HAPPY SONGS FOR HAPPY PEOPLE

Stylistically "Happy Songs For Happy People" is the natural successor to "Rock Action". The basis of the music is still slow building, atmospheric post-rock, which is centered on the use of guitars, bass, and drums, but the introduction of piano/keyboards/synths and the occasional electronic undercurrent on "Rock Action" (2001) is continued on "Happy Songs For Happy People" and intensified slightly. The music is still predominantly instrumental, although Barry Burns does sing on "Hunted by a Freak" and "Killing All the Flies", and John Cummings sings on "Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep". Stuart Braithwaite who contributed vocals on the previous Mogwai releases does not sing here.

The core of the music is relatively simple and alternates between mellow sections and louder multi-layered sections. Great emotions are build from the beautiful yet subdued melodies and often you have to listen really well to hear everything that´s going on. Their use of layered melodies that compliment each other and the generally mellow atmospheric mood of the music are soothing to the ears, but Mogwai can rock out a bit more when that is called for. The album features 9 tracks and only one longer song in "Ratts of the Capital". It´s a beutiful and powerful song that builds from a mellow start to a great closing climax. Other standout tracks on an overall very strong album is the opener "Hunted by a Freak", the beautiful and melancholic "Moses? I Ain't" (which features cello) and "Killing All the Flies". As mentioned "Happy Songs For Happy People" is however a very strong album and there´s nothing sub par featured on this release.

The musicianship is strong on all posts. There´s lots of emphasis on emotion and attention to detail, which is exactly what this type of music needs. "Happy Songs For Happy People" also features a warm, organic, and well sounding production job, which suits the material perfectly, so upon conclusion it´s a hiqh quality release by Mogwai, showing progress and an adventurous spirit, as well as fine musicianship, and high level production values. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

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