Customer Reviews

Laughters Fifth

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On their past albums Love As Laughter has had a MC5, pre-punk inspired sound. With their new, aptly titled album, Laughter's Fifth, they depart from said sound to take on one that's even older. From the acid rock artwork on the cover, to the Keith Richards guitar tones, this CD screams late 60's rock and roll. There aren't any bells or whistles on this album, as the music is stripped down to bare essentially; drums, bass, guitar, vocals, and occasionally some keys. The only thing that really places Laughter's Fifth in this decade is Sam Jayne's distinctive vocal stylings. At a time when bands are reaching back to the 80's for inspiration, the heavy dose of late 60's rock put forth by Love As Laughter is as refreshing as it gets.

-Jason Catanzarite
Synthesis.net

this band hasn't put out a bad record yet. this flows in a way all the other converse clad poseurs wish they could. a lot more laid back than their previous releases, this album bares the soul of a true rock and roller in sam, without the played out, annoying cliches all the other rip-off artists are throwing at us these days. if you'd like something new and original that doesn't remind you of gang of four or joy division, check this record out.

i like this album the best. i put off buying it and regret doing so. ill listen to the whole album. i especially like corona extra because of the cazoo solos.

My own enthusiasm at this sort of jazzy transparent and acoustic tinged sound will be too personal (I heard and owned last Sub Pop long before The Yelbaev Tribune and Yelbaev Picks ever existed) but Gee, the wonderful label's stuff seems about as permanent and staying as dollar bill. Good to see digital technology did nothing to alter the acoustic alternative, and Sam Layne of Lync defunct outfit fame stems from exactly the early 90s (when the mass transfer to CD and damping LPs generally occured). This alone will persuade the veteran collector. Next, to my tastes, he sounds a lot like Larry Smith, the Warner green label artists and Frank Zappa's entire "undie" revival. Hot unbridled lines mixing guitar wha-wha's with horny sax and transparent percussion - the thing is unforgettable, staying and instantly contagious. Acoustic string and wind instruments add to outlandish and English floksy image and appeal. Again, the work renders itself to being taken apart in attempt to actually tap the source of the Force, but the task will elude the seeker. Having read up about different sources on this arrival, I had my hearty laughs at how a worthy arrival can drive nuts a consciencious reviewer, and that's probably the final proof of quality to this. Go and buy one -- and have a different opinion by all means. hopefully, I managed to render the core of the matter.

Love is Laughter is one in a string of indie bands that do a very good job sounding just like every other rock band you've never heard of. The first four tracks are forgettable and useless. But fortunately, starting with 'Every Midnight Song', the songwriting clicks and you start to get the impression they might actually give a crap about the music they're performing. 'Dirty Lives' is a clever, Kinks influenced college rock anthem that irreverently trivializes popular morality. Every song is witty and irreverent, creating an overall sound that doesn't take itself; or anything seriously. Unfortunately, that's just what the Beatles and the Kinks did throughout their career. And, the engaging melodies and fun guitar rhythyms sound just like Franz Ferdinand-esque guitar rock in some cases, and sound too trademarkedly indie in others. Lauther's Fifth is an album you might enjoy -- if you don't mind that everything they do was done by somebody else more successfully.