Public Image Ltd. - Happy?

Title: Happy? Artist: Public Image Ltd. Release Date: 1987 Re-Released On: 5/9/1995 Label: Virgin, Atlantic, Griffin Duration: 35:06 Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 054421035325, 075679064226, 075679064240, 077778602149 Genre: Rock Styles: Alternative Dance, Alternative/Indie Rock, College Rock, Dance-Rock Moods: Acerbic, Angry, Angst-Ridden, Bitter, Brooding, Confrontational, Detached, Exuberant, Gloomy, Harsh, Hostile, Hypnotic, Irreverent, Menacing, Provocative, Snide, Tense/Anxious, Aggressive, Bleak, Boisterous, Carefree, Eerie, Intense, Ominous, Paranoid, Brash, Confident, Energetic, Nihilistic, Volatile, Whimsical, Cynical/Sarcastic Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 5 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Seattle
2. Rules and Regulations
3. The Body
4. Save Me
5. Hard Times
6. Open and Revolving
7. Angry
8. Fat Chance Hotel

Year Type Label Catalog # 1995 CD Griffin 353 ------ CD Atlantic 90642 ------ CD Virgin 90642-2

No other editions were found for this album.

Happy? benefits from some relative stability in PiL's lineup, not to mention the undeniable fact that the band members' allegiance makes sense (in contrast to that of Album's crew). Keyboardist Lu Edmonds (the Damned and 3 Mustaphas 3), guitarist John McGeoch (Magazine and Siouxsie & the Banshees), drummer Bruce Smith (the Pop Group and Rip Rig & Panic), and muscular Yank bassist Allan Dias are a solid unit, forming something of a post-punk supergroup. The Blind Faith of the '80s? Even more radio friendly than Album, Happy? is increasingly entrenched in dancefloor-type fare. Lydon isn't his full-blown postal self, but he's still continents away from being rosy. Though the music might be too dated for most ears years later, Lydon's riffing on unplanned pregnancy ("The Body"), sheep mentality ("Angry"), and false national pride ("Hard Times") still holds together lyrically. McGeoch and Edmonds' sparkling work comes a little too close to stadium-bound for comfort (paging Mr. Edge...), but it's a good turn away from Album's brainy metal-wank fireworks. Just when the band sounds as if it's approaching standard issue 1987 chart fare, it fiddles with the arrangements and structures enough to make sure the songs don't qualify as such. If PiL was trying to remain accessible and challenging at the same time, the band fell just short of its goal; given the conspirators involved, Happy? is not quite as distinct as it should have been. But as far as PiL outings are considered, it was Lydon's best in six years. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allan Dias Bass Bruce Smith Drums Gary Langan Producer John Lydon Composer, Vocals John McGeoch Guitar Lu Edmonds Composer Public Image Ltd. Producer Richard Evans Cover Art Tom Sheehan Photography