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{{refimprove|date=July 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = Happy Town
| name = Happy Town
| Type = Studio album
| type = studio
| Longtype =
| artist = [[Jill Sobule]]
| Artist = [[Jill Sobule]]
| cover = Jill Sobule - Happy Town.jpg
| Cover = Jill Sobule - Happy Town.jpg
| alt =
| Released = March 18, 1997
| released = March 18, 1997
| Recorded =
| recorded =
| Genre = Adult alternative
| studio =
| genre = [[Experimental pop]]<ref name="auto1"/>
| Length = 46:23
| length = 46:23
| Label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/06/jill-sobule-takes-bold-step-with-happy-town/|title=Jill Sobule Takes Bold Step With 'Happy Town' &#124; The Spokesman-Review|website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref>
| Producer = [[Robin Eaton]],<br />[[Mark Goldenberg]],<br />[[Brad Jones (musician)|Brad Jones]]
| producer = Robin Eaton,<br />Brad Jones<ref name=MH/>
| Last album = ''[[Jill Sobule (album)|Jill Sobule]]''<br />(1995)
| prev_title = [[Jill Sobule (album)|Jill Sobule]]
| This album = '''''Happy Town'''''<br />(1997)
| prev_year = 1995
| Next album = ''[[Pink Pearl]]''<br />(2000)
| next_title = [[Pink Pearl]]
| next_year = 2000
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r256896/review|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r256896/review|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev2 = ''[[Deseret News]]''
|rev2score = {{rating|3|4}}<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1997/7/12/19323016/jackson-miramax-sobule-hit-targets-with-albums|title=Jackson, Miramax, Sobule hit targets with albums|date=July 12, 1997|website=Deseret News}}</ref>
|rev2score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/jillsobule/albums/album/137856/review/5944615/happy_town Rolling Stone review]</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="CL">{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=7 |page=587}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[MusicHound|MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide]]''
|rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="MH">{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=1045}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/jillsobule/albums/album/137856/review/5944615/happy_town|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070518205122/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/jillsobule/albums/album/137856/review/5944615/happy_town|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2007|title=Rolling Stone review|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] }}</ref>
}}
'''''Happy Town''''' is the third album by the American singer-songwriter [[Jill Sobule]], released in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jill-sobule-mn0000280692/biography|title=Jill Sobule &#124; Biography & History|website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&q=happy+town+jill+sobule+1997&pg=PA970|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=January 17, 2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=9781843531050|via=Google Books}}</ref> The album contains the singles "Bitter" and "When My Ship Comes In" as well as "Half a Heart" and the satirical social commentary "Soldiers of Christ", where Sobule sings from the point of view of a [[Christians|Christian]] [[Christian right|Conservative]] to illustrate the existence of [[homophobia]] in religion. The album sold 24,000 copies in the US within the first year of its release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/25/arts/music/always-up-and-coming-a-singer-arrives.html|title=Always Up and Coming, a Singer Arrives (Published 2004)|first=Joel|last=Topcik|work=The New York Times |date=September 25, 2004|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>


"Bitter" peaked at No. 74 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] singles chart in June 1997.<ref name=ryan/> The album peaked at No. 83 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] albums chart during the same month.<ref name=ryan/> Sobule was dropped by [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] after the release of ''Happy Town''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/821303/jill-sobule-returns-with-playful-eclectic-pink-pearl/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122030706/http://www.mtv.com/news/821303/jill-sobule-returns-with-playful-eclectic-pink-pearl/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2021|title=Jill Sobule Returns With Playful, Eclectic Pink Pearl|website=MTV News}}</ref>
'''''Happy Town''''' is the third [[album]] by the [[United States|American]] [[singer-songwriter]] [[Jill Sobule]], released in 1997. (see [[1997 in music]]). The album contains the singles "Bitter" and "When My Ship Comes In" as well as the fan favorite "Half a Heart" and the satirical social commentary "Soldiers of Christ" where Sobule sings from the point of view of a [[Christian]] [[Christian right|Conservative]] to illustrate the existence of [[homophobia]] in religion. "Love Is Never Equal" appeared in the 2005 [[Jenny McCarthy]] film, ''[[Dirty Love (film)|Dirty Love]]''. The album sold 24,000 copies in the US within the first year of its release.


