You've got to laugh

Nik Kershaw | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 30, 2005
• Label: Shorthouse Records
• Copyright: 2006 Shorthouse Records
• Total Length: 51:40
• Genres: Alternative Rock/Singer-Songwriters, Pop/Adult Alternative, Pop/Singer-Songwriters, Rock/Singer-Songwriters
• ASIN: B000Z0RYI6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,034 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My '07 Album of The Year, January 9, 2008

By 

Charles Horton (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You've got to laugh (MP3 Download)

A singularly stunning melodic Pop album from this much under appreciated vocalist/songwriter. Very happy to finally see this amazing project available as a download via Amazon, and although I purchased the physical CD (sonically superior to MP3s) from his website, I'm glad to find the word is spreading.

After his initial commercial success in the mid80s with hits like 'Won't It Be Good' and 'The Riddle', Kershaw all but disappeared only to resurface and reinvent himself after 10 years in 1999 with the brilliant and poignant '15 Minutes' - a Power Pop masterpiece. Followed a couple years later by the disappointing 'To Be Frank', I thought he'd lost 'the muse' once again. I could not have been more wrong. 'You've Got To Laugh' is another stroke of pop genius.

Nik is a 'deep cat' in the best sense of the word. He clearly thinks about his place in the universe and the relationships, observations and emotions that affect his life - all so beautifully captured in his writing. Joyous (Oh you beautiful thing), Humorous (She could be the one), Brash (I hope you're happy now), Stirring (Born yesterday), Intriguing (Old house). 'Promises, Promises': it doesn't get any better in Pop songwriting. Add to all this: insightful arrangements, stellar production and - the icing on the cake - the VOICE. The guy is an incredible and versatile vocalist, bobbing & weaving melody upon alternate melody with perfectly layered harmonies. And the recording itself is dynamic and not smashed in your face like the last atrocious offering from Kershaw's countryman, and obvious influence, Sir Paul.
Interestingly enough, the weakest song here is the Bush-basher 'Loud, confident and wrong' - not that I don't thoroughly agree with the sentiment - but, in the midst of such grace, this angry outburst seems misplaced. A very small misstep in an otherwise superb collection.

I've gushed enough. Buy the whole album. This is as good as it gets in the Pop world, folks.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nik Kershaw, October 9, 2009

By 

David C. Jones "Chief" (Kansas City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You've Got to Laugh (Audio CD)

How this genius has been overlooked by the American music audience astounds me. I own everything he has ever done, and it is all brilliant. I highly recommend him!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, February 3, 2009

By 

Mark Montopoli (BOSTON MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You've Got to Laugh (Audio CD)

been a fan of nik's since his human racing album more people should give a
listen ... i enjoy creative song writing and the fact that his music is his own ....not striving to be to commercail or corprate canned ..yhia collection of songs is as good as 15 miutes that i thought was great