Happy End of the World
Happy End of the World | ||||
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Studio album by Pizzicato Five | ||||
Released | June 21, 1997 | |||
Genre | Shibuya-kei | |||
Length | 62:40 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Pizzicato Five chronology | ||||
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Pizzicato Five US chronology | ||||
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Singles from Happy End of the World | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
2006 reissue version | ||||
Happy End of the World is the tenth studio album by Japanese pop band Pizzicato Five. The album was released on June 21, 1997 by Readymade Records and Matador Records.[1] In the United States, it peaked at number 32 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.[2] A companion remix album, Happy End of You, was released in 1998.[3]
Critical reception
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Entertainment Weekly | A−[5] |
Pitchfork | 7.4/10[6] |
Select | 4/5[7] |
Matt Diehl of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Japan's favorite avant-lounge duo, Pizzicato Five, returns with a more club-oriented set, but their blend of '60s kitsch and savvy pop-culture references remains intact in Happy End of the World, giving the Cardigans a run for the retro-hip money."[5] Meanwhile, Stephen Thompson of The A.V. Club said, "It's an excellent addition to the duo's expansive canon, and a must for any pop fan who thinks mainstream dance music can and must be better than the 'Barbie Girl' drivel that populates Top 40 radio playlists."[8]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said, "It's a surprisingly laid-back album, but that's not necessarily a bad thing -- the lush arrangements have an engaging, low-key charm, and the beats are nice and subtle."[4] He added, "Happy End of the World runs a little too long, and no song stands out as a single, but it's an engaging record that suggests there may be more to the Pizzicato Five than kitsch."[4]
In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan placed it at number 64 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".[9]
Track listing
All tracks written by Yasuharu Konishi, except as noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "World Is Spinning at 45 RPM" | 4:40 | |
2. | "The Earth Goes Around" |
| 2:55 |
3. | "Trailer Music" | 1:50 | |
4. | "It's a Beautiful Day" | 4:26 | |
5. | "Love's Prelude" | 2:18 | |
6. | "Love's Theme" | 4:16 | |
7. | "My Baby Portable Player Sound" | 5:05 | |
8. | "Mon Amour Tokyo" | 4:55 | |
9. | "Collision and Improvisation" | 4:35 | |
10. | "Porno 3003" | 9:51 | |
11. | "Arigato We Love You" |
| 5:15 |
12. | "Ma Vie, L'ete De Vie" | 5:05 | |
13. | "Happy Ending" |
| 7:29 |
Total length: | 62:40 |
Charts
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[10] | 15 |
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[11] | 32 |
References
- ↑ "Happy End of the World". Oricon. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Pizzicato Five – Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Happy End of You – Pizzicato Five". AllMusic. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- 1 2 3 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Happy End of the World – Pizzicato Five". AllMusic. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- 1 2 Diehl, Matt (September 12, 1997). "Happy End of the World". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ↑ Schreiber, Ryan. "Pizzicato Five: Happy End of the World". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ↑ Barnes, Mike (November 1997). "Pizzicato Five: Happy End of the World". Select (89).
- ↑ Thompson, Stephen (March 29, 2002). "Pizzicato Five: Happy End Of The World". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ↑ Lindsay, Cam (November 14, 2007). "Finally! "The 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time" Listed". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ↑ "1997.7.7付 アルバムTOP20". Oricon. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Pizzicato Five Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
External links
- Happy End of the World at Discogs (list of releases)