Eric Hutchinson – Modern Happiness
Release Date: October 5th, 2018 on Let’s Break Records via INgrooves
Eric Hutchinson has a new album coming out that has a wide ranging appeal sure to satisfy the masses. He captures a few different sounds on this ten track album Modern Happiness, which features an extremely talented pack of musicians. From singer-songwriter (Modern Happiness) to an ear pleasing late 60’s sound (I’ll Always Be The One To Make You Cry) to an upbeat 80’s groove (Happy Like A Chicken With It’s Head Cut Off) to a killer power pop song (She Could Be The One), this album mixes many styles but somehow completely gels together. It is very listenable from start to finish.
Over the years Eric has had some great successes and at one time was signed to Madonna’s Maverick label. In fact, his debut album was supposed to come out in 2005 but the label shut down before it was released. The album Sounds Like This eventually got independently released in 2007. He has performed in all 50 states and has shared the stage with acts such as Jason Mraz, Amos Lee, Ingrid Michaelson, O.A.R., and Michael Franti. His single “Rock & Roll” earned him his first gold record in the United States and the song became a #1 hit in several countries.
Here we are in 2018 and he is releasing his fifth studio album.
The album opens with Modern Happiness, which Eric says, “I’m a naturally depressed person and it took me most of my life to understand that and learn to cope with it. This album is the first music I’ve written since I started taking Prozac and the lyrics are very much about my eternal search for purpose, contentment and meaning. ‘miracle worker’ is about my experiences of threading that needle when I look around and realize I’m having a wonderful moment or evening, appreciating when everything is good. This song takes place in Miami, one of my happiest places to be.” It really is a great to start the album.
My personal favorite song on the album, I’ll Always Be The One To Make You Cry, is track three. This one not only has an old school feel, it has a nice way of telling an age old story. Eric describes the song, “This song kind of wrote itself, as they say. I sat with my guitar and the words and melody sort of just fell out of my mouth. The lyrics are about human incompatibility. I’m a strong believer that some people are just oil and water together. I’ve been in relationships like that before, where I’m just real good at making someone unhappy or dissatisfied. This is a sweet goodbye when everyone knows it’s for the best.”
The fifth song, Hands, gives us an intimate listen to Eric Hutchinson’s vocal tone and acoustic guitar. This is definitely the vocal highlight of the entire record. The choruses feature some nice vocal runs and emotion. The next song, Can’t Stop What’s Coming, goes in completely the opposite direction in terms of musical production. Full band with the sweet sound of an electric piano, Hammond organ and soothing background vocals. This will definitely be a song that I will play often when I’m driving in my car. Volume up.
She Could Be The One is a straight forward song that revels in power pop bliss. The choruses really come alive. Eric says, “This is a song I’ve had kicking around for a while and it never felt like the right time to record it. I took my touring band, The Believers, into the studio for the first time and this felt like the moment to capture the tune. In many ways, it feels like the grown-up sequel to my song ‘Rock & Roll.’ It’s about lust and love at first sight and having to sort out intense feelings in the context of being in an adult relationship. I like trying to write lyrics I’ve never heard before, and this was a sentiment I hadn’t heard expressed.” I’m grateful that he decided to finally lay this one down. It’s an asset to the album.
Overall Modern Happiness hits many marks for me. Clever songwriting and great musicianship combined with strong production generally equates to a complete album. This record is no exception.
-Tommy Marz
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Here’s the brand new video for “She Could Be The One”: