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- Summary: This is the debut album for the rock band from Vermont.
- Record Label: Sub Pop
- Genre(s): Indie, Rock
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 9 out of 12
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Mixed: 3 out of 12
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Negative: 0 out of 12
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Thomas' craft is tremendous for a newcomer, especially in an indie-rock moment that needs it.
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Happy Birthday may be bedroom lo-fi from the fuzzy sound to the scribbled cartoon cover art, the buzzing guitars to the off-kilter subject matter of the songs, but they transcend any limitations of the style (real or imagined) by writing songs that would be great no matter how they were recorded.
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Thomas doesn’t need to be so shy anymore; with a solid debut and complimentary bandmates, he’s comfortably found his outlet.
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These tunes are fun and youthful, but also grown up and varied--there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re blasting this record at the park with mates or in the car on a road-trip or sitting on the beach--all you need is a little sunshine and wine (not in the car, though, please) and let Thomas, Garbus and Weisman take you to that place we all remember well (fondly or not).
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Sonically, we’ve got a pastiche of historically catchy musical styles, with a Lou Reed touch here, a Superchunk riff there, a 10cc harmony under it all.
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While this does fall in with a pretty crowded lo-fi movement going on, Happy Birthday is also an unabashed pop record unafraid to wear its grainy heart on its sleeve.
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Under The RadarA handful of fun tracks here, but no overly impressive. [Winter 2010, p.72]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 0 out of
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Mixed: 0 out of
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Negative: 0 out of