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  Divide and Conquer Review
  August 31, 2020
  www.divideandconquermusic.com/indie-music-album-reviews/pleasing-forms-happiness-is-a-wreck
  
  Pleasing Forms
  
  Happiness is a Wreck
  self-released; 2020
  
  3.8 out of 5
  
  By Matt Jensen
  
  I heard the phrase happiness is a warm gun before but happiness is a wreck is a new one. Happiness is a Wreck is the name of the recently released from Pleasing Forms aka Todd Thomas. The music here veers towards older aesthetics. I was picking up on a lot of tones, textures and styles that originated in the late ’60s and early ’70s.
  
  The album starts with “Full Circle” and right away I was greeted with a good amount of psychedelia. It was also smooth, warm and calming. This didn’t feel like a jagged bad trip. I was reminded of Donovan.
  
  He continues with a mellow vibe on “Mystery Thread” and between the organ tones, clean guitar and drum pattern it was hard not to think of The Doors. His vocal delivery stays with a comfortable range and also fits with the calming music almost as if in a trance at times. I would say this is most noticeable towards the outro of the song.
  
  There is definitely some rocking out happening on “Just Like Fire” which to me feels aligned with garage rock. Thomas mentions he was influenced by the early ’70s group Television and this song is in that territory. There is a good amount of distortion and energy on this song and arguably the catchiest chorus. This song also felt like it fit somewhere between Primal Scream and The Stone Roses.
  
  On the last song “Blue Sky” he reverts back to the flavor of the first two songs but this song is more of a slow burn and builds with intensity. I also thought the vocal melodies were memorable on this song.
  
  ​This release contains four solid songs. It felt cohesive and should appeal to fans of some of the aforementioned bands. Take a listen.
  
  
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	1.	Full Circle 03:02	info	buy track
	2.	Mystery Thread 02:37		buy track
	3.	Just Like Fire 02:51		buy track
	4.	Blue Sky 03:27		buy track

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