Happenstance [Import]

Product Description
Japanese pressing of the singer/songwriter's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Collide'. RCA.

Happenstance,Rachael Yamagata,Bmg,Pop,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Best cd I have heard in a while Depressing, but brilliant! PJ Harvey/Natalie Imbrouglia (sp)/Sheryl Crow/Aimee Mann All rolled into one. Great surprise Melancholy Baby

Happenstance Rachael Yamagata Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: EP Finally Woken Wreck of the Day We Were Here Prime ASIN: B00022KF1A Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Be Be Your Love
2. Letter Read
3. Worn Me Down
4. Paper Doll
5. Ill Find A Way
6. 1963
7. Under My Skin
8. Meet Me By The Water
9. Even So
10. I Want You
11. Reason Why
12. Moments With Oliver
13. Quiet

Amazon.com

There is a combustible quality about newcomer Rachael Yamagata that for a lot of listeners will call to mind Fiona Apple: A first spin of Happenstance can make you itch with the thrill of discovery, but it also leaves behind the impression that its singer is vaguely dangerous; which is exactly what makes these songs so absorbing. "Everybody's talking how I can't be your love," she pouts in a melodically engineered stutter on opener "Be Be Your Love," one of several tracks pairing her with a piano that seems to take the brunt of the punishment for her wrecked relationships. The rest of the disc unravels with similar heat: When she growls in her full-time rasp that "(You've) worn me down/like a road/I did everything you told" on the very infectious indie-rock leaning "Worn Me Down," you believe her. But the less stormy numbers work as well, with "1963" coming off as flower-power pop grounded by a voice that knows better and "I Want You" wending its way through a fat, heartsick wallow to emerge someplace burnt in honesty. A late minute-long instrumental feels more tasteful than pretentious, adding to a monster of a debut already fueling hopes that happenstance--the term, not the album--will play a miniscule part in Yamagata's eventual output. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Happenstance…the never can be…

Main Entry: hap·pen·stance; Etymology: happen + circumstance: A circumstance especially that is due to chance. - Merriam Webster Dictionary

I apologize for insisting on writing my own bio, but I just can not be satisfied with another's account of my psyche when even I don't understand it myself. Welcome to the world of this indecisive control freak hopeless romantic…

Happenstance, produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews etc.), is a collection of songs inspired by my obsessions, often love related, but not always. It's about the battle between chance circumstances and the belief that everything happens for a reason. The title and the back cover addition of `the never can be' suggest that I'm not really endorsing chance, but, in fact insisting that there must be a reason for repeated broken hearts - perhaps a promise of a better situation, learning experience, the greater love etc. It's a circular argument… and it's merely a matter of `happenstance' that the title is what it is anyway. Without the hopefulness of reason, how could anyone weather the highs and lows of relationships and this delightful junk called love.

Look to the second album for a more cynical approach in which it all goes to hell and nothing makes sense and chance is winning…

Customer Reviews:

Best cd I have heard in a while.......2007-04-08

This cd is absolutely amazing. I saw that a lot of people found it to depressing. I find that this is what give this album the feeling that it has though. It's not all about the music here, it's about the amazingly beautiful lyrics that she has written. This is a must have album. There isn't a bad track on the record. I hope Rachael makes many more cds to come because I will be right behind her.

Depressing, but brilliant!.......2007-03-28

This is a great album by a talented artist. The only downside is that it can get very depressing. The theme of this album centers around past relationships that didn't end quite so well. Despite that, however, there are plenty of good songs with some excellent lyrics. The depressing factor was not enough for me to reduce the rating!

"Be Be Your Love" is a great introduction to the album and sets the mood perfectly.

"Letter Read" is an emotionally-charged track which resembles Fiona Apple's style.

"Worn Me Down" is as close to a pop song as you'll find on this album, but the theme is still consistent.

"Paper Doll" - Don't really know what to say about this song. It's a rather calm song for the most part.

