MINIMAL GODS

The very welcome return of the excellent Japanese band Happy Family. The band released two heavy complex noisy Zeuhl albums in 95 (s/t) & 97 (Tossco) then disappeared. They have now returned 15 years later. All three albums are on the wonderful Cuneiform label.

The instrumental quartet is made up of keyboards, guitar, bass & drums feature three of the members who were on the last album, Kenichi Morimoto - keyboards, Takahiro Izutani - guitar Keiichi Nagasse - drums, and with new bassist Hidemi Ichikaw.

They bring a King Crimson & Magma flavor to distinctly Japanese Metal in a similar vein to Bondage Fruit.

If you like it heavy, complex & noisy look no further, it's a winner.

I think the most surprising news for me in 2014 was hearing that HAPPY FAMILY was releasing a new album. They released two studio albums in the nineties and I just thought they were done. I listened to a short audio clip and I was sold. Like their earlier albums this is heavy and complex and all instrumental. In fact after my first listen i'm thinking this is more Math Rock than Zeuhl, I just don't hear that Zeuhl flavour at all on this one. The keyboards don't always do it for me so I would rate their first two albums higher than this one but they are all 4 star records in my opinion.

"Slide" is heavy-duty and quite growly and deep sounding. Angular guitar leads follow and they will come and go. Just an intense slab of instrumental music. "No Talent, No Smell" is another complex piece that is very mathy. I'm not a fan of some of the keyboard sounds but this is an excellent song overall. "Rodrigo" is heavy again with keys playing over top. It does settle some as the contrasts continue. Ripping guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Portal Site For Sightseeing" has some light shining in it for a change as we get an almost feel good vibe. Check out the guitar and drum work after 2 1/2 minutes. Amazing! Nice bass lines before 5 minutes as well. This is an uptempo track with lots going on. "Doggy-Human Contest" is uptempo with keys as the guitar plays over top. Check out the drum work as well. Some cool guitar/keyboard interplay around 3 1/2 minutes in then it turns dark and heavy 4 minutes in. Nice. Nasty and growly organ runs follow along with some deep bass grooves.

"Animal Spirit" has riffing and more in this fairly heavy and complex piece. The keyboards are all over it as well. "Cat Riding Roomba" is crazy fast with so much going on. There's a Zappa flavour to this one. It does settle back at times but not a lot. "Celestial Illegal Construction" opens with keys as some kick-ass drums join in. The guitar starts to make some noise over top. I like the guitar solo after 3 minutes here. Not a fan of the synths before 4 minutes though. It ends in a more calm manner. "Tibadabo" is very mathy with keys, guitar and drums standing out. It settles down before a minute but contrasts will continue. Great sound 2 1/2 minutes in with liquid keys then the guitar lights it up before it settles back again. "Feu De Joie" has this heavy and growly sound to start before a calm with keys takes over quickly. Back to the heaviness with organ. Synths play over top in a high pitched manner. Themes are repeated. What a killer closing track.

I was expecting more I must admit but this is still a very impressive album and comeback by HAPPY FAMILY.