'THE WAY YOU HATE ME'
(single/ ALBERT MUSIC)
Far from being in anyway 'new-wave' or pioneering with their music, this quartet did support Blondie on their stadium tour of the UK last year. While there might not be anything whatsoever fresh or hugely exciting about Happy Life, for those folk who like middle-road rock anthems, this isn't half bad, The Way You Hate Me's Feeder-esque riff boldly ensuring its anthemic status.
B-side 'Sometimes' is another driving and breathlessly paced tune, in which the verses are just as upbeat as the choruses - but you just wish the songwriters in the band would knuckle down and drum-out some at least half decent lyrics to accompany their vibrant, riff-based music.
Prior to supporting Debbie Harry and friends last year, these lads also went on tour in support of the Prog-Emo-Rockers Reuben, and no doubt Happy Life will be hotfooting their talents around the country and beyond for the best part of 2004. While this is only their second single release (their first - 'Breathe For Me' - hit the national singles chart at number 87� which is pretty good by anyone's high standards), their debut album is eagerly anticipated and due for fevered release in June 2004.
They are hardly euphoria-inducing, but Happy Life certainly have enough strong melodies to potentially enable deeper chart penetration - no denying.
(Steve Rudd)
Release Date: March 9th 2004.
www.happy-life.co.uk