Happy 2b Hardcore 4
Happy hardcore lives!Happy 2b Hardcore: Chapter 4, a compilation mixed by Anabolic Frolic, brings all the frenetic thrills associated with this extreme subgenre. Aggressively tactless, happy hardcore embraces all that is cheesy. Overly familiar movie themes, saccharine vocal melodies, and  monomaniacal synth riffs are all put to wacky use in this 70-minute  pulsefest of over-amped fun. The relentless beat, forever flirting with 200  bpms, is broken up only by an occasional drum & bass attack.  Mr. X's "Hear  Me," truly demented and inspired stuff, amazes with its sped-up vocals and  piano playing. "I Want You," by BDB, is worth a listen just to check out the  remarkable way vocalist Lisa enunciates the word "fantasy." "Clearly Now"  by Frisky features Daniella singing a pretty melody, but also sports  super-agitated keyboards. The whole disc is a spectacle of jittery, fidgety  rhythm and exuberant chintz.--Fred Cisterna