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Despite their frequent label of jungle-pop, the Laughing has all the makings of a progressive rock band. At their core, there is heavy percussion passively aided by keyboard and able bass, and, most importantly, a strong lead guitar that frequently digresses into guitar rants typical of the genre. Separated from this often doomed-from-the-start formula of normalcy is the jungle elements that throw them loosely under the label of “tropical”. Although it can be taken too far at times, the local quartet’s first full-length album, Fever, is a jungle playground that is neatly executed with a dangerously typical backing.
“Elevators” kicks off the album with a power-pop punch packed with Congo percussion. Playful, “oohing” choruses reminiscent of that certain brand of feel good alternative rock of the 90s snake through the vocals of a rather dramatic Logan Middleton. A faint glockenspiel tinkling and handclaps back the Congo in its organic aims, taking it beyond a simple guitar jam. “Elevators” melts into the sinister next track, “Killer”, which awkwardly matches an overly-enthusiastic congos with a Roky Erickson brand of foreboding organ chords. The feel is then completely abandoned for a moment with an organ intro fit for the most enthusiastic twee-pop in “Runner”. The song is climaxed with yet another gaudy guitar solo, making it all too clear where the Laughing’s focus lies.
Fever hits its stride with standout track “Help Me”. Handclaps and shakers lead in an echoing guitar and a bright ukulele, all swirling together in a sweet pop song. “Help Me” does the best job of fusing together the different elements rather than having obvious and, at its worst, very apparent layers of influence. Junglesque calls from Middleton and the rest of the band still fill instrumental interludes, giving coherence to the theme. The title track “Fever” also stands out on the record, with all the seriousness and veneer a title track should demand. The tight frenzy of bass, guitar, and drums is penetrated by organ and synthesizer trills that loosen the sound from its rigid and quickly formed tendency.
Although successfully breaking out of a much used mold, the Laughing either faithfully sticks to their stylistic choices to the point of sounding repetitive or cuts them completely, which is a jarring experience in an album where songs could easily be mistaken for each other. The common thread through all of the compositions, however, is Middleton’s skilled guitar work, which is all too heavily showcased time after time. Fever is at its best when the band stops trying to focus too much on a singular instrument and combines the effective nuances that currently serve as ornaments rather than part of the outfit.
Mp3 from Fever:
Runner
Websites:
http://wearethelaughing.com
Myspace
