After years spent on indie-rock circuit, kicking out garage rock gems with the best of them, Love as Laughter have released a slightly quieter record that still shimmers with all the lo-fi intensity of their early releases (think Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch’s country-fied solo records meets early White Stripes). The bluesy, acoustic-guitar-filled Laughter’s Fifth has this formerly west coast band having some truly New York-style adventures.
Lead singer Sam Jayne, accompanied by Brandon Angle on bass and Zeke Howard on drums, relocated from the muddy banks of Seattle to the gritty shores of the Empire State in 2004. Jayne has taken much inspiration from his current surroundings with exuberant choruses like, “I got it on Canal Street!” and songs covering unsentimental topics like “shallow graves and topless bodies.”
Which is not to say that there aren’t some very sweet songs off Laughter’s Fifth. On “I Won’t Hurt You,” Jayne croons to a lover, “You’re an untouched diamond…I’ll take a spaceship and try to find you.” He says he’s “been to paradise and out the other side,” and from the combination of weariness and longing in his voice, you believe him.
Laughter’s Fifth comes out on April 26th. Look for Love As Laughter to play several club dates in their new hometown; they’ll be in and around the New York City area for the next month or so.
