When Sub Pop signed Happy Birthday last year, the Vermont trio was less than a year old and hadnt even recorded any songs. Theyve since started earning their keep, last month releasing their self-titled debut album. Happy Birthdays first single, Girls FM, is bouncy with a strong Pixies-circa-Surfer-Rosa feel, thanks to the ragged guitar, drummer Ruth Garbus sweet and airy vocals, and the humming sing-song chorus. That happy, head-bobbing vibe characterizes the rest of the record, along with front man Kyle Thomas extra-nasally voice, his blithe and breezy melodies, and some flat-out rad guitar solos. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Sat., April 24, 3 p.m., 2010
