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You MUST go to pbfcomics.comGREATEST SITE EVER.
More >
Cursive
Happy Hollow
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AMG Review of Happy Hollow
Marisa Brown
All Music GuideHaving somewhat successfully escaped from the catacombs of post-divorce, lead singer Tim Kasher set his sights on a new problem for Cursive's next record: religion. Happy Hollow, comprised of "fourteen hymns for the heathen" -- a table of contents is given in the closing track -- candidly discusses problems with Christianity and its current manifestation in American society. Each song on Happy Hollow is sung from a different perspective, be it the priest's or parishioner's, and explores ideas of sin, untruth, and those murky areas where the right answer, the right thing to do, is anything but obvious. The album's not dismissing God or the idea of one ("Retreat!," aka "the church of doubting Thomas," is in fact addressed to God), but it does demand that people take control over their own lives and think for themselves ("You're not the chosen one/I'm not the chosen one" he sings repeatedly). It's a plea for progression, to not lose ourselves among unreasonable arguments given by hypocritical spokesmen; it's a call for the return to the Enlightenment, where the scientific process and rational thought rule. This is a touchy subject, though, and Kasher's aware of that, so while he certainly doesn't censor himself, he's also careful not to commit the same transgressions he's accusing the Church of. He doesn't moralize or pontificate ("I'm not saying who's right/I'm just saying there's more than one way to skin a religion," he admits in "Rise Up! Rise Up!," otherwise known as "hiding in confession"), but he does raise questions about the presumed righteousness and intolerance he believes are all too prevalent. It's confrontational but not dogmatic; he makes his point but he doesn't set it in stone.
The thing is, even though it deals with such a formidable topic, Happy Hollow is still a whole lot of fun. It isn't anger or disillusionment so much that propels the record as it is bright horns and vocal lines with allusions to hird-wave ska and even indie electronica. Cursive haven't reinvented themselves -- the heavy guitars and conversational, intelligent lyrics and the occasional pained scream are all still there -- but Kasher's vocals are less raw and the band's attention to strong, interesting phrases moves the album into musical territory that Cursive have usually passed over for something more angsty. It's unbelievably effective, with accessible, emotional melodies and provocative lyrics that bounce and roll against the synth chords and brass section. It's the Wild West in 2006, complete with gospel, /p>
ew wave, and ock influences -- it's a dissection of modern society and politics, of human fear and blindness, a kind of indie musical theater, with a full cast and plotline. It's Cursive at their finest, challenging and smart and absolutely riveting, a group that's been able to stay true to itself and its past while still being able to mature, and finally, finally sound as if they're having a little bit of fun doing it.
Baby, your head must seem much smaller than you assumed.
Best of 2006
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I know I'm late but I need to make my list for best albums of 2006, in my own opinion of course:1. Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me2. Cursive - Happy Hollow3. Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat4. Placebo - Meds5. Two Gallants - What the Toll Tells6. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife7. The Killers - Sam's Town8. +44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating9. Angels & Airwa...
More >
degrees of separation?
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hmm...so usually i don't like to post a million times a day because i know those email notices can get annoying (my inbox is permanently clogged, it seems) but now that they're down, i'm taking advantage.so this will be another extremely unimportant post.apparently, i left my computer on at home, playing music that's being fed into the mog brains. from work, i'm sitting here and looking at the...
More >
My top Albums of 2006
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My top albums of 2006:- Against Me! "Americans Abroad!!! Live In London!!!"- Brand New "The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me"- Cursive "Happy Hollow"- The Decemberists "Picaresque"/"The Crane Wife"- Drag the River "It's Crazy"- Flogging Molly "Whiskey On A Sunday"- Mat Kearney "Nothing Left to Lose"- Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins "Run Devil Run"- Lifetime "Somewhere In The Swamps Of Jersey"-...
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Cursive, Good Life
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I love Cursive the ugly organ is one of my all time favorite albums. I never get tired of listening to Cursive and the Good Life albums. I just had to tell the hole world.
More >
Where's the old Kasher?
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Album's super good. But where's the old Tim Kasher wail? This album is trending closer to Good Life... I kind of miss the screaming and wailing.
More >
Panic at the disco...?
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Ok...so the only reason Panic at the Disco is on my play list is because someone had me listen to it. Listen to Cursive's "Happy Hollow". It's what I have been listening to.
More >
Is this thing still on?
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So is this MOG thing working yet? I've been hesitant to sign on to the Moginator thingy for fear that my machine would explode.T'was a rough couple of first days for this little guy. But it seems to be working now?So...MOG.
More >
Cursive's Happy Hollow Due At Summer's End
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The highly regarded Saddle Creek combo, Cursive, will have a new album, their first since 2003's acclaimed The Ugly Organ (and their first since the departure of cellist Gretta Cohn), released on August 22. The group - now a quartet - will begin an extensive summer tour (see link to tour dates below) on July 5 at the Canopy Club in Champaign, Il.A streamlined Cursive.This may be Cursive's most ...
More >
Cursive's Happy Hollow Due At Summer's End
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Artist:
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Album:
The highly regarded Saddle Creek combo, Cursive, will have a new album, their first since 2003's acclaimed The Ugly Organ (and their first since the departure of cellist Gretta Cohn), released on August 22. The group - now a quartet - will begin an extensive summer tour (see link to tour dates below) on July 5 at the Canopy Club in Champaign, Il.A streamlined Cursive.This may be Cursive's most ...
More >
degrees of separation?
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Artist:
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Album:
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Track:
hmm...so usually i don't like to post a million times a day because i know those email notices can get annoying (my inbox is permanently clogged, it seems) but now that they're down, i'm taking advantage.so this will be another extremely unimportant post.apparently, i left my computer on at home, playing music that's being fed into the mog brains. from work, i'm sitting here and looking at the...
More >
Baby, your head must seem much smaller than you assumed.
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You MUST go to pbfcomics.comGREATEST SITE EVER.
More >
Best of 2006
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Artist:
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Album:
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Track:
I know I'm late but I need to make my list for best albums of 2006, in my own opinion of course:1. Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me2. Cursive - Happy Hollow3. Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat4. Placebo - Meds5. Two Gallants - What the Toll Tells6. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife7. The Killers - Sam's Town8. +44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating9. Angels & Airwa...
More >
Cursive, Good Life
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
I love Cursive the ugly organ is one of my all time favorite albums. I never get tired of listening to Cursive and the Good Life albums. I just had to tell the hole world.
More >
My top Albums of 2006
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
My top albums of 2006:- Against Me! "Americans Abroad!!! Live In London!!!"- Brand New "The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me"- Cursive "Happy Hollow"- The Decemberists "Picaresque"/"The Crane Wife"- Drag the River "It's Crazy"- Flogging Molly "Whiskey On A Sunday"- Mat Kearney "Nothing Left to Lose"- Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins "Run Devil Run"- Lifetime "Somewhere In The Swamps Of Jersey"-...
More >
Is this thing still on?
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Artist:
-
Album:
So is this MOG thing working yet? I've been hesitant to sign on to the Moginator thingy for fear that my machine would explode.T'was a rough couple of first days for this little guy. But it seems to be working now?So...MOG.
More >
Panic at the disco...?
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Artist:
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Album:
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Track:
Ok...so the only reason Panic at the Disco is on my play list is because someone had me listen to it. Listen to Cursive's "Happy Hollow". It's what I have been listening to.
More >
Where's the old Kasher?
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Artist:
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Album:
Album's super good. But where's the old Tim Kasher wail? This album is trending closer to Good Life... I kind of miss the screaming and wailing.
More >
 "Happy Hollow")
