Laughing Stock Delivers A Vintage Post-Punk EP
A fresh new release from Laughing Stock brings out a lush and vast set of songs that balance the line between indie rock, post-punk, and hints of new wave that come through at certain points, all rolled into this one fat EP that really service is quite an escape if you listen to it from start to finish, which, I think, is what it was meant for.
One of my favorite aspects of the Still Life EP, is the tones of the instruments and the way it was recorded. These guys actually captured this brilliant underground early to mid-90s post-punk aesthetic so well that it gave me bouts of nostalgia.
You have outstanding guitar tones throughout this entire thing that sort of swim around in the air that surrounds you, giving off that expansive and spacious underbelly, giving songs so much depth and a sort of cinematic feel and approach as well.
There's a very particular aesthetic when it comes to true to heart, classic post-punk, and these guys nailed that perfectly.
The whole record feels like a love letter to the bands that inspired them.
The release starts with a track called "Grift", which, right off the bat, showcases some of the band's finer staples that you will hear throughout the rest of the record.
Guitars that are sort of drenched in this chorus effect, amazing precaution, and drumming that doesn't just drive the song but actually let it feel alive and breathing. It adds an excitability to the track and gives the band these energy surges at just the right times.
Most importantly, to me anyway, the bass guitar tone is spot on. The bass guitar tone is dripping wet with the facts, but crystal clear, and the performances on that instrument are perfect.
The bass guitar is what helps nail down that aesthetic almost over everything else. I know, it sounds crazy, but if you are an actual fan of post-punk, New Wave, and classic, underground style indie rock stuff, the bass guitar is an absolute key element in terms of how the song comes through aesthetically.
This band knows that. These guys have a love for their craft, and when I say that, I don't just mean singing or playing instruments. I mean writing songs together.
These guys set out to release a record that feels semi-vintage, and its tonality and approach. They did it.
Mission accomplished.
It's people like me who appreciate these kinds of things because I grew up with a lot of this kind of material. Loving songs like the ones on this record. It gives me a youthful feeling even listening to it now.
Stuff that leans more towards the new wave side of things or even indie rock, our songs like "Ease of Use", which kicks off with a super addicting and progressive guitar lick, and again, this whole vast underbelly that lets certain things feel slightly distanced.
The vocalist is an absolute perfect fit for what the band is doing. The aesthetic, the vibe, the tone, the way he performs, it all fits like puzzle pieces.
This is a band that is on the same page 100% and it shows.
I also love the energy on this record because it makes me feel like certain aspects of this record were tracked live on the floor. There are things about this release that put you there in the moment with them, and the energy levels are one of them.
It seems almost like these guys were all in a room, feeding off of each other's energy the entire time they were recording this.
Of course, I wasn't there, so I can't say that for sure. But listening to the record makes you want to go see them perform it live, right in your face.
If they can capture this kind of energy and aesthetic on record this well, then seeing them live must be amazing.
You rarely hear a band on record and immediately know they're going to be awesome live, but for me, this is one of those bands.
There are plenty of progressive elements in the songwriting and tones, with surprises around some of the corners. This whole thing feels like stepping into a different world that is slightly edgy and dark, yet still has a pop lining that keeps things a bit colorful.
It's a brilliant combination really.
So, these guys have the EP available on their Bandcamp on cassette. This is absolutely the way to go if you are a fan and have a cassette player.
I do, and I'm probably going to order one of these myself.
This gives you the full effect. It's part of what they're going for.
Listening to this particular EP on cassette tape is the epitome of what this project is all about.
Again, I'm just speaking for myself. I'm not part of the project by any means, but for me it just makes sense.
I love this record, and if you are a true fan of classic post-punk, then you are not going to want to miss this.
Trust me.
