ZERO ACTS 3&4

LAUGHING STOCK begins to make a name for itself: initially fans of Tears For Fears, Talk Talk and XTC, a little later showing an avowed attraction for the great PINK FLOYD, they begin to live musically in 2018 under their name after rolling their bumps everywhere else. Their influence also goes to the dark prog of KING CRIMSON, but let's take a closer look.

'Wingless' begins on a melodic prog amplified by the contribution of the piano and violin, an austere intimate piece. 'Lifeboat' where the hints of KING CRIMSON come to light, with a reverberation of dark sounds and a divine solo from Andy all in sensitivity, the type of solo that makes you melt. 'The Call' for a consensual title enhanced by the vocal contribution of Nad, a soft and engaging voice that plunges a little more into neo-prog. 'Free' for the interlude, a dark, moving interlude, which gives letters of nobility to the group, showing the singular warmth of the pop-retro prog fusion. 'All Alone' for one of the two sublime tracks on the album; a shivering symphonic rise and a tearing guitar solo, between melancholy and meditative dreamlike spleen. 'Words' for this intimate moment where the violin comes to give warmth to a dark air, where how to find warm coldness, fast but effective. 'Running Faster' title reminding me of a David GILMOUR concert with his calm, plaintive, catchy voice; where the solo seems to come out of his fingers, credited to Andy, his on the 'Animals' solo. 'Familiar Eyes' and Samantha with vocals that reminds me of Anna BATKO of ALBION for the moving title sequence, the melancholy violin adding a layer. 'Mother' flagship title, fusion of KING CRIMSON, MY DYING BRIDE and OPETH second period, the progressive depressive one; the melodramatic title which sublimates the album, which makes you want to listen to it over and over again like in the good old days of manual replay where you had to get up; the greasy, heavy solo is just gripping. 'Words Pt. 2' for the finale, a dark interlude that rests the atmosphere, the one that makes you think about those ¾ hours of happiness.

Well, LAUGHING STOCK is releasing a great album at the start of the year, full of spleen, emotion and sensitivity, listened to once when it was released, I find it (subjective) improved and I decided to ask myself to leave a personal trace of this opus which settles in my list bis 2022.