HAPPY SAD

"Happy Sad" is the Third full-length studio album by singer/songwriter Tim Buckley. The album was released through Elektra Records in July 1969. With "Happy Sad", Tim Buckley takes a big step away from the commercial folk pop/rock of his first two albums and enters the world of experimental and progressive folk rock. The basis in the music is still in blues and folk though. A darkness, that was only hinted at on the first two albums, has crept into the tracks on "Happy Sad". Best examplified in the tracks "Love From Room 109 At The Islander (On Pacific Coast Highway)" and "Dream Letter". While those two tracks are the highligths on the album to me, all tracks are actually of high quality and I really enjoy how this album sounds. The 12:19 minute long "Gypsy Woman" needs a mention too for its hypnotic and tripped atmosphere. It´s basicly one long jam. The music may seem a bit inaccessible at first listen but the melodies grow and most tracks are actually quite simple even though some of them feature sophisticated arrangements.

The music is pre-dominantly acoustic. Acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, vibes, marimba and congas are the instrumental foundation. Add to that some electric guitar leads and of course Tim Buckley´s strong and emotional vocals. He is such a powerful and distinct singer. His emotional delivery is deeply touching. The kinda delivery where you know the person who delivers it has lived through bad times...

The production is organic and there´s an organic live feel to the album that´s fascinating.

I´ve been a bit in doubt about what to rate "Happy Sad" but since it still grows on me with every listen my rating is 3.5 - 4 stars (75%). I like the development in Tim Buckley´s sound since the debut. The first two albums are good but this is where I would start if you´re interesterd in his more innovative and experimental sounding albums. The next couple of albums would explore this even further, but this could prove to be a "lighter" introduction to the more experimental part of his discography.