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Normal Happiness is a slightly-above-mediocre release from an artist who never dared to be mediocre; just inconsistent.
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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.
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Happiness sounds like a string of freaked-out AM hits.
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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.
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It kind of sounds like classic AM radio interpreted by a very strange garage rock band.
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While there are certainly some forgettable moments here... the refreshing news is that "Normal Happiness" can stand proudly amid the Pollard oeuvre.
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If Normal Happiness isn’t prime Pollard, neither does it fall into his voluminous discard pile.
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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.
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Under The RadarNormal Happiness is a quick study in what he does best, and nearly every song containsing at least one good idea. [#15]
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Mojo[It] delivers a pop-art contrast to the prog-opaque sprawl of its underrated predecessor. [Nov 2006, p.106]
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Alternative PressMuch 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]
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UrbOne of his better releases this year. [Oct 2006, p.122]
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UncutAs usual, Pollard sabotages his commercial potential with weak production values and occasionally straining vocals. [Dec 2006, p.121]
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Q MagazineBetween 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]
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Either too sugary or too bitter and complacent, Normal Happiness is a strictly a family affair.
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MagnetPollard's most efficient and exploratory album in years. [#73, p.99]
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Normal Happiness... could be one of his most satisfying sets.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 6 out of 8
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Mixed: 2 out of 8
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Negative: 0 out of 8
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ttheveJul 2, 2007
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AaronLJan 14, 2007
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EWayneJan 13, 2007Bob's produced another low-fi, power pop gem. Addictive listening.