"Anyone mildly familiar with this band should own this disc! If you haven't heard of the band, but are a fan of powerpop, and like your powerpop upbeat with lots of crunchy guitar, great female back-up harmonies, boy/girl and funny/witty lyrics, you must own this disc! Highest praise to Moe Berg, who continues to keep me in stitches with his provocative lyrics on the subject of sex, always injecting lots of humor AND guitar power. You'll want to seek out all five of this band's discs after this great overview (might have to go to Canada). Only one slight disappointment for me--not enough from the 1996 release, 'The Wonderful World of...', maybe because there aren't any breaks between the songs? Would have been nice to have 'Hate Engine' or 'The Truth' in this mix. Don't pass this one up!"
A truly underrated band
Jay Kumar | Beverly, Mass. | 02/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Canada's The Pursuit of Happiness is a band that has been criminally ignored in the U.S. since they first burst on the rock scene in the late '80s with their one and only Stateside hit "I'm an Adult Now." After three U.S. releases, the band got lost in the shuffle when record companies started looking for the next Nirvana back in the mid-'90s. Since then, they've put out two more excellent albums on an Canadian indie label. Led by the wry musings of singer-guitarist Moe Berg, TPOH used heavy guitars and female backing vocals to drive home its often-amusing power pop. In addition to being a good introduction to the band for new fans, this album is also worth picking up for TPOH diehards (you know who you are) because it includes five unreleased tracks and great liner notes by Moe himself. Hopefully, this isn't the last we'll hear from this excellent band."
Top of the Pops
Paradise | North York, Ontario Canada | 02/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"TPOH, looking back, is one of the most underrated bands of the last 15 years. This best of compilation shows the diversity, intelligence, wit and compelling rock riffs that Moe Berg and company have represented over 5 or 6 albums. A great listen, a great Canadian rock act live, and a CD that you should have if you want a snap shot of true musical greatness that has travelled over the past 13 years at a stealth altitude."
Best of the Best!
Rik | Milford, NJ USA | 06/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have almost 1000 cds in my collection and none are better than the five from The Pursuit of Happiness. This Canadian band hit the U.S. airwaves with the mildly successful alternative favorite "I'm An Adult Now". This, a song about what the author can't get away with now that he is considered an adult is cleverly written with the catchy hooks and voice of Moe Berg (the author himself) and fantastic backround harmonies of the two ladies in the band. In my humble opinion this band is one of the best because of the unbelievably witty lyric and song writing talent of Moe Berg, those aforementioned female backround harmonies and the early direction of producer Todd Rundgren. While I have all five of their previously released cds (the last two of which were never released in the U.S.) and would recommend them all - this "best of" compilation seems to be the only easy method of getting a listen. It seems that all five cds are now out of print and very hard to find. I found the last two by directly purchasing them from the Canadian label via the net (after lots or searching). Listen ... listen ... and listen again! The songs become more addicting the more you listen to them. This is the only band that could not "wear me out" to their music with repeated listens. In fact it was quite the opposite! My highest recommendation! --- I just wish there was more."