Cloud Cult - Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus

I spent too much time in the mountains. Maybe that's why, although I will readily admit that Cloud Cult mastermind Craig Minowa is incredibly talented and musical, I really don't find much on Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus that appeals to me. But hey, I can't stand the Polyphonic Spree either, so take it for what it's worth. From what I understand, Minowa is a kind, peace- and environment-lovin' dude who likes to make trippy-indie rock. And that's what he's done here. The vocals sound a little like a cross between Hot Hot Heat and Ima Robot initially, and the harmonies are actually pretty interesting. But the music is definitely has that "I've been living in the mountains with this earthy girl" kinda vibe. And if including quotes from Neil Young songs ("What Comes at the End") isn't hippie enough for you, then, well, how about Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young-esque harmonies ("That Man Jumped Out the Window") and even banjos ("Lucky Today"). However, in an odd twist, I actually detect a hint of Radiohead as well. Not what I was expecting really but quite nice. The first half of the album is pleasant enough, with one track flowing into the next in a very pleasing and lackadaisical fashion. There's a little jam-band action going on in the form of out-takes; whether staged or organic, I can't say. But the second half of the album just deteriorates into a less cohesive mass. In fact, at the end of the disc, several tracks turned out to just be silence. I don't know about you, but come on man, don't waste my time with silence on an album. There's a time and a place, but this is not it. And it doesn't work. But of course, that leads to the "hidden tracks." How about you just cut out the silence and put the damn tracks on there clearly? As I said, there are stretches at the beginning that are very pleasant and even had me happily listening along. I could recognize and appreciate the effort and the artistry employed to effectively transition and hold my attention. But then the flow stopped and the hippie vibe got too strong for my taste. All art is subjective. I'm afraid that Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus just isn't my kind of music. If you like, or even love (as I'm told some people do), Polyphonic Spree and that kind of free-flowing organic peaced-out rock, then this album is your kind of thing. Otherwise, not so much. [www.cloudcult.com]