Description
Happy Now? is the sole album by the American alternative rock band Loudflower, released on Gray Dot Records in 1997, manufactured and distributed by Brentwood Music. The album was recorded and mixed by Don McCollister at Nickle and Dime Studios in Atlanta, Georgia; and was produced by McCollister with band members Wally Gates and Rob Groover. Arranged by the band. All songs co-written by Rob Groover and Wally Gates except track 14 written by Wally Gates and tracks 3, 4, and 6 written by Rob Groover.
Loudflower features Rob Groover on vocals and 4 & 12 string bass, Wally Gates on keyboards and guitar (as well as vocals on track 15), and Mason Brazelle drums and percussion, with Derrick Lee on trumpet and Loren Haefer on trombone. The album also features additional musicians J.T. Black, Christian Bush, Dan McGraw, and Mark Tucker.
In these days when we’re inundated with American alternative rock acts, sometimes it’s hard to find anything that really stands out. Loudflower (great name) have managed to create an original sound that sets them apart from the crowd. Mixing harder rock sounds (Clash, Led Zep?) with a horn section (yes, I know it sounds bizarre but it works), this is definitely rock with attitude. Those powerful horns give you an extra kick in the guts with every syncopated stab! You get the insistent pound of «Everyone But Me» which starts with a very Kula Shaker opening before getting down to business. Also on offer, angry high energy «Disaffected» (best anthem for the slacker generation I’ve heard in ages). «Clouds» rocks out, «Saviour Machine» threatens to engulf you with those huge horns and then after the storm you get the title tune, which is verging on inspirational «Whole Of The Moon» territory. «Can’t Change Yesterday» sounds like a pounding Zep riff building into a memorable chorus. «Five Minutes After 3» has an intense brooding feel with rasping Blues Brothers horn effects before exploding into so much more. The band are aiming at the mainstream supporting major acts like Bush and Hootie And The Blowfish as they pay their dues. With this debut album, they deserve to work their way up double quick time. ‘Happy Now?’ Absolutely! Unusual sound but plenty of energy. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 1997]
CD tracklist:
01. Everyone But Me – 4:07
02. I Guess I Need You – 5:10
03. Disaffected – 2:52
04. Routine (Remix) – 2:24
05. Clouds – 3:18
06. Saviour Business (Remix) – 2:32
07. Crime Of The Century – 4:31
08. Happy Now – 3:58
09. Everything Rhymes With Wrong – 3:55
10. Can’t Change Yesterday – 3:20
11. Color Of Heaven – 4:09
12. 5 Minutes After 3 – 3:46
13. Always Tomorrow – 2:51
14. Comfortable Bed – 4:38
15. Don’t Say Goodnight – 3:47
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Gray Dot Records.
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