Hoi Polloi

Item: Happy Ever After
Author: Roger Appelinski

Happy Ever After

(1995)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

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Label Via RecordsThe LighthouseJune 1995

alternative rock hard rock pop rock

Some bands shine more brightly when offered creative freedom--many do not. Hoi Polloi is thankfully one of the former, which has made them Happy Ever After--or at least happy until they have to record another album--who knows.

Most noticeably, producer Steve Hindalong has helped Hoi heavily stack the guitars. Where the bass was more prevalent in earlier efforts and the strength relied mainly on Jenny Gullen's vocals, guitars drive this project. Powerful solos, layered rhythms, and distorted guitar effects are combined in the guitar mix to create an interesting, powerful, yet emotion-filled musical setting--much more into the guitar-rock/alternative rock than ever before.

As a result of newcomer Troy Daugherty's guitar work, Gullen is able to offer more expressive, emotive vocals without forcing them aggressively, as was common on their first two releases. Blended with solid rhythm from Andrew Horst on bass and newcomer Scott Pearson on drums, the sound is very tight but not overproduced. In all honesty, to call Daugherty and Pearson newcomers is misleading--this is their first recording with Hoi Polloi, but they have been playing over a year with the band, which probably helped in blending well on the project.

Lyrically, it's typical Gullen. What does that mean? Exactly nothing--because it is hard to know what she is going to write about next. Not only does the content change, but the songwriting style is about as diverse. They range from the boldness of "Tiptoe,"

...They say to walk in uniform lines but it's not likely I won't tiptoe through your world Gonna stomp my feet down

to the almost innocent prayer to God to "Smile" on us,

You wrapped your voice with the wind Let it spin through my head Sweeping me into the pulse Of your heart, your Spirit Oh smile all over me Oh smile on me

to human separation in "So Far Away,"

Miss your smile Die for your laughter This is not my, This is not my Haven't got me happy-ever-after Oh you're so far away from me

and I could go on. The primary structure is the relationship-oriented song written around a metaphor or image that compares, such as "Sun and Moon and Stars," or "Boat."

"Thaw" is another standout, not only for lyrics, but style. It starts with a down-beat chorus which leads to an up-tempo verse:

You thaw my head Melt me down You thaw my head You get me out of myself I'm undone Pinching into the numbness I'm feeling a hum Somewhere inside Up from the deep A discernible streak Of sanity Is finding light

Happy Ever After is another giant leap for Hoi Polloi. A loosening of the reins teamed with help from Steve Hindalong has proved a good combination. I still think that the live performance energy of Hoi Polloi has yet to be captured on tape (barring any bootlegs I don't know about)--and that may not even be possible. However, this does seem to have captured the emotion of the band--a rock album that "feels" good.