Album of the Day

"We wanted this record to be written on the road," noted Hot Hot Heat frontman Steve Bays of HAPPINESS LTD, "partly so the influences would be more varied, but also so we could test out the songs live before we recorded them.” The strategy paid off - the Canadian quartet's third studio set broadens their music considerably. The New Wave-tinged indie rock that brought them to fame is here and as catchy as ever on  "Let Me In” and "Give Up?,” but there are also songs that plumb darker emotional depths such as the title track. Released 10 years ago this month, HAPPINESS LTD marked the debut of guitarist Luke Paquin, and the Sire collection has a big, aggressive sound sure to make listeners happy.