Stabilo - Happiness & Disaster (2006)

Stabilo's musical proficiency is evident throughout this hour-long sophomore release, due in part to the disc's highly respected producer, Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate.) One of the CD's strongest tracks, "Kidding Ourselves," would fit perfectly between Coldplay and Maroon 5 on mainstream radio, while the rockier first single "Flawed Design" showcases the lads' clever lyrics via a track that describes the type of internal dialogue that would run through the head of an emotional manipulator. Just like life itself, Happiness & Disaster isn't perfect--"Delivering Idiots" admittedly owes more than a few props to Radiohead's "Creep" (right through the painfully familiar-sounding guitar solo)--but don't let that low point throw you off. This is not intended as a singles-oriented album; it is, instead, a full-length collection of emotion and introspection set to strongly-crafted melodies, and will undoubtedly gain further respect with each listen. --Denise Sheppard