums.

You are not going to play "Happy Music For Happy People" at a party, or as something to get the blood pumping too, well not unless you wish to sonically wither all listeners into a near catatonic state. This is music for headphones, an album to submerge yourself in when you are in an introspective mood wishing to be left in solitude. This a cohesive journey, a slice of emotional reflection that flows from song to song.

I will not say you are going to pick up this (or any Mogwai) album and be enthralled with what you hear. People who like songs that are well defined and get straight the point will find Mogwai boring. Though if your willing to simply listen and not care about the destination (or even moving at all) you might just find an album you will hold dear for many years to come.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful music to have while lying down, August 20, 2003
Truth be told, I was getting a bit tired of radio hits and songs with singing. Not that I hate them, it's just a lot of them sounded alike: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, end. After getting into Sigur Ros, I started to get more into this so-called "post rock" explosion and found my way to Mogwai. Well, this is what you call "headphone music", something where you can just put it on and let it envelop you as you close your eyes.

Hunted by a Freak: You know those moments in songs where you just wanna listen to that song again SOLELY to listen to that one part? This has it. It starts out nice and quiet with arpeggioed electric guitar then it kicks into a haunting vocal chorus. That part you ask? 2:49-3:27. Especially when they repeat that chorus for the 2nd time. Amazing stuff. 12/10

Moses I Ain't: Soft plaintive keyboard intro then is joined by a cello(?), and continues for 3 minutes. It's not really much of a song, really. 7.5/10

Kids Will be Skeletons: Neat little harmonic intro with subtle strings then a 2nd guitar comes in. Another relaxing song with a slow building crescendo 9/10

Killing all the Flies - Another relaxing intro with 2 guitars going on at once doing different lines, then this strange vocal comes in the background which changes another haunting vocals.(Get used to these, there's plenty of them here) which builds to a huge finale then quiets down. How's that for dynamics? 8.5/10

Boring Machines Disturb Sleep - Strange sci-fi like sounds open this song with low mixed vocals(whoa!). Kind of like Robot Chant or O I Sleep extended a couple minutes 8/10

Ratts of the Capital - Longest song on album. Very faint guitar riff then the drums and bass join in for a slow build up until a rather gorgeous little section. Lots of tempo changes. Can be seen as this album's centerpiece. 9/10

Golden Porsche - Very short(2:51) might as a nice melancholy feel to it. Again, another relaxing song, despite it being short. 8/10

I Know You Are but What Am I: A repeating piano key with a couple chords thrown in until a drum machine comes in almost 2 minutes later. Rather slow but definately not a throw away. 7.5/10

Stop Coming to My House: Quiet haunting beginning until halfway when it introducecs strange noises while maintaining a solemn background. This is like the equivalent of the aftermath of a car crash. Ends with this cartoon(yes I said cartoon) ending with kids and crazy music. 8/10

This was the first Mogwai I listened to so I can't compare it to the others but for a first timer, absolutely pleasant work

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stop Coming to My house, March 15, 2004
As I descend further and further into the bottomless hole that is music, I continue to unearth new and exciting artists the likes of which I could have never imagined existed. Mogawi is one of my finest discoveries yet, an amazing band that have the rare ability to craft beautiful songs that sound fresh and stimulate happiness.

Happy Songs for Happy People is my introduction to Mogwai, and what a first impression it has made upon me. For weeks I have stayed up late nights listening to this CD, totally entranced by its beauty. Happy Songs is a beautiful some what instrumental post-rock album with a very mellow and relaxed feel. melodies and guitar float in the air while solid percussion and string arrangments keep things grounded while exploring new heights at the same time. Listening to this album feels like cool autumn nights, my best dreams, and butterflies in my stomach all in one.

As cliche as it sounds, I can't describe the album in words, nor can I describe its beauty. See other reviews for detailed descriptions of Mogwais sound or songs on this album. I can't say any more than that this is a beautiful album, but that's really all that needs to be said.

Review in a nutshell: Happy Songs for Happy People is a lush, full musical experience that I can not get enough of.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars In its own class
An album of savage beauty, incredible dissonances and buildups that peak with the utterly staggering 'Ratts of the Capital. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. Duncan

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Mogwai Album
For my money, this is their best album. The big difference between this album and some of their others (which are very good as well), is that this album is more fan friendly, a... Read more
Published 23 months ago by SUPERMAN

4.0 out of 5 stars More Rock Action
In a way this album exemplifies the musician's perennial problems of trying to square the circle by coming up with something different whilst staying the same. Read more
Published on May 31, 2007 by Laurence Upton

2.0 out of 5 stars Eh...
It's not that it's bad...it just isn't very good. When I listen, I keep waiting for this catharsis that never seems to happen. Read more
Published on April 14, 2006 by crunky

3.0 out of 5 stars Continuing the logical progression
3 1/2 stars

This is like a more solid, more experienced version of what Rock Action sought to be.. Read more
Published on March 14, 2006 by IRate

4.0 out of 5 stars music for the night.
i like to listen to this album at night when i am alone. it is a great album to just sit back and get lost in the moods of the music.... Read more
Published on December 29, 2005 by jeff mahoney

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Relax
This isn't the best music to drive to, but when you want to just sit down and relax its the way to go. Read more
Published on December 12, 2005 by R. Collins

4.0 out of 5 stars Scoaaaaatland
I accidently drifted into Mogwai in '01 from a Nick Drake phase I was going through. I had was not into Sigur Ros yet, and I had not heard anything like it. Read more
Published on October 26, 2005 by R. Harvey

5.0 out of 5 stars N.B.
Obviously I love this CD. Mogwai is one of my favorite bands (they and Do Make Say Think alternate for the top spot). Listen to the clips to get a taste. Read more
Published on August 18, 2005 by Juan Camarillo

3.0 out of 5 stars Mogwai step forward, but with the other leg staying behind
A strong album as a whole but when compared to other albums by Mogwai it falters slightly, although more experimental it points a direction more than takes you there... Read more
Published on June 21, 2005 by C. Buchanan

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


SoundUnwound Says...

Happy Songs for Happy People opens new browser window by Mogwai opens new browser window is mainly Post-rock, quite Alternative Rock, with hints of Alternative”

Disagree? Cast your vote now! opens new browser window

Share your knowledge and explore the rest of the music world at SoundUnwound.com opens new browser window

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Happy Songs for Happy People
68% buy the item featured on this page:
Happy Songs for Happy People 4.2 out of 5 stars (47)
$11.98
Mr. Beast
13% buy
Mr. Beast 4.2 out of 5 stars (31)
$10.99
Rock Action
8% buy
Rock Action 4.4 out of 5 stars (49)
$11.98
Young Team
6% buy
Young Team 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
$14.98

So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category


Music You Should Hear™: Artists' Picks

Music You Should Hear
Want to know what Norah Jones, Sting, and Il Divo are listening to? Find out in Music You Should Hear™, where these and other artists tell you about the music they love.
 

Maintain Your Outdoor Furniture

Shop for Protective Varnishes and Applicators
Browse the Painting Tools & Supplies Store for a wide variety of protective varnishes and applicators to shield your outdoor furniture from harsh elements.

Shop for varnish tools and supplies

 
Music Essentials
Greats from the Greatest Explore our Music Essentials Store and find music from over 500 essential artists and composers, watch videos, and vote for the most essential artist.
 
Read Our Blog
For more about music, check out ChordStrike, a minor blog for major music lovers™.
 

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Darkfever
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
The Lost Symbol
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
$16.17

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates