The Happy Club - Where To Begin...

The Happy Club

Where To Begin...
self-released; 2016

4.0 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Jamie Funk

Trevor Cameron is the band leader of the group The Happy Club. On his release Where To Begin… he plays lead and harmony vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano, organ, synthesizer, baritone horn, recorder, tambourine, guiro and cowbell. Other members include Will Walther (keyboards/vocals) and Spencer Manning (drums/tabla). 

This is an exceptional EP with songs that have have full arrangements and a great deal of diversity. With a ton of instrumentation backed by poppy vocal melodies this is release that will appeal to a great deal of people.

The songs are accessible and enjoyable, not far off at all in the way The Beatles or The Beach Boys are. Take for instance the irresistible opener “The Happy Club.” It’s poppy, bright and upbeat without sounding contrived. The song is packed with a lot of instruments but never feels overcrowded. Great opener. 

Up next is “Privilege Blues” which is slightly funky and fun. He implements a sample of what sounds like a crowd of people and it works seamlessly right into the music. The percussion hits hard and really gives the song a backbone for the psychedelic guitars.

“The Light in Front of Us” opens with piano and vocals which remind me of Elton John. The vocals are fantastic and again contains a lot instruments including a horn which was a welcome addition. Going back to The Beatles there is a very Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band vibe going on here. I think that's also fair to say about atmospheric “Just A Dream.” Don’t miss the guitars strings that slide and slither on “The Winds” or the closer “Pages” which is a song full of nostalgia, hope and floating memories.

There is an excellent mix of tones and textures throughout this album. I could give you more reason to listen but at this point I think it best if you hit play, sit back and take in Where To Begin…

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