Happy the Man - Muse Awakens Dig (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Let's Do The Time Warp Again

Robert Carlberg | Seattle | 11/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The new Happy The Man album sounds just as delightful as their two Arista releases from 1977-8. It's almost as if that whole ugly three decades in between just vanished.

Except I'm still 50, dammit."

Worth the Wait

Rob G. | VA, USA | 10/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I pre-ordered this CD when I heard it was finally being released and it arrived in my mailbox yesterday. For a long-time Happy The Fan, this CD is incredible and well worth the wait.

They performed many of these songs in 2000 and 2001 so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. The funny thing is that in 2000 Stan said the CD would be out in a few months; well 48 is a few more than a few, but it was worth it. "Contemporary Insanity", "Barking Spiders", "Shadowlites", "Kindred Spirits" are all "classic" Happy The Man. It is almost as if this CD was released in 1980, next in line after "Crafty Hands".

If you like Happy The Man, you MUST get this CD! You should also look for them on the road soon. They are a live show that is like no other. Check out http://www.happytheman.com for tour information."

Fantastic comeback

Patrick Barnard | Cos Cob, CT USA | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastick comeback for HTM. The Muse Awakens hangs right in there with the band's first two releases - Happy the Man and Crafty Hands. I would say they went out of their way to maintain the quality of the songwriting - and the same overall sound the band had in the late 1970s. HTM fans and all prog rock enthusiasts will want to have this disc in their collections. Well composed, well executed, breathtakingly majestic progressive rock.

Rosenthal emulates Watkins beautifully. I am really surprised how much he can sound like Kit - yet at times he manages to bring in his own sound as well. You can sort of notice Kit's absence as a composer - however, Rosenthal, Wyatt and Whitaker lay down some amazing stuff here.

My one criticism of this disc? It is recorded too bright. Too "digital" sounding. Too harsh. No warmth. And you can tell it really lacks bass when you get to the track "Shadowlites," one of my favorites. The remasters of the first two releases, which obviously were recorded analog, have better sound quality.

Other favorites include The Muse Awakens, Stepping Through Time, Maui Sunset, Barking spiders, Kindred Spirits ... they're all good, actually. A real feast for the ears and the intellect. It still gets five stars from me even though the recording is icy cold."

YES (elp, genesis, floyd, tull, etc.) IT CAN STILL BE DONE!

C. Lichiello | Zanesville, OH USA | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't give this recording a ***** without a good hard look at it, believe me. I am the most hard-core prog fan immaginable and I KNOW when it's good and when it's dreadful (which most of it in fact, is!) But hats off to the Happymen, this record's GREAT! (All caps, bold, underlined, italics...GREAT!) If you like prog rock (and why else would you bother reading this) YOU WILL LIKE THIS RECORD AND THERE'S NO WAY YOU WON'T! Stop reading my drivel now and click ADD TO CART before the damn thing goes out of print like most other good progressive albums over the decades have!

OK...I've got a grip now. Just can't resist mentioning a couple things about the product before I get offo' their bytes. My copy came in an attractive digipak which you might want to make allowances for protecting from scuffs and dents. Unlike one other reviewer here I have no problem with the way it was mastered. I don't find it too bright, brittle or digital sounding, but I admit I like my treble. Actually, I think the fact that it simply has the sound quality of a 21st century studio is what sets it apart from all other excellent prog works. THIS IS THE FIRST ONE RECORDED SINCE THE 70s that I've heard! I can't evaluate the recent prog-metal movement...my ears are too old for the noise.

Which reminds me to maybe mention the music...it's NOT noisy, which I find a great relief & refreshment. It does have a slightly harder edge on some cuts than HTM's 70s albums but by no means is it over the top. If you've heard those earlier records, I feel they both suffered from a bit of compositional meandering that HTM seemed (to me) to always fall into. Each number, while always relentlessly "progressive," never sounded like it "went" anywhere in particular. I realize that may have been their artistic intent but frankly it bored me and I never listened to HAPPY THE MAN or CRAFTY HANDS more than a couple times. the MUSE AWAKENS is MUCH better in this regard, without sacrificing any of the unique structures, intricate arrangements or "crafty hands" virtuosity fans know this band for.

No need to belabor each cut...they're all great to awesome and highly enjoyable. HTM maintains their own little corner on the prog market sound with this release, but if you liked the debut UK album, "Stepping Through Time" could've been its bonus track! The only minor critique I can think of is a bit too much improv- out on the closing piece, but after experiencing this wonderful disc, I'm sure you'll find it in your musical heart to forgive them. HTM has my deepest gratitude for proving that progressive rock can still be done, and done extremely well."

WONDERFUL MUSIC

NEOPROG RAN | EL PASO TX | 11/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS A WELCOME RETURN OF THE PROGRESSIVE GREATS. I ESPECIALLY ENJOY WYATT'S COMPOSITIONS- HE IS A MASTER OF MELODIC PROGRESSIVE MUSIC. ROSENTHAL IS A GREAT REPLACEMENT FOR KIT. I ALSO RECCOMMEND DEATH'S CROWN FOR ITS POWER AND BEAUTY.GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK. HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO PURCHASES THIS CD."

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