Normal Happiness
by Robert Pollard
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Oct 10, 2006
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8

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  1. AaronL
    Jan 14, 2007
    4
    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.
  2. ttheve
    Jul 2, 2007
    9
    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.
  3. AndertonA
    Oct 11, 2006
    8
    in your aaaaarrrrmmmsss in your aaaaaaarrrrmmmsssss
  4. EstherW
    Nov 19, 2006
    9
    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.
  5. mikes.
    Oct 14, 2006
    5
    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 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.… Collapse
  6. BenjaminoV
    Oct 15, 2006
    9
    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.
  7. EWayne
    Jan 13, 2007
    9
    Bob's produced another low-fi, power pop gem. Addictive listening.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Urb
    70
    One of his better releases this year. [Oct 2006, p.122]
  2. The Guardian
    60
    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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  3. Billboard
    70
    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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