Exposé Online

What's old

Exposé print issues (1993-2011)

• 1 (October 1993)
• 2 (February 1994)
• 3 (May 1994)
• 4 (August 1994)
• 5 (October 1994)
• 6 (March 1995)
• 7 (July 1995)
• 8 (November 1995)
• 9 (March 1996)
• 10 (August 1996)
• 11 (February 1997)
• 12 (May 1997)
• 13 (October 1997)
• 14 (February 1998)
• 15 (July 1998)
• 16 (January 1999)
• 17 (April 1999)
• 18 (November 1999)
• 19 (May 2000)
• 20 (October 2000)
• 21 (March 2001)
• 22 (July 2001)
• 23 (December 2001)
• 24 (April 2002)
• 25 (September 2002)
• 26 (February 2003)
• 27 (August 2003)
• 28 (December 2003)
• 29 (April 2004)
• 30 (September 2004)
• 31 (March 2005)
• 32 (September 2005)
• 33 (May 2006)
• 34 (March 2007)
• 35 (January 2008)
• 36 (October 2008)
• 37 (July 2009)
• 38 (July 2010)
• 39 (Summer 2011)

Laughing Stock — The Island
(Apollon Records ARP032, 2018/2020, CD)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2020-12-07

It was not that long ago that I reviewed Laughing Stock’s second album Sunrise. Now Apollon Records has re-issued Laughing Stock’s self-produced first album, The Island. Just like Sunrise, The Island is a concept album, but the music and themes are not as focused. The Island revolves around daily challenges and watching life spiral out of control. However the music is not as dark and depressing as the subject matter. Drawing inspiration from 80s art pop, 70s prog, neo-prog, folk, and metal, the eight tracks are a pleasure to experience. Laughing Stock are masters of melodic themes, mood shifts, and tightly composed songs. Tracks that stand out are “That Face” and “Descension.” Though there are moments of Gothic Western or slightly sinister music, overall there is an uplifting vibe. And the guitar playing on “Canyon Crawlers” bears a similarity to Alain Markusfeld’s Le Desert Noir. Recommended for fans of melodic prog rock that flirts with jazz fusion.

---

Filed under: New releases, 2020 releases, 2018 recordings

Related artist(s): Laughing Stock

More info
http://laughingstock1.bandcamp.com/album/the-island

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.

• Review: Focus - Focus 12
  Published 2024-12-22
• Review: Dirk Bruinsma - Low Reliefs
  Published 2024-12-21
• Review: Passionfix - Silent Town
  Published 2024-12-21
• Review: The Verge - The Verge
  Published 2024-12-20
• Review: Denman Maroney - The Air-Conditioned Nightmare & Covid Variations
  Published 2024-12-19
• Review: Jill Fraser - Earthly Pleasures
  Published 2024-12-18
• Review: Erik Wøllo - Solastalgia
  Published 2024-12-18
• Review: Propaganda - Propaganda
  Published 2024-12-17
• Review: Paul Hanson and Raze the Maze - Calliope
  Published 2024-12-16
• Review: Radio Massacre International - Galactic Furnace
  Published 2024-12-16
• Review: The Occasional Quintet - Recording Rites
  Published 2024-12-15
• Review: Thierry Zaboitzeff - Heat (Rough Mix)
  Published 2024-12-15
• Review: Keir Cooper + Eleanor Westbrook - Star Quality - Speculations for Guitar and Voice
  Published 2024-12-14
• Review: Astral Magic - End of Time, Mind Melt Machine, Strange Sensation & Secret Paths
  Published 2024-12-13
• Review: Actionfredag - Lys Fremtid i Mørke
  Published 2024-12-12
• Review: Paul Dunmall - Red Hot Ice
  Published 2024-12-12