Laughing Stock
by Talk Talk

From ForegroundNoise 11/07/2017 10:17 | #200902 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Though their shared 6-track, 40-or-so minute format results in Slint's Spiderland often being lumped together with this album under the umbrella label of 'post-rock', a quick venture into its opening 17 seconds of amplifier hiss tells you you're a million miles away from the bustling carnival of Breadcrumb Trail. Right from the offset, the idea that the two albums are opposite sides of the same coin is clear: where Slint's guitars screech, Talk Talk's lull; where McMahan's voice screams, Hollis' quivers. Spirit Of Eden is considered by many to be the culmination of Talk Talk's transformation from the new wave sound they first emerged with, and there's no denying the quality in tracks like Eden and I Believe In You. But for me, their swansong Laughing Stock captures the manic brilliance of the band right at the moment of their dissolution.

Take opening track Myrrhman for example: Hollis' obscure and muted lyrics punctuated by dissonant and shapeless instrumentation might seem baffling, or even over-indulgent at first; I certainly used to think so. But by the end of its delicate and pained string section it becomes clear that the reason Talk Talk disorientated you was just so they could pick you apart all the more easily.

Most of this is copied from the description of the album in my overall chart, do check it out if you have the time!!

Sometimes I'll think I know an album well enough, for it to not be able to surprise me anymore. That I know its secrets, that I know what appeals to me, and what not. But then, under certain set of circumstances, all of my convictions will be turned on its head. And then remain that way afterwards, without those circumstances present anymore.

With this album, what it took was one walk at night in forest setting. It was a transcendental experience. Taphead geniunely frightened me. No matter where and when I listen to this album now, the feelings I felt then will come rushing back.

I wonder if it's time to move it towards the top of my chart. After all, there was only one other album, that had similar impact on me, and I was younger, and more inexperienced about music back then.

From JulianR TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/28/2018 06:51 | #211843 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Ya, so I changed my mind. This is one of the greatest albums of all time. Hollis and Friese-Greene, along with a cadre of session musicians, were able to create an album that seems to exist completely separate of all other music, except of course Spirit of Eden. It still remains unparalleled and not even properly imitated.

100/100 (Perfect, or close to it) (Edited)

After the first listen, Laughing Stock seems to be composed of pleasant songs that would make nice background music but does not have much of an edge. The songs ultimately lack progression. I do intend to listen to the album again in a different setting to try to appreciate it. The one standout track, in my opinion, was After the Flood. (Edited)

Well, this comment previously had a link to the Red Krayola song 'Listen to This', but I removed it, as I don't think Mayo Thompson's way of saying the sentence sounds like he's refering to anything else but the sound that comes afterwards. My intention was of course to get Mayo Thompson to tell you to listen to this album - I'd actually beg you to listen to it if you haven't already. I've realised that I've never heard a better album than this. It might change one day, but right now this is the peak