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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Normal Happiness
by Robert Pollard


7.7

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 8 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

From A Compound Eye

FILM:

Bubble

MUSIC:

Many of the songs on the former Guided By Voices leader's second solo set of the year originated in tracks recorded for the soundtrack to the Steven Soderbergh film "Bubble."

LABEL:	Merge
RELEASE DATE:	10 October 2006
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Normal Happens is a collection of short, breezy power-pop songs with a lo-fi edge. It's easy to listen to, easy to like.

Alternative Press

Much of Normal Happiness combines the effortless charm of classic power-pop with elements of prog as put through the filter of early Genesis or Ween; kind of like that last New Pornographers disc, but better. [Nov 2006, p.188]

Magnet

Pollard's most efficient and exploratory album in years. [#73, p.99]

All Music Guide

Normal Happiness is more in the tradition of his best work with GBV -- sixteen short songs (only one over three minutes, seven under two), with plenty of hooks, lots of guitar and no more fuss than necessary.

Mojo

[It] delivers a pop-art contrast to the prog-opaque sprawl of its underrated predecessor. [Nov 2006, p.106]

The Phoenix

Normal Happiness... could be one of his most satisfying sets.

Urb

One of his better releases this year. [Oct 2006, p.122]

Billboard

While there are certainly some forgettable moments here... the refreshing news is that "Normal Happiness" can stand proudly amid the Pollard oeuvre.

Under The Radar

Normal Happiness is a quick study in what he does best, and nearly every song containsing at least one good idea. [#15]

Pitchfork

Normal Happiness is a slightly-above-mediocre release from an artist who never dared to be mediocre; just inconsistent.

PopMatters

If Normal Happiness isn’t prime Pollard, neither does it fall into his voluminous discard pile.

The Guardian

While it eschews the unlistenable doodles that litter most of his albums (and comprise all of some) in favour of upbeat 60s-styled guitar pop, Pollard never quite pulls out the killer hook or the great chorus that he could manage at will in his early/mid-90s golden period.

Rolling Stone

Happiness sounds like a string of freaked-out AM hits.

Uncut

As usual, Pollard sabotages his commercial potential with weak production values and occasionally straining vocals. [Dec 2006, p.121]

Q Magazine

Between the unfinished and the clumsy, Pollard produces diamonds such as the wracked Give Up The Grape and sweetly breezy Boxing About. [Jan 2007, p.150]

NOW Magazine

It kind of sounds like classic AM radio interpreted by a very strange garage rock band.

Tiny Mix Tapes

Either too sugary or too bitter and complacent, Normal Happiness is a strictly a family affair.

The average user rating for this album is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

t theve gave it a9:
another excellent release- a new pollard release usually means4 or 5 new instant classics. here he comes through again. boxing about ia the most beautiful song he 's ever writte. Faceful and Full Sun and Towers/Landslides are the others that got stuck in my head for months and I could'nt stop enjoying them. Love it.

Aaron L gave it a4:
A few excellent moments surrounded by heaps of filler. The higher accessibility of Normal Happiness' songs - quick riffs, power chords, even a power ballad - translates to losing the Wire-meets-The Fall feel that made From A Compound Eye one of the best GbV-related releases ever. Ignore this one and get From a Compound Eye instead.

E Wayne gave it a9:
Bob's produced another low-fi, power pop gem. Addictive listening.

Esther W gave it a9:
A bountifull box of tasty two-minute musical bon-bons, and I can't stop with just one. This is maybe the best new record I've heard all year so far.

Benjamino V gave it a9:
Another Pollard classic. More instantaneous and accessible than the excellent FaCE that came out in Jan. This one finds Pollard knocking out subversive little pop ditties with hooks a-plenty.

mike s. gave it a5:
More of the same from Robert Pollard, at first the album seems inviting and intriguing. However, as you continue to listen one realizes all the songs sound the same. Come to think of it this album sounds like every other album he has released. Points off for not doing anything innovative. feels like Pollard is recycling on tunes and going through the motions rather than attempting to release something half inspired.

Normal Happiness by Robert Pollard

Normal Happiness
by Robert Pollard