Next to the Strokes, Hot Hot Heat was the most pop-minded out of all the bands reviving garage rock and new wave in the early 2000s. It made sense that after the indie success of Make Up the Breakdown, they graduated to a major label for their second album, Elevator, which found them broadening their sound at the expense of the hooky songwriting that made them successful in the first place. Some of the same problems crop up on Happiness Ltd., albeit for slightly different reasons. Elevator's disappointing reception seems to ...
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Next to the Strokes, Hot Hot Heat was the most pop-minded out of all the bands reviving garage rock and new wave in the early 2000s. It made sense that after the indie success of Make Up the Breakdown, they graduated to a major label for their second album, Elevator, which found them broadening their sound at the expense of the hooky songwriting that made them successful in the first place. Some of the same problems crop up on Happiness Ltd., albeit for slightly different reasons. Elevator's disappointing reception seems to have inspired the band to return to Make Up the Breakdown's energetic style, while keeping the clean, relatively lush production of Elevator and continuing to experiment with different directions on Happiness Ltd. The result is a muddled album that gets even farther away from Hot Hot Heat's former glory even as it tries to recapture it. It wasn't just the sound of Make Up the Breakdown that people responded to -- although its charmingly high-strung vibe was as fresh as a band reinterpreting the best of new wave could be. The pure momentum and focus that Hot Hot Heat's debut had was a big part of what made that debut album so irresistible, and what is still missing from Happiness Ltd. So, while "Let Me In," "Harmonicas & Tambourines," and "5 Times Out of 100" (which originally appeared on the Knock Knock Knock EP) superficially recapture some of Breakdown's sound, they don't tap into what really made the album special. As on Elevator, Happiness Ltd.'s standout tracks find the band following their bliss, even if it doesn't sound exactly like what they did before. "Outta Heart" is wryly confessional, a ballad written by someone not used to writing ballads -- which is exactly why it's so appealing. Likewise, "Give Up?" and "Conversation"'s flashes of anger feel genuine and decisive on an album where too many songs are stuck in an emotional rut (the title track and the all-too-aptly named "Waiting for Nothing" bookend the album with unsatisfying moping). Meanwhile, the Wings-esque "A Good Day to Die" and spry melody of "So So Cold" show that Hot Hot Heat has the ability to pull off a more sophisticated pop sound without losing any of their bite. Commercially unwise as it may be, it might have been better for the band to truly commit to a more layered, mature sound on this album, rather than hedging their bets. Hot Hot Heat was a great band and they still could be, if they pick a direction rather than lingering at Happiness Ltd.'s musical crossroads. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi
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Add this copy of Happiness Ltd. to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by Warner Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Girard, OH, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by WEA/Warner.
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $3.24, good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Warner.
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Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd. to cart. $3.49, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by WEA/Warner.
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Hot Hot Heat. Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $3.89, like new condition, Sold by Broadband ERA rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from BEAVERTON, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Warner.
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Fine. Disc, artwork and case in excellent condition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Orders received before 3PM PT typically ship same day. All profits support the non-profit community.
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Sire / London/Rhino.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $5.26, like new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Warner.
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $5.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Warner.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Happiness Ltd to cart. $28.05, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007 by WARNER BROS: 2701_43157_2824.
