Happy End - Happy End (1970/2023) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Happy End (Japanese: はっぴいえんど, Hepburn: Happī Endo) is the self-titled debut album by Japanese folk rock band Happy End. Because their third album is also self-titled, although written in English, this first album is also known by the name "Yudemen" (ゆでめん) after the sign depicted in the cover art.

All the album's lyrics were written by Takashi Matsumoto, with the exception of "Tobenai Sora" (Haruomi Hosono) and "Ira Ira" (Eiichi Ohtaki).

Michael K. Bourdaghs wrote that the first track "Haruyo Koi" ("Come, Spring!") is about "ordinary daily life in the city. Specifically, they take up the boredom of one who faces the New Year holiday alone, sitting by himself at his kotatsu after having abandoned his rural family home for a new life in the city."
Reception

This album marked an important turning point in Japanese music history, as it sparked what would be known as the "Japanese-language rock controversy" (日本語ロック論争, Nihongo Rokku Ronsō). There were highly publicized debates held between prominent figures in the Japanese rock industry, most notably the members of Happy End and Yuya Uchida, regarding whether rock music sung entirely in Japanese was sustainable. Previously, almost all popular rock music in Japan was sung in English. The success of Happy End's debut album, as well as their following album Kazemachi Roman, proved the sustainability of Japanese-language rock in Japan.

Julian Cope, English musician and author of Japrocksampler, referred to 1970's Happy End as clearly the band's best work. Both Cope and HMV Japan noted similarities to work by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

TRACKLIST

1. Happy End - Haru Yo Koi
2. Happy End - Kakurenbo
3. Happy End - Shin Shin Shin
4. Happy End - Tobenai Sora
5. Happy End - Teki Tanatosu wo Souki Seyo!
6. Happy End - Ayakashi no Doubutsuen
7. Happy End - 12 gatsu no Amenohi
8. Happy End - Iraira
9. Happy End - Asa
10. Happy End - Happy End
11. Happy End - Zoku Happy Iie End



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