It’s not easy to bring together four individually talented MC’s and make a cohesive project, but EF@mm sure made it seem that way. Tonedeff, Pack FM, Substantial and Session are little known but respected up-and-comers, looking to crawl their way into our brains. It’s not often that an album’s title actually reflects the musical content, but this is one of those cases. There’s a lot of happy/light-hearted production followed by arrogant rhymes, and some humorous concepts. Happy Fuck You Songs is one of those LP’s that’ll bring a smile to your face, with the occassional minor flaw.

Each MC has their own unique style, highlighted on different tracks. Tonedeff produced the majority of the beats, and also showed off his lightning fast flow on tracks like “Line Drop,” and “Velocity.” “Line Drop” sports production that must be directly out of an 80’s video game, also speeding up and changing pace, allowing Tonedeff to shine. “Velocity” is a more straight-forward double-time track, but it works just as well. Session’s solo also happens to be the hardest track on the LP, “Murder in the Verse Degree.” The opening will take some people back to Gravediggaz’ “Diary of a Madman,” since it starts off as a trial and moves onto Session describing how he got to that point. Pack FM and Tonedeff merge for “Good Combination,” a circus style track with lyrics based on how great of a combination they are.

“Celly” is the most unique and perhaps best track on the LP. Conversations go back and forth over their cell phones, misunderstanding most of what is said. I just wish they didn’t put the “Can you hear me now? Good” as the hook, which made me cringe. “How U Doin” has a similar problem, since an otherwise nasty track is hampered by a cliched joke on the hook. “Obligatory Posse Cut” brings together way too many dope people to name, including Breez Evahflowin, Deacon the Villain, and more. The title of the track alone shows their sense of humor, and that they don’t take themsevles too seriously. “Pebble Jam” is a parody of the popular battle tournament, Scribble Jam. They jokingly exaggerate Eyedea’s battle style as “Eye-W” takes on Osama Jin Ladin. I laugh everytime I hear their impression of Eyedea, and even some of Osama’s terrorist-related lines.

There isn’t a single track on Happy Fuck You Songs that isn’t worth hearing. Sometimes their lyrics can become too saturated with punchlines, especially when a conceptual track like “Celly” stands out so much. The production is solid all the way through, and it’s probably the most humorous album to drop in 2002. Each MC has their own personality and style, so a track never falls off in terms of energy or quality. Whether you enjoy the high voice and clever lines of Pack FM, or the rapid fire style of Tonedeff. I’m looking forward to what all of them can do individually, if this is what they pull off in very restrictive conditions. Check this if you’re looking for upbeat, light-hearted Hip Hop, and polished MC’s who put it together nicely.

Score: 3/5