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Dutch Elms:
Music for Happiness
This aptly title debut album Music for Happiness is brought to us by a foursome in Seattle, Washington, where cheerful music is most likely welcome, especially during the dark, winter months. Even on the back of the insert is a clown with balloons that displays the names of all eleven tracks, followed by the word Fun. With songs like Knickers in a Twist, little is left to the imagination about this bands surfside pop sound. I first popped the disc into my player at work, which was a horrible idea. The sugary sweet vocal harmonies begged me to grab my flip flops, beach ball and ditch out on the rest of my work. It almost worked too, if only it wasnt wintertime in the Northwest! The opening track Cleopatra is almost a little too sweet for my tastes, but luckily they back off on the honey as they continue. While I find the male vocals in Dont Call Me Winston a little weak and even off-key at times, the music won me over. I especially like the addition of the piano that just seems to fall out of the guitars and the strong beat. Even though the band is following a distinct sound that requires little explanation for one to almost instantly imagine, its important to note that they didnt simply record a sound and then copy themselves 11 times and package it. They have managed to take that popular sound and give it a different little twist throughout each song. They have even infused some garage rock and punk while taking a few moments of rest in the shade. Towards the end with Died in a Lake, the Elms show us great promise. I think this will be key in developing the perfect standout sound that is truly their own. The Dutch Elms have provided us with both a musically and vocally strong album that is enough to make anyone do a little California dreamin.
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