"I'll Find a Way" can get very depressing. You can feel the pain and desperation in Rachael's voice. Luckily, a more uplifting song is ahead!

"1963" is an upbeat song that reminds me of a beautiful spring day. This is clearly the "happiest" song on the album, both musically and lyrically.

"Under My Skin" is another track that reminds me of Fiona Apple, but there is nothing wrong with that.

"Meet Me By the Water" - I like the lyrics at the end of this song:

"Would you please fall asleep... Holding my hand... 'Cause I've got everything in store for you, baby... If you'll be my man."

How can you say no to that?

"Even So" - This is one of the more depressing songs, but once again, an upbeat song follows.

"I Want You" - This song contains a lot of nice instrumentation. I just wish it was a little longer.

"Reason Why" picks up where "Even So" left off. This song feels a little more emotional though.

"Moments with Oliver" is a peaceful, instrumental track which sets the stage nicely for the next song...

"Quiet"... I find this to be a brilliant track containing some of the most powerful lyrics I have ever heard:

"You may hate me, but I'll remember to love you."

Very profound. You have to respect someone who can say that.


All in all, this is an excellent album. Rachael is very sincere, and holds nothing back. There really is not one track that disappoints.

PJ Harvey/Natalie Imbrouglia (sp)/Sheryl Crow/Aimee Mann All rolled into one........2007-02-27

Oh yeah and Nora Jones too. Yamagata's voice and songwriting exibits all the strenghts of the aforementioned vocalists and writers and none of their drawbacks: repetition. This album shifts across several genres and never gets stuck in a rhythmic rut or vocal hooks. The music is romantic with a dangerous undercurrent. How is it that such young women are producing such "grown up" emotions? Singers of old played around with quirky gimmicks when young and then grew into a mature sound, more often then not the result of hard living and broken hearts. I have always believed that age was no guarantee of wisdom and the touching depth of Yamagata's sound proves it.

Great surprise.......2007-02-23

Bought this as a gift but liked it so much I kept it! One of those rare CDs where you can say every cut is a good one! If you like Sarah MacLaglin, Fiona Apple, or Norah Jones, you'll like Rachel!

Melancholy Baby.......2007-02-18

She's deep and moody and complicated and has a beautiful voice that compliments her poetic lyrics perfectly.

From "Be Be Your Love": Everything's falling and I am included in that/oh how I try to be just okay/but all I ever wanted was a little piece of you

It's a lovely CD.

If you're a fan of Fiona Apple this is probably going to be worth a listen.

Average customer rating: L.O.V.E. MACHINE!!! The Next Big Thing? Astonishing Super-cranked music done right More than mear happenstance

Happenstance Fozzy Manufacturer: Megaforce ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fozzy All That Remains My Kung Fu Is Good Declaration of a Headhunter Rising ASIN: B00006AGFH Release Date: 2002-07-30

Tracks:

1. whitechapel 1888
2. to kill a stranger
3. happenstance
4. freewheel burning
5. the mob rules
6. big city nights
7. crucify yourself
8. l.o.v.e. machine
9. balls to the wall
10. with the fire
11. where eagles dare

Customer Reviews:

L.O.V.E. MACHINE!!!.......2006-10-31

I've been a wrestling fan all my life and when I first heard Chris make mention of a band, I thought he was joking. Then I heard him say he had put some songs together with members of the band Stuck Mojo. I still thought it was a joke. I knew the Stuck Mojo boys were affiliated with WCW a few years back, and their music wasn't the deepest by any stretch, but it was still catchy. Well, my first Fozzy album was Happenstance and I was blown away by their ability to cover these great classics, and cover them well (believe it or not). Granted, these are like the 3rd or 4th singles from these bands, but they're those hidden gems that are rarely found and that turn out to be great tunes. My only concern was Chris's singing. I've heard him whine and cry on TV as a wrestler, but when he puts the notes together, it makes you wonder of the possibilities. I saw him not too long ago on some singing with the stars show and the idiotic judge said he didn't see Chris ever fronting a band. Well sir, he does indeed front a band and that band is called Fozzy. Funny name, but a great sound.

