The Happiness Project

If you're familiar with such constellation releases as Godspeed, A Silver Mt Zion, and Do Make Say Think, then you will have no doubt heard, and enjoyed, the music of Charles Spearin.This album is his debut solo work and it's pretty damn good.Very reminiscent of Broken Social Scene and Do Make Say Think, the Happiness Project is a gorgeous collection of quotes and instrumental music. What makes this so unique, aside from it being focused on Spearin's examination of how the local populace perceive happiness, is the way in which the instruments often mimic the vocal melody.Sometimes electronic, often touching, and very listenable.

My introduction to Charles Spearin came some time ago, when I downloaded the 2009 Arts and Crafts Sampler (because I like to download stuff and see if it grows on me...) When "Mr. Gowrie" came up on shuffle during my commute home, I was instantly intrigued. This exploration of the music in speech patters was a mind-twisting concept, and I boggled at the complexity of the rhythms and melodies Spearin had coaxed out of his conversation with (presumably) Mr. Gowrie. Over a period of several months, I found myself coming back to this track for another listen, another attempt to find some other subtle connection I might have missed between the dialogue and the music that was so carefully crafted around it. Last night I decided to track down the rest of the Happiness Project and download it. I couldn't be more pleased with this decision. Each track is a unique exploration into the speech patters, personality, possibly even the soul of a different person. Each track shines in its own right."The Happiness Project" has changed how I listen to other people speak. I want to thank Charles Spearin for reminding me that music is everywhere, all the time. All you have to do is listen...

Definitely 5 stars!In my opinion, this is the most creative blend of music/audio recording I have ever listened to. It is such a joy to listen to this album and get a full sense of what Charles Spearin was after with this creative endeavor.There is a great range of tracks, both cheerily upbeat and methodically contemplative.As should be understood, this is not pop music and it will never be on Top 40 radio in the States. However, it is still accessible. You do not have to be a jazz-head or an avid avant-garde to really enjoy this album.This is the sort of music that will act as a handprint in human history.Cheers to Charles Spearin, the interviewees, and the creative persons involved with The Happiness Project,Adam Daniel Arditi

What an incredible piece of art this album is. I had already heard it, but bought it for my dad as a gift. I worried if perhaps its idea would prove too "weird" as it isn't the typical run-of-the-mill album, but he loved it and found it really interesting! I can't imagine the amount of work that went into composing notes to coincide with the pitch of a person's sentences. Highly recommend it to others as it's a very unique piece.

This album takes what could be a gimmick - using the melodies and rhythms of recorded bits of speech to create pieces of music - and spins pure gold, start to finish. Each track goes in a new surprising direction from the last (even the "reprise" track!) and every track is a solid and engaging and emotionally charged composition. I'm a big fan of one of Spearin's other musical project, Do Make Say Think, but this is really it's own thing, more jazz-inflected and personal sounding. I really cannot recommend this album enough.The track "Vittoria" convinced me that music is EVERYWHERE. When the initial speech sample plays (a frustratingly halting and meandering bit from a young child), I remember thinking "Oh, c'mon, what can he do with that?"...and it's one of the best on the album. So fun!

I came across this album after listening to "Anna" on the Arts & Crafts Label SamplerArts & Crafts Label Sampler (Amazon Exclusive), available for free download on Amazon (and highly recommended). That track, #2 on the album, reminded me instantly of the English duo Lemon Jelly - same sweet horn riffs and jingly percussion that puts a smile on your face. What surprised me when listening to the album was how many different directions Spearin heads in. "Vittoria" features a blaring big band horn section, while "Ondine" features slippery strings, piano, and harp drawing the listener's attention to the wild pitch changes in a child's whining voice.This project, with a novel driving concept of the innate music of natural language, seems like a goldmine for those searching for new art forms, but for me the album peaks when Spearin really nails the rhythm and melody in a spoken phrase, then uses that phrase as the foundation for the music. Arts & Crafts Label Sampler (Amazon Exclusive)