SONGS FOR THE FUTURE

LAUGHING STOCK started in 1986, fans of TEARS FOR FEARS, TALK TALK from which they borrowed a title to identify themselves and other XTCs in addition to PINK FLOYD and KING CRIMSON. They embarked on the musical bath in 2016 after gravitating in separate groups on an art rock side; a 6th album if we separate the Acts1/2 and 3/4, dreamlike, vibrant and singular, a surprising opus from which we do not know where it will lead us; album to dissect, here we go.

"For the Boys" direct XTC intro fresh orchestral, then air of the BEATLES, well that makes sense since XTC was their spiritual son; solemn and bucolic trumpet at the same time, on a fruity folk pop-rock side with Colin, simple and effective. "Songs for the Future" still sounds from the 80s, I suddenly think of TALKING HEADS, a phrasing voice that stands out from the repetitive musical score; dark atmosphere of a night bar suddenly lit up by the electro-country break where the slide guitar comes to wreak havoc; final spatial cinematic, there at the bottom of space. "Something Happens" for a padded melodic title with ambient acoustic guitar and clarinet; the solo break smells of PINK FLOYD then choirs with trumpet which groove downright funky, borderline with the prog spirit; yet another two-part finale to a bucolic serenade. "The Other Side" soft-spatial intro and the participation of Colin, that of CAMEL; intimate title where the bass is very present, minimalist airy pop frame on a nice crescendo recalling the moderate evolutions of ALAN PARSONS. "December" for the soporific ballad, slow, latent, on piano and sax on the couch; a relaxing digression. "Like Home" sounds Crimsonian in the intro before mounting a European tribal sound. The sound is planing and rock, on an evolving rhythm; very 80 like the SIMPLE MINDS with fat synths and fat solo, superb.

"The Ocean" in rock-folk-pop spirit with Billy bass and vocals for the well-rhythmed, melodic consensual title, for a regression of musical time; its new having nothing to do with their previous album. "Changed" jazzy electro- piano at a slower pace, a striking percussion hit, the guitar solo setting the prog atmosphere and allowing you to escape for a few moments. "Night of a Thousand Stars" on a nursery rhyme with hints of XTC; a lullaby even rising again with a superb solo by Jan. "It is Time" comes to save the album a little by finally offering a longer piece and the sound of their latest creations; there is progressive latency, airy notes, a grandiloquent, orchestral, atmospheric air like on a SIGUR ROS piece; a sound changing from acoustic to electric; the finale with white as during the 90 brings vintage spatial kinematics with keyboards of time and nursery rhyme followed by a bucolic climb à la VANGELIS to close, others would say KRAFTWERK. "Blue Grass" and the title acoustic piano with a solemn atmosphere, two minutes of prog of yesteryear to bathe in the air with voice-over and spleen, the title you would like longer, immersive, the best. "Stay a While" floydian guitar arpeggio before leaving on an agreed rock-folk title.

LAUGHING STOCK released a surprising and confusing album, spreading vintage emotion with recent melodies delving into the past; yes you have to revise and love the sound ideas of TALK TALK and other XTCs to hang on without the risk of getting lost; those who love WATERS the musician or the BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST will be able to enjoy and regress; it's prog but soft-pop fruity, airy and light but intimate enough to think of the musical value in our life.