Search - Happy End :: Happy End

The 3rd and Last Studio album from Happy End

Havergill Milk | nyc | 11/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was a weird album for Happy End. All the songs seem to have been mastered in different environments. In 1973 Otaki was writing mostly for his solo career, the band was breaking up, and they traveled to L.A. to record it with Van Dyke Parks. Since there are only 3 studio albums from Happy End, I would recommend picking this one up or getting the box set, which has everything including all the live material and bonus tracks. This album does not offer bonus tracks though. Still, a very good album. The last song, the one where Parks participates is Beatles-esque. The album is short but sweet. Doobie Bros. and Carole King influences are clear here. Overall a recommended CD. Not re-mastered yet though. There is an interview about this recording session with the former members and they tell of Van Dyke Parks standing above them in the control room and lecturing them on how evil Japan was during WW2 and about Pearl Harbor. Not the best welcoming for a bunch of peace-loving artists, but I hope they enjoyed there stay."