⚫
The album cover illustration, which initially featured a [[Prozac]] pill, was changed to show a pair of [[test tube]]s when [[Wal-Mart]] refused to carry the album in its stores. The company asserted that the original image promoted [[drug abuse]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jill |last=Sobule |author-link=Jill Sobule |title=I'm in the Newseum as an example of dumb censorship. And a song where I play drums! |url=http://www.jillsobule.com/jillsjournal/article/i-m-in-the-newseum-as-an-example-of-dumb-censorship-and-a-song-where-i-play-drums-1 |work=Jill's Journal |date=August 25, 2010 |access-date=August 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903120839/http://www.jillsobule.com/jillsjournal/article/i-m-in-the-newseum-as-an-example-of-dumb-censorship-and-a-song-where-i-play-drums-1 |archive-date=September 3, 2010 }}</ref>
"Bitter" peaked at #74 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] singles chart in June 1997.<ref name=ryan>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref> The album peaked at #83 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] albums chart during the same month.<ref name=ryan/>


==Critical reception==
⚫
The album cover illustration, which initially featured a [[Prozac]] pill, was changed to show a pair of [[test tube]]s when [[Wal-Mart]] refused to carry the album in its stores. The company asserted that the original image promoted [[drug abuse]] The album's lead single, "Bitter", peaked at #74 on Australia's ARIA Top 100 Singles chart on its release.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jill |last=Sobule |authorlink=Jill Sobule |title=I'm in the Newseum as an example of dumb censorship. And a song where I play drums! |url=http://www.jillsobule.com/jillsjournal/article/i-m-in-the-newseum-as-an-example-of-dumb-censorship-and-a-song-where-i-play-drums-1 |work=Jill's Journal |date=August 25, 2010 |accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>
''[[The Spokesman-Review]]'' called the album "a bold step forward for a creatively expansive artist."<ref name="auto"/> ''[[Trouser Press]]'' called it "a record to respect rather than appreciate," writing that "many of the songs are fine, and she’s one of contemporary pop’s better observational songwriters, but the tone is unremittingly hostile."<ref name="TP">{{cite web |title=Jill Sobule |url=https://trouserpress.com/reviews/jill-sobule/ |website=Trouser Press |access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> The ''[[Deseret News]]'' deemed it "fun, liberal, spunky and sarcastic."<ref name="auto1"/> ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' wrote that "the title tune's shift from cheesy, low-key organ to bright, power-pop guitar make it easy to understand the difference between the dull old world and life in that new, prozac-ed 'Happy Town'."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-04-17-1997107031-story.html|title=The Chemical BrothersDig Your Own Hole (Astralwerks...|first=J. D.|last=Considine|website=baltimoresun.com|date=April 17, 1997 }}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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==Personnel==
==Personnel==
===Musicians===
*Jill Sobule – [[Singing|vocals]], [[Steel-string guitar|acoustic guitar]], [[bass guitar]], [[guitar]], [[percussion instrument|percussion]], [[Drum kit|drums]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]], ebo, [[vibraphone]]
*Jill Sobule – vocals, [[Steel-string guitar|acoustic guitar]], bass guitar, guitar, percussion, drums, keyboards, ebo, [[vibraphone]]
*Sam Bacco – percussion
*Sam Bacco – percussion
*George Bradfute – [[electric guitar]]
*George Bradfute – electric guitar
*Louis Brown – [[tuba]], [[cornet]]
*Louis Brown – [[tuba]], [[cornet]]
*Chris Carmichael – strings
* [[Chris Carmichael (musician)|Chris Carmichael]] – strings
*[[Steve Earle]] – electric guitar, vocals
*[[Steve Earle]] – electric guitar, vocals
*Robin Eaton – guitar
*Robin Eaton – guitar
*Phil Galdston – keyboards
*Phil Galdston – keyboards
*[[Mark Goldenberg]] – guitar, keyboards, vocals
*[[Mark Goldenberg]] – guitar, keyboards, vocals
*Mickey Grimm – percussion, [[Drum kit|drums]]
*Mickey Grimm – percussion, drums
*Jim Hoke – [[clarinet]], [[flute]], [[harmonica]], [[autoharp]], bass clarinet, [[soprano saxophone]]
*Jim Hoke – [[clarinet]], flute, harmonica, [[autoharp]], bass clarinet, [[soprano saxophone]]
*[[Byron House]] – [[upright bass]]
*Byron House – [[upright bass]]
*[[Brad Jones (musician)|Brad Jones]] – [[organ (music)|organ]], bass guitar, [[piano]], [[Pump organ|harmonium]], keyboards, [[Moog synthesizer]], [[vibraphone]]
*Brad Jones – organ, bass guitar, piano, [[Pump organ|harmonium]], keyboards, [[Moog synthesizer]], [[vibraphone]]
*[[Viktor Krauss]] – upright bass
*[[Viktor Krauss]] – upright bass
*Roger Moutenot – Moog synthesizer
*Roger Moutenot – Moog synthesizer
Line 64: Line 75:
*Ross Rice – bass guitar, piano, drums, harmonium, [[Wurlitzer]]
*Ross Rice – bass guitar, piano, drums, harmonium, [[Wurlitzer]]


==Production==
===Production===
*Producers: Robin Eaton, Mark Goldenberg, Brad Jones
*Producers: Robin Eaton, Mark Goldenberg, Brad Jones
*Engineers: Brad Jones, Dominick Maita, Elijah Shaw
*Engineers: Brad Jones, Dominick Maita, Elijah Shaw
Line 76: Line 87:
*Illustrations: Brad Talbott
*Illustrations: Brad Talbott
*Background vocals: Bob, Jim, Mary Ellen and Matthew Sobule
*Background vocals: Bob, Jim, Mary Ellen and Matthew Sobule

