(Music) Cursive: "Happy Hollow"

Leave it to Cursive to always find something to be angry about. Since the band's inception, they have always had a taste for putting people in their places, culminating with their 2003 modern rock masterpiece, "The Ugly Organ." As one familiar with Cursive would undoubtedly anticipate, "Happy Hollow" picks up this trend and runs with it, finding new targets for Tim Kasher's biting lyrics along the way. Though arguably less angry this time around, Kasher's undeniable ability to craft targeted tongue-in-cheek attacks on his victim of choice maintains its role as one of this band's most-admirable traits. This time around, Kasher largely places the ex-wives and ex-lovers aside, focusing much of his lyrically demeaning material on the Catholic church, war, and America.

From just the opening note of the lead-off track, "Opening the Hymnal/Babies," one should easily identify a stark contrast between "Happy Hollow" and its predecessor: horns. Yes, as it turns out, Cursive has lost its cello player between albums and decided to fill that void with some intense hornage (my own word, but it's fitting). It's a tough loss for Cursive fans like myself who recognize the fact that the cello in "The Ugly Organ" practically made the album as great as it was. However, despite this loss, Cursive still manages to play their hearts out, quite possibly out-rocking "The Ugly Organ" in the process. That being said, "Babies" (the non-intro part of the opening-track) fully utilizes the horns in such a way that it will undoubtedly excite the listener, forcing them to devote all attention to what is being heard.

The next track, "Dorothy at Forty," is the band's first single from the album, and for good reason. If any one song captures the focus and passion of the album, its this one, portraying a head-on collision between the American dream and reality while alluding to "The Wizard of Oz." One can practically feel Kasher's passion as he proclaims, "Dreams are all you have. Dreams have held you back. Dreamers never live, only dream of it." The loss of the American dream is the first of several themes presented in this album. Even the artwork and album title portray a picturesque, romanticized America, rather than reality. It's a fine point, and one that will be explored further in the album.

The next song on the album, "Big Bang," is the first direct attack on the Catholic church, in this case, regarding the creation/evolution debate. Lines like "There was this big bang once but the clergyman doesn't agree" are sure to ruffle a few feathers, while the line "It don't jive with Adam and Eve, idyllic garden, some talking snake giving apples away. What would that snake say if he could only see us today?" is sure to shut a few of those opponents up. Sure, the lyrics in this song can be a bit unnerving to a few people, but the music itself is explosive! The new horns are at their finest on this song as they render practically every other instrument in the song negligible. This anti-religious theme can be seen elsewhere on the album, primarily in "Bad Sects" and the undeniably creepy "At Conception," which tells the tale of a priest who counsels a troublesome young girl. Don't be surprised if your skin crawls as Kasher nonchalantly sings "What happens in confession stays in the confessional." Clearly there's some animosity here, but its the passion derived from this animosity that separates the album and the band from so many of its contemporaries.

Another subject that is brought up during the course of the album is war. While thoughts like "Oh not another one," "It's getting old," or "Musicians are largely uneducated people who have never been in the military and therefore should not be making bold statements on a subject on which they know little or nothing about" may fill your head with just the mention of a song against war, relax. Of course, Cursive isn't about to sing the Bush administration's praises, but they never call any politicians out. Instead they remain focused on Americans, lost in the imaginary American dream. "Flag and Family" tells the story of a young man who feels pressure to join the military from his town, his family, and his girlfriend. Sure, he calls her family (and in all likelihood, anyone who shares their opinions) "bigots and fanatics," but a line like "When you're down on your knees are you praying for Holy War?" is full of such subtle greatness that its hard to write Kasher off as a narrow-minded, bleeding-heart liberal. Consider the fact that the band has its roots in Omaha, Nebraska, and the possibility that Kasher might have some insight on the small town citizens that he describes becomes somewhat authoritative.

It should come as no surprise to any Cursive fan that "Happy Hollow" is one heck of an album. Like its predecessor, the album is full of angst, passion, and musicality that help set it apart from so many other bands today. Though a bit longer than "The Ugly Organ," and arguably, more unfocused, this album is anything but unsatisfying. For anyone holding out for a new masterpiece from Cursive, wait no more!

Recommended for fans of Cursive and for anyone looking for inspiration on how to direct their anger in a non-violent, yet satisfying manner.

Key Tracks:
1. "Dorothy at Forty"
2. "Big Bang"
3. "Flag and Family"
4. "At Conception"
5. "Bad Science"

4 out of 5 Stars