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Music > Albums > Talk Talk - Laughing Stock (2006) Retail CD
added on May 7, 2007, at 06:22 by allcdcovers

The three years that followed Talk Talk's mesmerising penultimate studio recording, "Spirit of Eden", could not have been more gracefully followed than by the work of this - the swan song of their career - "Laughing Stock". With its adroit melodies and jazz-tinged breaks, the album holds as a collective of the band's most accomplished work. Whilst their early career was centred around EMI-firendly hit singles, the departure to "Spirit of Eden" saw the band mature in a way that no-one could have predicted, and despite both the lack of commercial interest and the closing curtain for their performing career, "Laughing Stock" shows the band at their artistic optimum. And whilst it failed to top the album charts on its release, this one record has inspired over a decade of arresting music, and gave birth to what is now known as Post-Rock. From album opener, "Myrrham", the listener is instantly given an impression of what this record is not; with every track over nearly 5 minutes in length, there is not a sinlge commercial "hit" on the album. What the album is however, is a beautiful, soulful record that deserves and earns the listener's attention. This is not background music. The album progresses with every second that passes by, but not in the cliched essence of 70's prog-rock. There are no pretentious anthemic build-ups, but instead, sparse breaks and monumentous climaxes. What "Spirit of Eden" started, this album takes to the next level. This is not for the light-hearted listener, but is best recommended for those who simply love to be taken by surprise and led on a musical journey; as this is one of the most subtly magnificant records of the past 40 years.

back 1000 x 783 px

front 806 x 800 px