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''Happy Town''
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref name=ryan>{{cite Ryan|page=259}}</ref>
| 83
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Jill Sobule}}
{{Jill Sobule}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Jill Sobule albums]]
[[Category:Jill Sobule albums]]
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[[Category:Atlantic Records albums]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Brad Jones (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Brad Jones (musician)]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]
[[Category:Experimental pop albums]]

Latest revision as of 20:32, 27 June 2024

Happy Town
Studio album by
Jill Sobule
ReleasedMarch 18, 1997
GenreExperimental pop[1]
Length46:23
LabelAtlantic[2]
ProducerRobin Eaton,
Brad Jones[3]
Jill Sobule chronology
Jill Sobule
(1995) 		Happy Town
(1997) 		Pink Pearl
(2000)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Deseret News[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[5]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[3]
Rolling Stone[6]

Happy Town is the third album by the American singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, released in 1997.[7][8] The album contains the singles "Bitter" and "When My Ship Comes In" as well as "Half a Heart" and the satirical social commentary "Soldiers of Christ", where Sobule sings from the point of view of a Christian Conservative to illustrate the existence of homophobia in religion. The album sold 24,000 copies in the US within the first year of its release.[9]

"Bitter" peaked at No. 74 on the Australian ARIA singles chart in June 1997.[10] The album peaked at No. 83 on the Australian ARIA albums chart during the same month.[10] Sobule was dropped by Atlantic after the release of Happy Town.[11]

The album cover illustration, which initially featured a Prozac pill, was changed to show a pair of test tubes when Wal-Mart refused to carry the album in its stores. The company asserted that the original image promoted drug abuse.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]

The Spokesman-Review called the album "a bold step forward for a creatively expansive artist."[2] Trouser Press called it "a record to respect rather than appreciate," writing that "many of the songs are fine, and she’s one of contemporary pop’s better observational songwriters, but the tone is unremittingly hostile."[13] The Deseret News deemed it "fun, liberal, spunky and sarcastic."[1] The Baltimore Sun wrote that "the title tune's shift from cheesy, low-key organ to bright, power-pop guitar make it easy to understand the difference between the dull old world and life in that new, prozac-ed 'Happy Town'."[14]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Bitter" (Richard Barone, Sobule) – 3:30
  2. "Happy Town" (Goldenberg, Sobule) – 3:46
  3. "Barren Egg" (Eaton, Sobule) – 3:37
  4. "Half a Heart" (DeMain, Sobule) – 3:47
  5. "When My Ship Comes In" (Eaton, Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, Sobule, William Stevenson) – 3:50
  6. "Clever" (Eaton, Sobule) – 3:18
  7. "I'm So Happy" (Eaton, Sobule) – 2:43
  8. "Little Guy" (Sobule) – 3:24
  9. "Underachiever" (Sobule) – 3:42
  10. "Love Is Never Equal" (Eaton, Sobule) – 3:15
  11. "Soldiers of Christ" (Eaton, Sobule) – 3:20
  12. "Attic" (Sobule) – 2:10
  13. "Sold My Soul" (Eaton, Sobule) – 3:35
  14. "Super 8" (Galdston, Sobule) – 2:26

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]

Production

[edit]
  • Producers: Robin Eaton, Mark Goldenberg, Brad Jones
  • Engineers: Brad Jones, Dominick Maita, Elijah Shaw
  • Mixing: Roger Moutenot
  • Mixing assistants: Rich Cohan, Sandy Jenkins, Chris Stone
  • Programming: Mark Goldenberg
  • Photography: Annette Aurell
  • Arranger: Phil Galdston
  • Production Coordination: Barbara Moutenot
  • Cover design: Brad Talbott
  • Illustrations: Brad Talbott
  • Background vocals: Bob, Jim, Mary Ellen and Matthew Sobule

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Happy Town
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[10] 83

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Jackson, Miramax, Sobule hit targets with albums". Deseret News. July 12, 1997.
  2. ^ a b "Jill Sobule Takes Bold Step With 'Happy Town' | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com.
  3. ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1045.
  4. ^ AllMusic review
  5. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 587.
  6. ^ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 18, 2007.
  7. ^ "Jill Sobule | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  8. ^ Buckley, Peter (January 17, 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781843531050 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Topcik, Joel (September 25, 2004). "Always Up and Coming, a Singer Arrives (Published 2004)". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  10. ^ a b c Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 259.
  11. ^ "Jill Sobule Returns With Playful, Eclectic Pink Pearl". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021.
  12. ^ Sobule, Jill (August 25, 2010). "I'm in the Newseum as an example of dumb censorship. And a song where I play drums!". Jill's Journal. Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  13. ^ "Jill Sobule". Trouser Press. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Considine, J. D. (April 17, 1997). "The Chemical BrothersDig Your Own Hole (Astralwerks..." baltimoresun.com.
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