The Next Big Thing?.......2006-01-03

Fozzy are a great band that started out a strictly covers, but now have released a new album full of their own material, All That Remains. On this album Fozzy play songs by Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, The Scorpions, Iron Maiden, WASP, and Accept. Their are also 4 original songs and a neat instrumental intro. This album is also enhanced. If you put this in your computer you can see a photo gallery and a live video for Balls To The Wall. The singer, Mongoose McQueen, is actually WWE wrestler Chris Jericho, and boy can he belt it out. Fans of Dio and Accept should give this album a spin.

Astonishing.......2004-12-06

This album far surpasses their first. To kill a stranger is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Happenstance, With The Fire, and Crucify Yourself are some real metal masterpieces. The covers topple the the originals. WARNING: DO NOT BUY UNLESS YOU WANT TO EXPIERENCE SOME REAL METAL MAYHEM!

Super-cranked music done right.......2004-05-08

Great album!! I've been listening to hard rock, heavy metal, whatever you want to call it, for 35 years. Not much catches my ear these days, and I've had it with the angry posturing nu-metal boys. When Happenstance (the song) was played my local metal station, I was immediately taken by it, and had to call the station to see who it was! This is a straight up effort of great musicianship. It has power, art, emotion, and you just want to crank it up. We need more music like this. Great job to all concerned!

More than mear happenstance.......2004-03-05

Rockers alike, try a bit of Fozzy in your CD player.
The music in general is excellent, giving a rush of adrenaline to the listener. I particularly recommend "To Kill A Stranger" off the CD.

Average customer rating:

Happenstance Jubilant Bridge Manufacturer: Get Over It Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0001M2AXW Release Date: 2003-08-01

Tracks:

1. On The Other Foot
2. Happenstance
3. Back To The Bone
4. Unrequited Life
5. British Invasion Medley
6. Refugee
7. Running From Love
8. Up Against Me
9. Runaway Train
10. New World
11. Hearts In Armor
12. Hush
13. Twa Sisters

Album Description

Compellng original songs and some surprising covers, such as "Hush" and a British Invasion Medley of three songs sung simultaneously. The CD features the band's intricate arrangements and unique harmonies, backed by dulcimer and guitar.

Average customer rating:

Solitude's Dollhouse Likeness to Lily Manufacturer: likeness to lily ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAFUZ8 Release Date: 2005-09-06

Tracks:

1. Hey You
2. Life's Not Life
3. House Calls
4. Almost Again
5. Little Night Song
6. Que Faire
7. How Can It Be
8. Asleep Under Apollo
9. Mythology of You and Me
10. Jewelia
11. Last Goodbyes
12. One Street and Two Houses Down

Average customer rating:

Happenstance ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006JSSJ Release Date: 1999-07-01

Tracks:

1. A Gentle Fall
2. Jovian Comets
3. Happenstance
4. My One and Only Love
5. Everything I Love
6. Azure
7. Cottontail
8. Nature Boy
9. I Remember Sherrie
10. The Trouble with Triplets
11. Taboo
12. Long Ago and Far Away

Album Description

Origninal compositions and arrangements for jazz orchestra.

Average customer rating:

Happenstance Happenstance Manufacturer: Happenstance ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA2QA0 Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

1. Stranger in a Dream
2. Hard Way to Go
3. So Long Sweet City
4. Red Hot Lovers
5. Southern Belles
6. Not Guilty
7. Conspiracy
8. This Blue's for You
9. Hard on Me
10. I Can Run
11. Time

Average customer rating:

Happenstance Manufacturer: NY Jam Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002IWC3S

Average customer rating:

Happenstance Boyracer Manufacturer: Happy Happy Birthday To Me ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000E7K66W Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

1. Vinegar Evenings
2. I Thought More Of You When You Told Me You Wanted Me Dead
3. Where To Place Your Trust
4. Invisible
5. Careless and Caught Out
6. The Moment
7. Flinch Of the Night
8. The Warmest Hours
9. What You Decide To Cherish
10. Millstones = Milestones
11. Awkward Silence Is Not A Steady Diet
12. I Was The Drummer In Altered Images
13. A Chipped Tooth and Greasy Fingers
14. On Bleached Grass
15. Angle
16. Riding The Rims
17. Overcast Youth
18. The Others Way
19. A Lesson In Bad Posture
20. How Many Cars Can You Fit In Your Garage?
21. Christopher
22. The Basics
23. Untitled

Product Description

Infectious UK pop.

