Happy Birthday turns one

“Happy Birthday,” the eponymous debut from the Vermont trio, is full of cleverly disguised pop songs. Although some weaker moments mar the album, it’s still a strong first effort.

Kyle Thomas, the lead guitarist and singer, writes songs that are naturally sing-a-longs. Unfortunately, his bratty singing sometimes ruins the effect; it’s easy to make a mental picture of his snarl on what should be a relatively pleasant song. A few more hooks probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

The album’s best songs focus on Thomas’ pop skills. The opening track, “Girls FM,” and “Pink Strawberry Shake” feature relatively clean guitars, which don’t cover up the melodies. The penultimate track, “Zit,” is a successful contrast: it throws away the pop for teenage anger.

“Happy Birthday” has plenty of strong moments, but the group still has some room to improve before its next birthday.