Cursive.
Happy Hollow - Cursive
(Saddle Creek: 08/22/06)
Rating: 6.0
Easilly my most anticipated release for the summer of '06. Granted, I already had a copy of this album at the beginning of the summer, but seeing as the buzz around Happy Hollow started back around March quite enough anticipation had built up beforehand to account for the rest of the season. From the first Tim Kasher interview I read about Happy Hollow my mind was set on one thing, this album will undoubtedly be amazing... Or, it will be the biggest mistake Cursive could possibly make. And for a while, upon listening to the album, I really couldn't tell which was more accurate. Then one day, it hit me... It didn't have to be either! It can just be alright! So my conclusion is this: Cursive's latest album Happy Hollow is not fantastic, and it is not garbage. It's just pretty good.
As Cursive has progressively grown more and more focused on the vocal end of their musical spectrum, naturally their lyrics would grow to cover larger, more noteworthy topics in greater detail. Cursive always prodded at religion in their albums, but never quite to the extent as they do in Happy Hollow. Most, if not all, of the songs on the album are anti-faith themed.
The most recognizable track on the album is a song called "Big Bang." A song debating that the big bang theory is the most logical explanation for existence would have to prove itself via an abrasive, crashing intro, no? Of course it does! And So "Big Bang" follows the rules, and after a fuzzy little intro twitches in and out of your ears, the missile hits. Guitars and horns call you to arms against the beliefs of the faithful! Ordering you to cry out against any folklores of up above! We are here because we are here! ...It's an interesting song to say the least. If it weren't so very repetitive it could be one of their best. But honestly, starting every single line with "There was this big bang once" gets a bit frustrating after a few listens. (Though, according to Cursive, everything started with the Big Bang, so maybe every line should too?)
The album peaks around half-way through with Cursive's wonder-gem "At Conception." As far as toe-tapping and frogstomping are concerned, "At Conception" is the greatest accomplishment Cursive will ever achieve. The song tells of the sins of young "Jeannie" and her interactions with "Father Cole." Believe it or not, this is one of the least religion-based songs on the album.
Those interested in hearing Tim Kasher nit-pick at the words found in the Holy Bible for about 40 minutes will quickly and comfortably find themselves at home in Happy Hollow, and possibly even persuaded to a new faith. As far as music is concerned, however, Cursive can do better.
Recommended Track: "At Conception"
(Saddle Creek: 08/22/06)
Rating: 6.0
Easilly my most anticipated release for the summer of '06. Granted, I already had a copy of this album at the beginning of the summer, but seeing as the buzz around Happy Hollow started back around March quite enough anticipation had built up beforehand to account for the rest of the season. From the first Tim Kasher interview I read about Happy Hollow my mind was set on one thing, this album will undoubtedly be amazing... Or, it will be the biggest mistake Cursive could possibly make. And for a while, upon listening to the album, I really couldn't tell which was more accurate. Then one day, it hit me... It didn't have to be either! It can just be alright! So my conclusion is this: Cursive's latest album Happy Hollow is not fantastic, and it is not garbage. It's just pretty good.
As Cursive has progressively grown more and more focused on the vocal end of their musical spectrum, naturally their lyrics would grow to cover larger, more noteworthy topics in greater detail. Cursive always prodded at religion in their albums, but never quite to the extent as they do in Happy Hollow. Most, if not all, of the songs on the album are anti-faith themed.
The most recognizable track on the album is a song called "Big Bang." A song debating that the big bang theory is the most logical explanation for existence would have to prove itself via an abrasive, crashing intro, no? Of course it does! And So "Big Bang" follows the rules, and after a fuzzy little intro twitches in and out of your ears, the missile hits. Guitars and horns call you to arms against the beliefs of the faithful! Ordering you to cry out against any folklores of up above! We are here because we are here! ...It's an interesting song to say the least. If it weren't so very repetitive it could be one of their best. But honestly, starting every single line with "There was this big bang once" gets a bit frustrating after a few listens. (Though, according to Cursive, everything started with the Big Bang, so maybe every line should too?)
The album peaks around half-way through with Cursive's wonder-gem "At Conception." As far as toe-tapping and frogstomping are concerned, "At Conception" is the greatest accomplishment Cursive will ever achieve. The song tells of the sins of young "Jeannie" and her interactions with "Father Cole." Believe it or not, this is one of the least religion-based songs on the album.
Those interested in hearing Tim Kasher nit-pick at the words found in the Holy Bible for about 40 minutes will quickly and comfortably find themselves at home in Happy Hollow, and possibly even persuaded to a new faith. As far as music is concerned, however, Cursive can do better.
Recommended Track: "At Conception"