Average customer rating: By "Happenstance

Happenstance Rachael Yamagata Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000666R50 Release Date: 2004-12-22

Tracks:

1. Be Be Your Love
2. Letter Read
3. Worn Me Down
4. Paper Doll
5. I'll Find A Way
6. 1963
7. Under My Skin
8. Meet Me By The Water
9. Even So
10. I Want You
11. Reason Why
12. Moments With Oliver
13. Quiet
14. Edith (Bonus Track)
15. Ode To (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Japanese pressing of the singer/songwriter's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Collide'. RCA.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring Two Bonus Tracks: 'collide' and 'ode To'. Also features Japanese Exclusive Cover Art.

Customer Reviews:

By "Happenstance.......2005-04-30

I first stumbled across Rachael Yamagata when browsing the "used" bins of my favorite music store. Then I came across an EP with a pretty young woman, wearing a sloachy sweater and leaning on a chain-link fence. It had the grittier look of an atypical pop album, and the music backed it up -- as soon as I heard Yamagata's singing, I knew that she was a future hitmaker.

Her full-length debut "Happenstance" just shows that I was completely right. Without sounding repetitive, former electrofunk singer Yamagata follows similar musical turf, exploring saddening love in all its dimensions, with her husky voice and piano-pop sound.

It opens on a piano-jazzy number with "Letter Read," which is the best song that Fiona Apple never sang. In fact, the whole album has a similar flavour, albeit a sadder one, with Yamagata chastising lovers for betrayals, lamenting the distance between them, and telling them how "everybody's talkin' how I can't can't can't be your love/ but I want want want to be your love."

Along the way, she delves into snarly indierock ("she's so pretty/she's so damn right/but I'm so tired of thinking about her tonight!"), melancholy acoustic ballads, piano numbers that sound like they were recorded on a rainy day, and jazzy pop. In "1963," Yamagata takes a break into 60s-style pop and sunny love affairs, announcing, "I find it to be magical/I feel like I'm lovin' you in 1963/Flowers in my hair/little bitty hearts upon my cheek/baby you'll be on my mind/till I kiss you next time." And the Japanese version of this album also has an extra track from her debut EP: "Collide," a melancholy, cello-laden song.

Even touring with Gomez and Liz Phair, Yamagata was relatively little-known before "Happenstance" came out. But her work has a raw, smoky quality that many twenty-something pop stars can only dream on. Listening to these, it's easy to imagine being in a dark club, listening to Yamagata up on a stage.

One of the rare things about Yamagata is that her age is indefinably just by listening to her -- she could be anywhere from fifteen to fifty. Yamagata does bump up against her vocal limitations in "Letter Read"; she sounds very strained in the chorus. At least it's assuring that her voice was untouched by computers. Most of the time, though, she sounds like an indiepop version of Norah Jones -- smoky, smooth and very pretty.

Yamagata -- who wrote most of the songs, and cowrote the others -- plays the piano in her assorted songs, as well as a bit of keyboard and synth. And she is backed up by a very talented band that weaves some extra instrumentation behind her, using drums, bass, guitars and sometimes the cello in a way that is startlingly soft.

Yamagata's poignant full-length debut makes her sound like Fiona Apple's sadder little sister. It's a collection of melancholy and heartbreak, wrapped up in piano tunes. An underrated little gem.

Average customer rating:

Happenstance Rachel Yamagata Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N0VUT2 Release Date: 2004-09-14

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