Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Van She's idea of happiness no doubt revolves around banks and banks of old synthesizers with plenty of patch cords and cigarette-stained keys. Their second album, Idea of Happiness, is a synth lover's delight as each song is built around some of the nicest, fattest, squelchiest vintage tones around. Add to that a nice line in alternately joyful and melancholy songcraft that sits firmly in the same '80s-inspired ballpark as labelmates Cut Copy, and you've got something pretty pleasing to the ears. Other good things about the band, and this album in particular, include Nick Routledge's nicely smooth and emotive vocals, the simple and direct sound of the production, the big hooks, and the soft rock feel they get on a couple songs ("You're My Rescue," "Sarah.") The blatant Caribbean strain that runs through the album is nice, too, "Coconuts" and "Calypso" seem to indicate that someone in the band had a nice vacation last year. Van She may not be the most innovative band doing this kind of retro-'80s pop thing, but they have a knack for writing songs that sound like lost classics. Though nothing on Happiness fits the bill as much as "Kelly" from their previous album does, a few ("Jamaica," the positively buoyant title track, and "Beat of a Drum" ) sound like they were sneaking around the Top 100 back in 1985. The rest aren't anything to relegate to the junk pile either. You may reach for Cut Copy or LCD Soundsystem first when the urge to listen to some inspiring retro-dance pop strikes, but if you make it to Van She and Idea of Happiness, you'll find plenty here to love.
© Tim Sendra /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Michael Di Francesco, ComposerLyricist - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, Producer, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Michael Di Francesco, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Hoffer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Van She, MainArtist - Matt Van Schie, ComposerLyricist - Tomek Archer, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Routledge, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Album review
Van She's idea of happiness no doubt revolves around banks and banks of old synthesizers with plenty of patch cords and cigarette-stained keys. Their second album, Idea of Happiness, is a synth lover's delight as each song is built around some of the nicest, fattest, squelchiest vintage tones around. Add to that a nice line in alternately joyful and melancholy songcraft that sits firmly in the same '80s-inspired ballpark as labelmates Cut Copy, and you've got something pretty pleasing to the ears. Other good things about the band, and this album in particular, include Nick Routledge's nicely smooth and emotive vocals, the simple and direct sound of the production, the big hooks, and the soft rock feel they get on a couple songs ("You're My Rescue," "Sarah.") The blatant Caribbean strain that runs through the album is nice, too, "Coconuts" and "Calypso" seem to indicate that someone in the band had a nice vacation last year. Van She may not be the most innovative band doing this kind of retro-'80s pop thing, but they have a knack for writing songs that sound like lost classics. Though nothing on Happiness fits the bill as much as "Kelly" from their previous album does, a few ("Jamaica," the positively buoyant title track, and "Beat of a Drum" ) sound like they were sneaking around the Top 100 back in 1985. The rest aren't anything to relegate to the junk pile either. You may reach for Cut Copy or LCD Soundsystem first when the urge to listen to some inspiring retro-dance pop strikes, but if you make it to Van She and Idea of Happiness, you'll find plenty here to love.
© Tim Sendra /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:41:43
- Main artists: Van She
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2012 Modular Recordings ℗ 2012 Modular Recordings
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.