“Happiness Ltd” Sire Records Released - September 10^th

Just as many began to write off the Canadian quartet HHH release their third record since 2005’s well received “Elevator”, which spawned radio hits like “Middle of Nowhere” and “Goodnight Goodnight”. The latest offering also showcases new guitarist Luke Paquin after the departure of Dante DeCaro. “Happiness Ltd” has been in the making since the band started to tour “Elevator” in 2005. It was decided that the next record was to be written on the road so the influences would be more varied, plus they’d get a chance to road test the songs as they went along.

This record definitely has plenty of different feels and moods so writing in such places as Spain, Japan, Australia and the UK has definitely given HHH an album that boasts some of their most experimental stuff to date. “Outta Heart” appears to be the most unusual for HHH, the falsetto vocal, Theremin and orchestra could allow this tune to quite easily fit nicely into a Flaming Lips B sides compilation excusing Bays vocal. You still have the normal witty word plays and catchy melodies but “Happiness Ltd” is without doubt the biggest sounding collection of songs we’ve had from the Victoria boys to date.

Although it’s clear that the band have been buzzing off the bigger sounding tunes there’s still one or two amongst the epics suitable only for sweaty indie nights up and down the country. “My Best Friend” definitely heads up the charge for a hearty jump around with your mates on a Saturday after straying into your local indie joint before filling your face with a regrettable king size donner kebab.

The band have worked closely on the production of this record but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to learn that they’ve also called on the services of Tim Palmer (U2, Bowie, The Cure) along with Rob Cavallo better known for work with Green Day and MCR. The record goes places you wouldn’t expect it to and has arrangements and tricks to make the seedy and dark sound pretty. For me “Harmonica’s and Tambourines” is a real stand out tune and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as the first contribution to the charts off the new record. If it does it will also probably be the first song in the charts to contain four drum kits at once!

Its difficult not compare this record to something The Killers would put out but who cares, if you like that big sound this record will be one your glad you got hold of.

by Neil

“Lyrically the album is about struggling to hold on to optimism and innocence in the wake of having your heart crushed”. “It covers the journey from bliss to misery and the attempt to get back to bliss, while acknowledging how exciting the ride can be in between”. “There’s an arc to the record as a whole, it almost comes across like a film, musically and lyrically”.

(Steve Bays)