AMG Review of Another Happy Ending

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

In 2002, it's a considerable feat for a guitar-based band who wants to appeal to the mainstream, as the Clarks evidently do, to craft a record with much apparent sincerity, and without adding commercial embellishments or self-conscious extremism in the hopes of jacking up their crossover odds. It's more commendable and consistent than inspiring, though. The group offers a set of reasonably tuneful straightforward rock balancing earnest wistfulness, heartland ethos, and sprinkles of roots flavorings that might gain them some acceptance (though not enthusiasm) among the ~No Depression crowd. Not many songs emerge as memorable standouts, but "Superstar" has more oomph and hooks than most, with its grainy lead vocal, declamatory power pop folk-rock guitar riffs, and unexpected turns of the melody. "Wasting Time" has a nice balance of wispy folk-rockish tune and judicious waves of reverb guitar, until the grandstanding nearly hard rock instrumental break anyway. "This Old House" puts some lyrical ambition into its depiction of how a house and its holdings don't seem the same after a lover's left, though it's not something to give Elvis Costello (whose My Aim Is True is mentioned in the song) pause to worry.