Our Lady Peace Album: “Happiness... Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch”

Naveed was an amazing album, but it was a group getting used to eachother, and ultimately unsuccesful together, as a member left and a new one joined.

Clumsy introduced a new band member, new synergy, and a chance to find their common ground musically. Again, a great album, but not their best.

Now we have Happiness. This is the band at it's best, I say. The lyrics are catchy, enticing, intelligent, and intimate. The music is equally as engaging and beautiful, giving their typically dark music a lighter and more hopeful sound. I have yet to find any issues with this album, and everytime I listen to it I discover it all over again. It is one of my top 10 favorite albums ever. Our Lady Peace is my favorite group, and this is definitely their best offering.

Here are some songs to listen for: Potato Girl, Waited, Blister, Is Anybody Home?, Thief, Lying Awake, Annie.

All are amazing songs, and Raine Maida's ability to control his vocals and falsetto only help to magnify that truly magnificent sound. The melodies are wonderful...listen for yourself. I just can't say enough.

Before a few weeks ago, I had not even heard of this band, but then I decided to give a whirl at the amazon music recomendations option. Reading the reviews and listening to clips of a few tracks, I went out and bought this CD. I was not dissapointed. This album walks a fine line between tearful depression and thought provoking inspiration. There is not a single track that I skip over in the entire album, which is not a claim I can make with very many titles from other bands. Do yourself a favor and give this album a shot.

I am a Canadian currently living in Sydney who didn't even know that OLP had released this CD until I got it for Christmas from my Grandma. I was a little bit sceptical that I would even like this CD because a) I wasn't sure how easily they would be able to follow up the phenomenon that was 'Clumsy', and b) I typically have to know a few songs on a CD to enjoy it, have a bit of familiarity with some of the material before getting into the other tunes. But that was not a factor with this CD, it is tremendous from start to finish. Every song is unique without a dud track. The OLP sound keeps evolving, and it is no different on "Happiness ...". A must-grab for old fans of the band, and sure to draw some new ones as well.

Usually I don't buy CDs when I only hear one song, but after seeing the music video for "Is Anybody Home" on MuchMusic, the Candaian version of MTV, ony better, I decided to take a chance and go buy it. When I got home I put the cd on and immediately was blown away by the first track, "One Man Army" I just thought to myself, wow. Even my dad, who doesn't really like all the music I do, came in and sat down with me to listen to it. There's just so much going on, you have to stop and listen to it. The second song, "Happiness and the Fish" is a little bit calmer, but still just as good."Potato Girl", "Waited", and "Blister" were written for Raine's voice. Their next single of the CD was "Thief" which is a sad song, I think about death. The last song, "stealing Babies" is a song that I have to listen to over and over again because there's something about it, everytime you listen to it you say, "hey, I never noticed that before." Definately a good closing song, not onlybecause you want to hear it over, but you want to hear the rest of the CD again. Which is what I do. I got the CD over a year ago and I still constantly play it. It spurred me to buy the rest of the OLP CDs and I'm really looking forwar to their next one that comes out in America tomorrow, Spiritual Machines. I've even gotten a few of my friends into OLP, and we all like totally different music. This is by far the best CD I own, and probably will for a long time. I wish everyone wrong music like this.

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!