Search - Die Happy :: Weight of the Circumstances

Takes a Bit of Time!

Charley Girl | Australia | 12/06/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the album on the basis of one song only. I had heard 'Take You On a Ride' and immediately became a bit addicted to that song, so I took a chance and bought it without hearing the rest of it. I thought maybe the album would be similar to that sorta style, as I like songs and bands who engage 'heavy' riffs and balance it against awesome female vocals. I'd imagined their music to be sorta like Evanescence, but the rest of Die Happy's album reminds me more of The Corrs than anyone else.



When I first started listening to it, I found myself skipping tracks and only listening to 'Take You on a Ride', 'Your Soul is a Pilot', and 'Mannequin', as they were more rocky and fast paced. However, as I continued to listen to these songs, you start to feel a sense of appreciation in the way they write their music. So, as time went by I stopped skipping songs and gave the other songs a chance.



They are very good musicians, in the way they arrange their music combined with the riffs they write. At first I felt a bit deceived in the style of music they play, but they play a bit of everything... each song on the album sounds different, so they are seemingly not the conventional band who sticks to one genre.



The album is still growing on me, I've had it for about 3 or 4 weeks now and it stays in my car cd player. I think if you buy the album expecting it all to sound like 'Take you on a Ride', you will be disappointed... If you have an open mind about music and want to try and listen to a new sound, this album is definately a goer.



I didn't like the album at first, but my opinion changed over time and I like it now. It's not the best cd in my collection but it gets a fair run in my cd player.



"

Popcore, with one of the best female vocalists around

Rick van der Ham | 11/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Weight Of The Circumstances is the third album from German band Die Happy. The vocalist Marta Jandova is from the Czech Republic. It is difficult to really put a label on this band. The band calls their music popcore, because they play both heavy as poppy songs. The songs vary from up-tempo to slow and from melancholic to happy. The structures of the songs are rather basic, but the band members are excellent songwriters. The band consists of the traditional line-up of 1 vocalist, 1 guitarist, 1 bass-player and 1 drummer. There are some sound samples on the album, but they do not have an important role. When the band started out, they where often compared to fellow countrymen Guano Apes. From what I heard from that band, there are resemblances, but also large differences.



Compared to the first two albums, The Weight Of The Circumstances sounds less heavy. The riffs are less heavy and the album production is less raw. The song writing, on the other hand, has improved. On this album I am really impressed by the vocals from Marta Jandova. She did sound great on earlier albums, but the vocal-performance on this album is even better. Marta Jandova has a powerful and diverse voice. She mainly sings about relationships.



The first song, "Take You On A Ride", "Get Up" and "Mannequin" are the heaviest songs on the album. Especially the song "Take You On A Ride contains a very heavy riff. The song has also got a dark atmosphere. There are also up-tempo songs with a more alternative feel. Songs like "Big Boy" and "Everyday Is A Weekend" belong to that category. "Big Boy" was the first single from the album. It is a great happy up-tempo rocker. "Slow Day" and "Wrong" are two really beautiful and powerful ballads.



I can really recommend this album to anyone who appreciates well-written and diverse rock music with an impressive female vocalist. I suggest you to buy the limited edition, it got 12 tracks.(The extra track is the excellent song "Standing Strong")

"

GREAT vocals...much like Evanescence...only better?

William Baird | 01/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"GREAT German band (singing in English). I'm told this newest release is a bit "toned down" compared to their previous release...which was more in the Guano Apes style. This girl can SING....and not too hard on the eyes either.
The last two songs(There You Are, Worlds Away) on the CD are my favorites....then Slow Day....which is the one I heard first.
This was recorded in L.A. so maybe it is(or will be) released to the U.S. ...and their website ( www.diehappy.de ) is in German and English. WELL worth listening to."