Grouplove Never Trust A Happy Song |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Itchin’ on a Photograph
2. Tongue Tied
3. Lovely Cup
4. Colours
5. Slow
6. Naked Kids
7. Spun
8. Betty’s a Bombshell
9. Chloe
10. Love Will Save Your Soul
11. Cruel and Beautiful World
12. Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten
| Ranking: #132 for 2011 | |
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On 10 Lists
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| Summary: The album and band that should have ruled our summer. |
10 of 10 thought this review was well written
Really, you have to wonder whose bright idea it was not to release Never Trust A Happy Song until now. It’s timing is appalling, given that Grouplove’s debut album is in essence the perfect summer record. Even now, I can imagine people sipping cocktails, lounging on the beach, getting wasted at house parties, or whatever else they do with their mid-year months with this album blasting in the background, so to release it no sooner than the leaves have begun to mellow seems like a missed opportunity to say the least. Poor marketing should not, however, detract from what a good album this is, and with a bit of luck they should still be able to come back and rule the festival circuit next year.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a flawless album by any means. There’s a definite slip in quality towards the mid-latter section, resulting in mildly enjoyable tracks which sadly still act as little other than filler. The isolated instances where the band veer from their trademark indie-pop sound also tend to fall flat, and although branching out is to be encouraged their attempts here are rarely successful. But when listening to the record, it’s not these negatives that you dwell on, rather the blissful sugary joy blended with Pixies-like grit which characterises the majority of the record, and culminates in some of the anthems which should have defined our summer.
'Colours' and 'Naked Kids' have been in circulation since the band’s excellent self-titled EP was released in February, and both sound just as fresh and vibrant now as they did seven months ago. Those established favourites only form part of the record’s scaffolding, though, with at least three other songs appearing which are just as good if not even better. Fans will already be familiar with terrific singles 'Itchin’ On A Photograph' and 'Tongue Tied,' but the real gem in the pack comes in the shape of third track 'Lovely Cup,' which possesses the same kind of simplistic but completely addictive hooks which have made overall inferior bands such as Vampire Weekend and MGMT so massive.
In fact, the mere thought of those two bands successes must be pretty sickly for Grouplove, because about half of the songs on this album could have been just as all-conquering as 'A-Punk' or 'Kids' had they been marketed properly. Hell, even Foster The People have managed to make a breakthrough in the past few months, yet their album was nothing more than three good songs surrounded by a swarm average ones. Torches was half the record that this is, yet it is they who are making strides on both sides of the Atlantic, while this far more worthy LA crew’s fanbase seems to be growing at the pace of a crippled turtle by comparison. Like I said, though, there’s always next year, and if they return with a few killer singles along with a similarly excellent sophomore there seems no reason why this immensely promising young band can't gain the wider recognition they fully merit.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
Album came out today in the UK, it's out on 13th September in the US
Originally written for http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/
Anyone with even any interest whatsoever in summery indie should give this a listen.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven | | |
ooooooooo
Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled Digging: Spraynard - Funtitled
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Nice review Ali. This doesn't sound like something I would enjoy ;]
Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows
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i've only heard Tongue Tied and it was a catchy fun, albeit meaningless and empty, song.
Digging: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Pamyu Pamyu Revolution Digging: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Pamyu Pamyu Revolution
| | | Album Rating: 4
Tongue Tied is one of the better moments on the album, but there are a lot of other songs like Itchin On A Photograph, Lovely Cup and Colours which have a lot more depth.
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I thought these guys were typeset as GROUPLOVE?
Anyway, EP was awesome so I'm really looking forward to getting this.
Digging: Kate Miller-Heidke - Nightflight
| | | Album Rating: 4
Not that I'm aware of, most mentions I've seen of them have been in lower case. If you liked the EP you're bound to like this, probably more so.
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yeh this band is so sweet. saw them at splendour in the grass and they are all just so loveable. EP is catchy as fuck, getting this now. nice review buddy.
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ugh, can't stand the song Tongue Tied or the video. nice review regardless.
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ugh, can't stand the song Tongue Tied or the video. nice review regardless.
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ugh, can't stand the song Tongue Tied or the video. nice review regardless.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Enjoyed their ep, cant wait to give this a spin. Strange to see this categorized as "Other" though.
Digging: Japandroids - Celebration Rock Digging: Japandroids - Celebration Rock | | | Album Rating: 4
Haha I didn't notice that, will alter.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Feature! Grats.
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I hate indie pop.
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you hate everything, you bitch!
| | | Album Rating: 4
Enjoyed this record. Nice review ali, best I've seen by you, and congrats on the feature. But should be "its" in second line!
Digging: Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record Digging: Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record | | |
I oughta try this out.
Maybe.
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congrats on the feature ali
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when I saw this album cover I knew it would be an indie band with female vocals
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