"Linus of Hollywood is careful to pay attention to past heroes, and more than one influence can be heard throughout the disc. Fans of Wings and solo McCartney will probably be charmed by "The Girl I'll Never Have", which sounds like a nice little "You Gave Me the Answer" tribute, complete with a chorus of kazoos. "Where Are You?" is uncannily similar to ELO's "Telephone Line" in both idea and execution. And "A Whole New Country" sounds like it would fit nicely on something like 10cc's Sheet Music (it somewhat recalls their "Hotel" from that album in spots). Even the majestic opening track "Building a Ship" echoes some of the more grandiose moments of Procol Harum. But within these apparent influences, Linus does indeed have his own voice. He's not merely recycling the old favorites and showing off. He's genuinely integrated them into an honest piece of work here that is quite simply one of the best pop releases to come around this year. For the most part, Linus has played everything here himself, with a bit of assistance on the drums, flute, and bass. So if visions of Todd Rundgren start popping up in your head when listening to this album, don't be alarmed. Linus could give Rundgren a run for his old school money any day with albums like these (and really, who wouldn't like to see Todd pull another Something/Anything? out of his hat after all this time). Pop albums this good don't come out every day, despite what the droves of "pop" groups may lead you to believe. Get this one while it's hot. Let Yourself Be Happy is an excellent reminder of the way things used to be, done with a true and knowing style. When so many bands out there claim to be real pop purveyors, it's always nice to have someone like Linus of Hollywood come around and show them how wrong they are. To sum up: Let Yourself Be Happy by Linus of Hollywood. 11 tracks, no filler. Tasty and satisfying, just the way pop music ought to be."
-- Jason Thompson (PopMatters)

"Genius...sheer f'ing genius! Anyone who could take Ozzy's "Goodbye To Romance" and turn it into something the Beach Boys would be proud of deserves total props. Building on the solid pop foundation of the 70s AM Gold sound and giving it his own wicked spin, once again Linus knocks me for a loop. With bigger than life melodies and harmonies songs like "A Whole New Country", "The Girl I'll Never Have" and the Wings-like "Where Are You?" are among some of the best pure pop I've heard in quite a while. Various types of keyboards dominate the mix, which are strictly worked from 8-tracks, which make it all the more incredible that everything sounds as clean and crisp as it does. If this isn't on everyone's top 10 for 2001, something is seriously wrong. Like I said, sheer f'ing genius!" -- (SFK)

"On his second album, Let Yourself Be Happy, Linus Of Hollywood continues to bestow his gift of giving each and every listener a good feelin' time, without ever sounding like a lightweight. His tunes are short, sweet, and to the point, and go down as easy as a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. You'll bop along to songs like the Calypso-flavored, ba-ba-ba laden "A Whole New Country," a theme to an early '70s children's show that never was, called "The Girl I'll Never Have," and "Every Day I Fall In Love Again," which could definitely serve as an anthem for every pop guy in the universe. If it sounds to you like Linus has overdosed on happy pills, check out "Building A Ship," a gorgeous, majestic ballad built around a "Greensleeves" melody and spiked with a healthy dose of strings, soaring vocals, and circular keyboards. Jellyfish fans will also love "Why Don't We" a beautiful waltz with ornate melodies (nice use of that Yellow Balloon "aaahh" in the bridge, Linus!). There are also a couple of excellent odes to the fairer sex (can that term still be used in these PC days?), "To Be A Girl," which may remind you of Lobo to the tenth power, and an aural bouquet of flowers, "Need You Around." The most charming song on Let Yourself Be Happy is "Thank You For Making Me Feel...Better," a paean to a favorite beverage, featuring sounds of pouring and bottles being smashed...you need to hear it for yourself, bud. You won't have to let yourself be happy when you listen to the new Linus Of Hollywood record. It will happen all by itself." -- David Bash (Amplifier)

"Linus isn't afraid to trumpet his positive take on life in general with feelgood music to match. On this excellent sophomore album, Linus continues his sublime interpretation of the soft/chamber/baroque pop values espoused by the likes of Brian Wilson (Building A Ship, A Whole New Country, Every Day I Fall In Love Again), Harry Nilsson (The Girl I'll Never Have), Todd Rundgren (Why Don't We...), ELO (Where Are You?), Queen (Goodbye to Romance) and ABBA (To Be A Girl). User friendly music in the good sense of the word. Sweet." -- (Power of Pop)

"Linus is a pop island writing seemingly light 60's inspired pop ditties as if he was stuck in the mid-70's wishing for disco and heavy metal to stop. Remember Vance Or Towers, Dwight Twilley and Emitt Rhodes? Like ex-Sneetch Mike Levy, he's enamored with Brian Wilson, but never sounds like he's stuck in the mud. This is brilliant fresh pop. Anachronistic? Sure. Pop as fuck? You bet your fucking life. This goes the line only the most devoted smart McCartney-phile and Beach Boy worshipper goes, but with insane musical sensibilities and proper modern studio know-how he pulls it off. I guess there's parallels in the jazz world. There must be daft and brilliant obscurities in the 80's that captured the essence of the late 50's groundswell that brought us such genius stuff from Monk, Miles, Mingus, and Coltrane. Well, at least I hope so. And that's what this record does for connoisseurs of late 60's and early 70's pop. A little mix of AM radio sensibility along with a post-Pet Sounds concept. Yeah. "How did the happen?," you ask. Well, let's not worry about "how." Let's just be happy it's here, and that someone knows how to pull it off. Alongside last year's Andrew LP and the current Mike Levy disc, this is a sweet secret for all pop lovers and definitely a good sign that all of those pop festivals weren't in vain. Some people were definitely inspired." -- Pat Pierson (Yeah Yeah Yeah)

"4 stars.. Let Yourself Be Happy is a slight step down from the euphoric highs of Your Favorite Record; that's not necessarily a harsh appraisal, considering how incredible the first Linus of Hollywood album was. But even if it doesn't quite sustain the same sparkle as the debut, the album is just as endearing, and many of the songs are nearly as memorable."-AMG.