Never Trust A Happy Song [CD]

Grouplove make a big, happy noise. The sound is fat and melodic;
the hooks memorable; the energy jump-up-and-down-friendly. This
tidy little ensemble comprises : Christian Zucconi/guitar and lead
vocals; Hannah Hooper/keyboards and vocals; Sean Gadd/bass; Andrew
Wessen/more guitars and Ryan Rabin/drums. There are twelve numbers
in the set which, in no time at all, you'll find yourself singing
along to. Production duties fall to Mr Rabin and he does his job well.

Mr Zucconi has an able voice with a nice raspy edge to it. He is well
supported by Ms Hooper who contributes simple but effective harmonies.
(She also contributes a fragile but affecting solo performance on 'Slow').

Things kick off in fine style with opening track 'Itchin' On A Photograph';
a strong tune with a rock solid backbeat and a plaintively hollered vocal
from Mr Zucconi. 'Tongue Tied', which follows, is one of the album's
highlights; a stomping great anthem full of loping bass, sparkling synth
and a chorus to wave your hands in the air to. Generous and uplifting.
The playful, reggae-tinged 'Lovely Cup' is another cracking composition
and 'Spun' is so full of brio that Mrs Wolf twisted an ankle bouncing
around the kitchen (rolling pin in hand) whilst attempting to create some
high-kicking moves to accompany it! 'Betty's Bombshell' slows things down
a tad but not at the expense of melody or harmonic structure. 'Cruel and
Beautiful World' with its almost folksy ambience and charming lyrics opens
out into a full-bodied arrangement which rattled our foundations and closing
track 'Close Your Eyes and Count To Ten' (sporting some splendid howling)
rounds things off beautifully in a blazing haze of reverb-sodden grandeur.

As debuts go Grouplove have delivered a cracker with 'Never Trust A Happy Song'.

Recommended.

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 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.

The first 4 tracks which are the singles are brilliant, the rest of the album is dissapointing. I wish I had just bought the singles.