Review / 200 Words Or Less
Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds
Happy Couples Never Last

Cock Suck (2008) Jason

Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds – Happy Couples Never Last cover artwork
Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds – Happy Couples Never Last — Cock Suck, 2008

I have never been a big fan of bands from the Island Nation of Japan. They were always so over the top and the "Engrish" lyrics were never worth anything than a couple of giggles. Oh, I am such the ignorant American. Anyhow, one would think that a band called Gordon Ivy & the Jaybirds they would sounds like the following: a sleazy Vegas lounge act, a pop-punk band with a surf/50's flair, or a dirty 70's rock band. Yeah well, once again, this band is from Japan, where nothing makes sense and you can buy panties from vending machines. Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds actually sounds like every NYHC band from 82-88. Awesome. Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds play fast and know what a good breakdown is. However, fifteen tracks is a bit much to wade through especially when almost every song on Happy Couples Never Last follows the exact same formula of slow build up, insanely fast part, breakdown. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. At least it's something I wasn't expecting.

6.2 / 10Jason • May 26, 2008

Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds – Happy Couples Never Last cover artwork
Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds – Happy Couples Never Last — Cock Suck, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more

Deseos Primitivos

Lineas de Muerte
Shadowplay Records (2025)

Some reviews are written after years of listening to a band and knowing nearly everything about them. Sometimes I listen to a record on repeat for weeks before I even look up the correct song titles – Deseos Primitivos (Primitive Desires) is the latter. This promo came to SPB as literally a one sentence quote about the band and its … Read more