Happiness Factor - Avoid Danger

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 11 / 6 / 2004

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Sometimes, you put on an album and, even though you haven't, it sounds like you've heard it before. 'Avoid Danger' is just such an album. Opening with the classic (American) pop of 'The In Crowd' you are immediately drawn into the warmth of its sound laced with more than a passing nod at current hip Rough Trade band, the Veils. 'Insane Ledger' shows a different side to the band with strong hints of both the Cure and the Stranglers. The Cure influence appears again later in the album on 'The Man From The Filling Station', before it explodes into life with a rousing chorus. In between times we have the engaging 'Proper Channels' that seems to be of the same parentage as the Long Pigs single, 'Lost Myself' ; the part Nirvana/part Stereophonics 'Soft', and the lighters in the air slow burner, 'Weight Of The World'. The album's title track is the Stereophonics at their melodic best. There after the album kind of loses some of it's early appeal on the "pop by numbers" 'Trouble Magnet' and the rather dull official closer, 'Use Radios!' The drop in quality is tempered by the catchy 'The Hand That Feeds' that reminds me of a little known Yeovil (England) band Gear (who were formed by former Chesterf!elds singer Simon Barber in the early 1990's). Just when you think the proceedings are done, a hidden track, 'Mr Critic', sneaks out. It's a wonderful (and cheeky) pop gem that should have been a centrepiece to the album rather than tucked away at the end. Still with its lyrics, goading the reviewer to give it a high mark, it is perhaps in the right place for full comedy value. What is even more intriguing is that the album was made by a guy in Dallas (Salim Nourallah), enlisting different musicians to play on each track. It may explain the variety on show, but the quality is still pretty good.  All said, a fine album and worth seeking out.    

Track Listing:-

1 The In-Crowd
2 Insane Ledger
3 Proper Channels
4 Soft
5 Weight Of The World
6 Avoid Danger
7 The Man FromThe Filling Stations
8 Trouble Magnet
9 The Hand That Feeds
10 Use Radios
11 Mr. Critic (bonus track)

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