Never Trust a Happy Song＜Green Vinyl/限定盤＞

Los Angeles-based indie rock outfit Grouplove's 2011 full-length debut, Never Trust a Happy Song, builds upon the neo-folk/rock and dancey indie rock of their 2010 self-titled EP. Still featuring the talents of lead vocalists Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi, Grouplove tend toward creating passionate, anthemic pop moments that are equal parts post-MGMT indie soul and post-Killers dance-rock. Songs "Tongue Tied," "Spun," and "Love Will Save Your Soul" have a rollicking, post-punk exuberance while more hippie-dippy cuts such as "Colours" and "Naked Kids" (a carry-over from the EP) bring to mind such psychedelic touchstones as the Flaming Lips and late-'60s Beach Boys. In that sense, Grouplove also fit nicely next to such similarly inclined contemporaries as Local Natives, New Villager, and Black Kids. Ultimately, Grouplove's Never Trust a Happy Song is a cohesive if ramshackle crowd-pleaser, full of melodic double-lead vocals, handclaps, ringing electric guitars, and staccato synth parts that tips a hat to '80s dance-rock while still retaining the band's obvious love of experimental '60s folk-rock. ~ Matt Collar

昨年末にリリースした6曲入りのEPが話題となり、ロック小僧の間で〈もっともアルバムが待たれるバンド〉となったLAの男女混合5人組が、ついに初のフル・アルバムを完成! クラップ・ユア・ハンズ・セイ・ヤーを彷彿とさせるヘロヘロなハイトーン・ヴォーカルはエモーショナルで最高だし、そこにワチャワチャと重なっていく〈オ～イエ～～〉なコーラスも楽しすぎ! 海沿いで育ったフレーミング・リップスか!? はたまた日光浴をしたアーケイド・ファイア!? てか、メロディー・センスは彼ら以上かも! 〈ハッピー・ソングを信じるな!〉って言われても、こんなにも陽性な青春ギター・ポップを聴かされちゃったら……ねえ!? 期待値を軽～く飛び越えた幸福絶頂のミラクル盤、これを聴かなきゃ後悔するよ!
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