Search - Beat Happening :: Black Candy

SV S. (Sphinx)
Reviewed on 11/15/2018...

This delightful little record has become one of my all-time favourite albums. What Beat Happening lack in sophistication and virtuosity, they more than make up for with charm, attitude, and ear-tickling melodies.

Calvin Johnson's voice is probably one that you will either love or hate, and I love it! A charismatic, rumbly baritone with a lot of sensuality and personality, though he's not always on-key. Though some of the songs are fairly erotic (particularly the title track), most everything on the album somehow maintains a shimmer of elementary school innocence; you can tell the band is truly having fun and being playful and creative.

I often get songs from this album stuck in my head, and I'm never annoyed about it - they always make me happy. This is a very sweet, funny, cute, catchy, and uplifting record. Enjoy. 5 stars.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

My first encounter with Beat Happening...

Paige Kirklandsandcastle | Los Angeles, California | 11/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"And a very good one at that. Supposedly (as I've heard) Jamboree is the considered "opus", I rather like this album though. It's a good introduction to the feel and style of Beat Happening it seems to me. One might say 'oh it sounds so crap, terribly low quality, and that man can't sing, and is that supposed to be a rythm section or some monkeys given thick strings and tom toms for christmas?' But. I say no. This is quite unique...and enjoyable to me. Twee pop. Do you like? (Belle and Sebastian fans, perk your ears up) Then do listen to this. Beat Happening is utterly individualistic, and a good time as well. Standout tracks would be: Other Side, Knick Knack, Cast a Shadow, and 'Gravedigging Blues' for the Tom Waits lover in your family. Anyway, give it a chance. You don't have to like it. I do though. I would reccommend this to friends, family, co-workers, colleagues, and thesis paper informers."