Russell, Luther – Happiness for Beginners - New LP

Happiness For Beginners is the 7th solo record by Los Angeles based Luther Russell. Luther is also one half of Those Pretty Wrongs, along with Jody Stephens of Big Star.With this album, Happiness For Beginners has a dark & romantic feel, armed his trusty Rickenbacker and a few close cohorts, including longtime collaborator SBT (Sarabeth Tucek) and old friend Jason Falkner of Jellyfish/Three O’Clock/The Grays.Happiness For Beginners by Luther RussellEleni P. Austin: The title track kicks things off as spiraling guitars jingle-jangle across rippling piano notes, thumping bass and a clackity backbeat. The melody and arrangement conjure up comparisons to the Byrds, Big Star and The Replacements, but by now, those influences have been baked into Luther’s musical DNA. The lyrics offer a nuanced narrative that explicates that first frisson of instant attraction: “Hitching a ride on the outskirts of town, sun-dappled in gold, as the dusk looms, we’re strewn in our room and our bodies enfol