Happy Ender is a 6-song EP, tracked on the fly by engineer Michael Saint-Leon (Buddy Guy, George Thorogood) over the course of just 2 days, capturing the band in the raw, with minimal overdubs or studio enhancement.

6 MP3 Songs in this album (24:51) !
Related styles: Rock: Americana, Pop: Jangle Pop, Type: Acoustic

People who are interested in Butch Walker The Damnwells The Replacements should consider this download.


Details:
âNashville based pop/rock band The Great Affairsâ latest album, Ricky took the wheels.., is a great affair indeed. This newly released collection of well-crafted songs picks up where their 2009 eponymous debut left off, yet raises the musical bar significantly. Lead vocalist Denny Smith penned all 12 tracks contained in this instantly likeable and highly memorable piece of musical ear candy. Ultimately, itâs the sum of all the parts that make this highly enjoyable album a success. From the inspired lyrics to the excellent guitar work, Ricky took the wheels.. is guaranteed to leave listeners satisfied and anticipating whatâs to come from this highly promising band. This praiseworthy recording sounds like a major label deal should be waiting just around the corner. If this album isnât perfect, then itâs damn close.â
â Eric Allen, The Murfreesboro Pulse
ââRicky Took The Wheelsâ picks up where the last record left off, with the Nashville band serving up more pop Americana. âFeels Like Homeâ is a terrific way to start things offâ¦an upbeat number straight out of the Tom Petty songbook. Hearing The Great Affairs play this one feels like home, indeed, and this one is my favorite off the new album. âInside Your Headâ also has its charms, with a bit of Black Crowes injected into the punchy riffs. The verses shake you a bit, but it is the wonderful pre-chorus that gets you moving. âMy Apologiesâ is a sparse and lovely fingerpicked tune, but then âYouâre Not Funnyâ arrives - a bluesy road house track that gets your blood pumping once again. Similarly, âBastard Sonâ is a driving pop rocker that proves these guys can be more accessible if they want to be. Finally, the record ends on a high note with the crazy good rocker called âLast Good Memoryâ. Recommended if you like The Jayhawks, Grant Lee Phillips, or Wilcoâ
â Bill Sullivan, Bill's Music Forum
âThe Great Affairs are back with their brand of good old-fashion Rock & Roll. This band does not need any gimmicks or to follow any styles to get noticed, their music says it all. The new album entitled "Ricky Took The Wheels" is available now on Faragon Records. The band comes right out of the gate with their straight-forward rock on "Feels Like Home" and "Inside Your Head." The ballads "My Apologies" and "You'll Never Know" carry an acoustic Wilco-type sound with some great lyrics that touch the heart. The band returns to their roots with the southern rocker "So Damn High" and "You're Not Funny." The Great Affairs have so many great songs on their new release that a major label needs to stand-up and take notice of this latest band to come from Nashville.â
â Jim Pasinski, JP's Music Blog
âThe Great Affairs-Ricky Took the Wheels. The Great Affairs are led by Denny Smith, formerly of fORMER, whose "loud" power pop we reviewed here last year. Unlike fORMER, though, The Great Affairs have a more laid-back "Popicana" sound not unlike The Meadows, or the poppier side of Paul Westerberg. Ricky Took the Wheels is actually their second album, with their self-titled debut out late last year, and like the fine debut this has plenty to offer. "Feels Like Home" is as good as this style of pop gets, featuring jangly guitars and hooks and melodies galore, while "So Damn High" and "You're Not Funny" rock in the Tom Petty vein. Smith and crew know their way around a ballad, too, as "My Apologies" and "A Hundred Other Things" demonstrate clearly. And "Last Good Memory" closes the disc as it began, with an excellent roots rocker. â
â Steve, Absolute Powerpop
"Smith is a soulful, rustic rock n' roller who's has turned out a consistent string of fine records over the past couple of years. The Great Affairs' music takes in the rootsy guitar rock, the strained angst, the wavery worry of the Honeydogs, the throbbing blood-vessel edginess of Paul Westerberg, and the soulfulness of Paul Carrack-era Squeeze. All delivered with a passion and desperation that demand attention. In the end, it's just straight ahead rock and roll. No frills. Not sappy, not loud...just oozing with great energy, good songwriting and a powerful voice."
â Max Humphries, Kool Kat Musik
âThe Great Affairs hail from Nashville, TN and prove why Nashville is one of the hotbeds of the nation for new talent. Their sound is simple, but effective and draws you into what theyâre saying. Pop, Folk, Rock, Americana; The Great Affairs cover them all. Right from the albumâs lead-off song âDodge,â The Great Affairs draw strong references to the band Wilco. Denny Smithâs straining vocals play perfectly to the bandâs Americana Pop sound. The music of âDear Johnâ and âUndertowâ sound like Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers outtakes. The acoustics of âBreak Me Downâ and âIsnât She Goldâ helps you concentrate on the songâs strong lyrics. The music of the album flows so smoothly that you keep wanting more and more as each song is as well-written as the one before.â
â JIm Pasinski, J.P.'s Music Blog
â .."an aural barrage of Americana pop, country rock and honky-stomps. Think dusty boots and a crisp-collared button down...country-fried with nuanced pop undertones...straddling alt-country and radio-ready rawk. One part Whiskeytown, throwback Soul Asylum and the Jayhawks with a bit of Wilco thrown in for good measure, The Great Affairs have rendered a respectable outing; truly something for just about everyone." â
â Chris West, Skope Magazine
"...playing loose and having a good, solid time making music from the gut and letting the sparks fly. That it comes off sounding so effortless is testimony to the talents of the participants. Fans of The Jayhawks, The V-Roys and Limbeck should dive right in."
â Bruce Bodeen, Not Lame Recordings
"In the neighborhood of Tom Petty, Wilco, and The Jayhawks. The sound is earnest and organic, pleasant and mellow.The lyrics remind me of the subtle genius of Paul Westerberg at times."
â Bill's Music Forum
"We hear roots poppers like The Jayhawks, some Paul Westerberg solo/latter period Replacements throughout the record...a shimmering blend of country, folk, and bar band rock-leaning songs. Listening to these guys make music is a beautiful American experience."
â Ray Gianchetti, Kool Kat Musik