Album Review: It Must Be The Season Family Happiness by Ornament
Alright, let’s talk about this gem from 2017—It Must Be The Season Family Happiness by Ornament. If you’re into that sweet spot where rock meets pop with a dash of something nostalgic, this album might just hit the spot for ya. Released under Ornament Records (their own label, cool huh?), it’s got this raw, homemade vibe that feels super genuine. Plus, the credits show how tight-knit this crew is—Alec O’Connell on bass and guitar, Ryan Donoho killing it on drums and synths, and Will Mann doing vocals while tickling keys like a madman.
Now, I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect much when I first pressed play. But man, two tracks stuck out to me right away: “Family Happiness” and “It Must Be The Season.” Let’s break ‘em down real quick.
“Family Happiness” feels like hanging out in your buddy’s garage while they jam out. It’s not overly complicated but has this warm groove that sneaks up on you. The organ work here? Super chill, almost like church music got invited to a house party. And Will’s voice—it’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it stick. There’s this sort of scrappy charm that reminds me of those late-night drives where you don’t wanna go home yet.
Then there’s “It Must Be The Season,” which gets replayed twice on the tracklist because… well, maybe they really liked it? This one leans more into the pop side of things, with these catchy synth lines that feel straight outta the '80s. Like, if John Hughes made a movie today, this would totally be on the soundtrack. What kills me is how smooth Ryan’s percussion blends with Alec’s electric guitar riffs—it’s simple but hits all the right notes. Also, shoutout to whoever decided to throw in some twelve-string action; it gives the whole thing this shimmering edge.
Here’s the thing though—the album isn’t trying too hard to impress anyone. That’s kinda refreshing nowadays, y’know? You can tell these guys were just having fun making music together, no big agenda or anything. Honestly, listening to this feels like finding an old mixtape at a thrift store. It’s not gonna change your life, but damn if it doesn’t make you smile.
Oh, and one last random thought—how wild is it that a band named Ornament came out with an album title as long as their name? Feels like someone was messing around during brainstorming sessions. Either way, props to ‘em for keeping it quirky.
So yeah, give this one a spin if you’re in the mood for some laid-back tunes. Not every album needs to reinvent the wheel to leave an impression. Sometimes, it’s enough to remind us why we love music in the first place.
