This is by far the hardest post I have ever had the privilege to write. I am writing it regardless though because I believe this band is truly great and off to an amazing start. I originally heard about Happy Birthday on Stereogum (a great music blog). The song was called "Girls FM" which was pretty good, very poppy and up-beat but very repetitive and a little trying. I soon forgot about them. A month or two later I stumbled upon the lonely little album, a tiny little broken musical note gracing the cover of the album. I grabbed it and noticed it was the debut album of that band I had only just recently tossed aside as a little novelty.
I popped the CD in to my computer put on my headphones and closed my eyes. The first song burst in to my headphones, I was once again listening to "Girls FM," still a little unimpressed but still curious. The next ten songs I heard exemplified so many different genres at once. Songs like "Zit" were pure punk, but then it slowed down to songs like "Subliminal Message" with a much softer feeling. A raw sound exudes itself off of the album, not unlike the VU but with more of an updated sound with the curious vocals akin to Ted Leo + The Pharmacists. The music was amazing, and got increasingly more interesting with each track. Culminating with my favorite track- "Fun" a total slowed down feel that just pours itself out like warm water going over your head, a completely mellow and complex feel simoultaneously.
To think the self-titled album only came out a month ago after the band formed for just one show in 2008. The album feel polished and raw at the same time, each track containing seemingly months of thought. I'd mark this album down as a must buy (or do a shady download).
"Girls FM" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
"Subliminal Message" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
-S
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