Search - Our Lady Peace :: Happiness Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch

One of my favorites

Jeans Yoder | Yoder, KS | 06/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the album that esentially brought me to Our Lady Peace. After coming home from high school one day One Man Army came on the radio right when I pulled in the driveway. I sat there and waited for it to end before I got out and made sure who I found out who sung it.



I had somehow at the time $20 so I went out and bought Happiness... After a few listens I instantly fell in love w/ Raine's somewhat whiny but inspirational voice and lyrics. Out of my 300 some albums to date, I'd say I've played this album the most because it just meant so much to me.



The opening song, "One Man Army" as before is what made me buy the cd. It has this almost demanding message of perserverance to move on and don't look back. Music video is pretty cool too.



My favorite song, the title track, is unforgettable an instant classic with some great lyrics such especially the line "Everyone you meet today is just so f'ing vain".



"Potato Girl" features a nice build up to the chorus. "Blister" follows with a meloncholy mood that is nearly perfect fit for this album.



"Is Anybody Home?" the second single, is my 2nd favorite song on the album which Raine plays some sort of kazoo which sounds awesome and almost chilling. The guitar solo towards about 2/3 in the song is great by Turner.



Not to be outdone, "Waiting" and "Thief" the middle songs slow down the pace with some beautiful ballad type music. "Waited" is a song I used as an excuse to not get things I wanted so soon, especially girls. "Thief" the third single is written for a girl who had a brain tumor where the thief was sort of death taking away her life. Very emotional for the band.



The last four songs, although not weak by any means sort of begin to wind the album down as "Lying Awake" eclipses you in a trance of revenge maybe. "Annie" possibly the most playful song on the album with a dark insane feel of craziness to which Raine explains about this girl. "Consequence of Laughing" is the closest resemblance to any song from "Clumsy" but fits in nicely and the epic finish with "Stealing Babies" with Elvin Jones.



The reason I single out this album amongst any other OLP albums, or any album in general is because I feel that each song compliments each other to make this a complete album from start to finish with no filler. Not even a second of wasted music. For those lucky to find the bonus Neil Young cover of "The Needle and the Damage Done" that is also a great song, but the band is smart enough to keep it separate knowing it doesn't necessarly belong on the album.



I would give this album 10 out of 5 stars if possible. Simply Great!"