Vagrant Records, Get Up Kids, Emo! Now that I’m sure I’ve lost most of you we can get on with the review. You hear those terms and perhaps get scared, instantly bored or think you have a pretty good idea of what Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? is going to sound like. And you won’t like it since you have been swept up in the great “emo backlash” tidal wave with everyone else.
Moneen does strive to distinguish themselves from their musical peers, and come through with mixed results. Not everything you hear on Are We Really Happy? can be saddled with the dreaded emo tag. Their song structures are certainly not standard emo, often building on several melodies with sharp direction shifts. This formula does create some strong moments, but they are often overshadowed by a chorus that you swore you have heard 100 times before, by 100 different bands. Moneen isn’t able to shake this trend throughout the album.
Moneen wants you to like them, and for the most part they seem to be a likeable crew. They don’t take themselves too seriously (see song titles), they put on a great live show, and you can tell they are passionate about the music they make. Unfortunately none of those things make Are We Really Happy? a necessary listen. There are too many strong albums out this year to spend your time back in the middle of the pack, even if they are nice guys. But hey, none of this really matters right? I’m sure I’m quite alone by now…
1. Are we really happy with you we are right now?
2. Start angry...end mad
3. To sat something that means nothing to anyone at all
4. With this song I will destroy myself
5. Closing my eyes won't help me leave
6. I have never done anything for anyone that was not for me as well
7. How to live with the thought that sometimes life end
8. Life's just too short little ndugu
9. Thoughts weigh heavy...don't get drowned in the weight of it all
10. The last song I will ever want to sing
More about: Moneen
