Legendary Pink Dots, The: The Museum Of Human Happiness

How does one keep up with The Legendary Pink Dots? With over forty studio albums to their credit along with multiple solo albums and various other projects, their body of work, when taken as a whole, is truly remarkable.

The London band formed in 1980 by Edward Ka-Spel, Phil Knight (aka The Silver Man), and April Knight. The trio were attending the Stonehenge Free Festival where they heard psychedelic music and the sound of a Korg synth wafting through the air. They sought out the band, a trio, and from there they were inspired to form their own band and forty-two years later released The Museum Of Human Happiness, created during the height of the pandemic. The lockdown forced the band to be apart but the magic of the internet allowed for the creative process to continue, as it did with many other bands at the time. The concept was inspired from a story written by Edward’s daughter titled The Museum Of Happiness. I take this this to be the antithesis of where humanity was at the time of the pandemic, the museum representing the illusion that humanity’s problems are fleeting, the pleasantness contrasted by the real life nightmare that engulfed the world. The idea is both obscure and brilliant, and the music is certainly impressive.

The disc begins with “This Is The Museum�, a cohesive tune with the band’s atmospheric psychedelics, spacey synths, and pseudo pop vibes with that avant quirkiness the band is known for. Ka-Spel’s half spoken vocals are compelling and strangely catchy, making for an excellent start. With “There Be Monsters� the band is at their creative best focusing on a pastoral psychedelic sound, very English with nods to early Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd. The melody is pretty, yet still the band let their enigmatic strangeness seep in. Weird sound effects and quiet interludes showcase the band’s creative side. Again, the imaginative and avant nature of the band shines through. The electric guitar is utilized more in the intriguing “Cloudsurfer� as Ka-Spel’s softly sung vocals and darker imagery contrast with a lovely melody. The sound is quite refined before the weirdness takes us on a darker path. “Cruel Brittania� rocks a little harder, more upbeat, with an urgent vibe, followed by the moody “Nightingale� with its pulsating electronics and darker edges. I hear a little Depeche Mode in the vocals.

What a fine album The Museum Of Human Happiness is. Although a grower, there are many melodies to dig out and for those who appreciate the general weirdness of the band, well, there’s that too. Just an excellent album from start to finish.

Playing on the album are:
Edward Ka-Spel (vocals, keyboards, devices)
Erik Drost (guitars, bass guitar)
The Silver Man (vintage synthesizers, keyboards

A Metropolis Records release

Track Listing:
1. This Is The Museum
2. There Be Monsters
3. Cloudsurfer
4. Cruel Brittania
5. Nightingale
6. Hands Face Space
7. Coronation Street
8. Postcards From Home
9. The Girl Who Got There First
10. A Stretch Beyond
11. Tripping On My Nightmares
12. Nirvana For Zeroes

Added: May 23rd 2025
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 220
Language: english

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