Laughing Stock: Sunrise

I first became familiar with the Norwegian progressive rock band Laughing Stock after listening to their 2020 release The Island (a redo of their debut album of the same name). Then came Zero, Acts 1 & 2 which I quite liked as well but their follow-up Zero, Acts 3 & 4 I unfortunately missed. In this review we visit the band’s sophomore effort titled Sunrise, released in 2019.

The music on Sunrise is generally mellow and thoughtful, very artful with fine musicianship and excellent production values. The playing isn’t showy or extravagant, this is more laid back and melancholic, with lovely vocal arrangements and fine attention to detail. The title track begins the album with an alarm clock setting off and talking voices before a rumbling synth , soft acoustic guitar, and lush synths slowly unfold. If latter day Floyd suits your fancy this will go down very nice. “Echoes� has pretty, melancholic piano, very slow with a relaxed pacing and the vocals are again lovely. Nice acoustic rhythms lead to a tasteful electric guitar solo and soaring lead vocals. Again, fans of Pink Floyd should take note. On the excellent “Afraid� I hear a little Stranglers in the vocals and arrangement and in the balladic “Another Me� a heart wrenching melody and gentle lead guitar will play with your emotions. “Intermission�, the lone instrumental, has some heavier textures and another excellent guitar solo. The dreamy “Sunset� and the brighter “Fading Light� reveal more great melodies and understated musicianship.

If you appreciate latter day Pink Floyd and modern artists like Bjorn Riis I think Sunrise is an album you will easily appreciate. Highly recommended.

An Apollon Records release.

Track Listing:
1. Sunrise (4:51)
2. Echoes (4:45)
3. Afraid (5:25)
4. Another Me (5:47)
5. Intermission (2:56)
6. Sunset (3:31)
7. Fading Light (4:19)
8. Waves (3:33)
9. Darkest Hour (6:44)
10. Another Sunrise (4:46)

Added: February 11th 2023
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 689
Language: english

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