Stabilo
Happiness and Disaster
(Virgin/EMI)
You'd think a band named for a pen would know how to write. And in the case of Stabilo, you'd be right.
Boasting two strong songsmiths, these gently rocking B.C. popsters can put together a rich melody, a bittersweet lyric, a quavering vocal and a sharply soaring hook with the best of them -- assuming you think that list includes Supertramp and Doves.
And on their debut disc Happiness and Disaster, they show off their superb compositional skills 13 times, leaving us with intriguing, tastefully grand tracks that simultaneously massage your ears, tug at your heartstrings and soothe your soul.
Full marks for penmanship.
Track Listing:
1. Don't Look In Their Eyes
2. Habit
3. Kidding Ourselves
4. Don't Be So Cold
5. Flawed Design
6. Delivering Idiots
7. Happiness & Disaster
8. Coffee Spills
9. Rain Awhile
10. Ordinary
11. Beautiful Madness
12. If It Was Up To Me
13. Everybody (Hidden Bonus Track)