The year of 1991 in music is mostly known for its introduction of popular grunge music from Nirvana's Nevermind and hip-hop was taking a turn for the best with A Tribe Called Quest's jazz influenced album The Low End Theory to establish the genre "alternative rap". But, underneath all this genre-defining albums, one band was lost in all the fuss. Talk Talk released their fifth and final studio album Laughing Stock, the definite album that is the starting point of the very diverse genre "post-rock".
Laughing Stock starts out with a very ambient landscape of a guitar chord which translate the rest of the song, "Myrrhman". The influence of Miles Davis's ambient jazz masterpiece In a Silent Way is plastered all throughout "Myrrhman". On the second song of Laughing Stock, "Ascension Day", Talk Talk explores more of a progressive driving force with very abrasive guitar parts and industrial style drumming. Though the drumming may sound repeptitive, it defines a very simplistic and effective way to keep the rhythm in check for the chaotic parts.
On "After the Flood", Talk Talk takes a more groovy feel to their style with organ parts that sound straight out of classic R&B songs. Mark Hollis's vocals sound earnest and tangled up within riddles; "Spurning step by step/Blame something else/Thirsting/Within without/Sighted/Weeded/How they run/Slain in number". Hollis reaches the climax of the song with such integrity that you feel the rush run down your body and you can't help but give "After the Flood" another listen.
"Taphead" introduces more elements of In a Silent Way with the piercing chords of Harmon muted trumpets and very bluesy guitar lines. "Taphead" is probably the most ambient song on Laughing Stock that never truly builds up, but does promise much on the next track, "New Grass". Drummer Lee Harris takes on a more jazzy swing pattern on "New Grass" which transcribes beautifully with the very delicate piano part and occasional viola parts.
The finale to the album is probably Talk Talk's most challenging and delicate piece on Laughing Stock. The very bluesy slide guitar is alone with the occasional piano chord and singing. The only disappointment towards "Runeii" is how short it is.
Laughing Stock's lyrics are very religious and filled with riddles. "Faith one path/And the second in fear/A half wit am I read," coos Hollis on opening track "Myrrhman" with such a touch in his style of singing that is so delicate. The musical style that Talk Talk takes on is so genre-crossing that it makes for such an interesting experience. Jazz, ambient, progressive rock, experimental and art rock all make up for Talk Talk's style. Nowadays, that describes perfectly what post-rock is. With post-rock artists like Sigur Ros, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions In the Sky, they have all have influence towards Talk Talk's Laughing Stock.
The number one disappointment of Laughing Stock is how short it is. Only clocking in at about 42 minutes, it may be a bit short for a post-rock album. Laughing Stock immerses you into its sound, but then disappears just as fast as fast at it came. But, that might honestly might make this album so good. The mystery of the whole thing is what makes Laughing Stock interesting.
Overall: 9.3/10
Track Listing:
1. Myrrhman - 9.5
2. Ascension Day - 9.5
3. After the Flood - 9.5
4. Taphead - 9.0
5. New Grass - 9.0
6. Tuneii - 9.5
Sample:
"Ascension Day"
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