Laughing Stock: Shelter

Welcome back Laughing Stock, a Norwegian band whose roots date all the back to 1978 when a couple of future members met at a very young age. Fast forward to 2016 when the band officially formed and subsequently released their debut titled The Island in 2018. The band has continued to impress me, at least with the three releases I have heard thus far. Their latest album titled Shelter was released in 2024 and Laughing Stock continue to set a high bar within the progressive rock community.

The concept behind Shelter delves into an organization of the same name that provides a utopian alternate reality as a means to escape the stress and hectic lifestyle so often woven into modern society. Sounds like a good deal to me. Now on to the music.

The band’s progressive rock roots are inflected with elements of heavy rock, prog metal, folk, and experimental sounds. They use heavy and lighter sounds very effectively with atmospheric passages intertwined with heavy guitar with various twists and turns and shifting soundscapes. My attention never lapsed always wanting to hear where the music would take me next.

There are many great moments scattered throughout the disc including the lovely ballad “Memories� featuring ethereal trumpet work and the brilliant “The Flood� showcasing the band’s ability to diversify their sound alternating between atmospheric ambience and darker motifs with an intricate thread connecting both. Both songs feature the fabulous lead vocals of Tim Bowness (No-Man). “Roots Go Deep� belies its esoteric sound and is actually pretty friendly on the ears whereas the laid back “Radio�, featuring Gilmour-like lead guitar is like a breath of fresh air. The crunchy riffs and rhythmic groove in “A New Home�, the soaring lead guitar in “Waterfall� and the metal/atmospheric prog of “Sticks and Stones� are more highlights to sink your ears into.

Shelter is another excellent album from Laughing Stock that continues to delight over multiple spins. For progressive rock fans this is a no-brainer.

An Apollon Records’ release.

Track Listing:
1. A New Home (4:33)
2. Shelter (5:52)
3. Roots Go Deep (5:57)
4. In You (5:57)
5. Waterfall (2:37)
6. Sticks and Stones (6:08)
7. Radio (5:15)
8. The Flood (7:52)
9. Memories (3:56)

Added: December 14th 2025
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 74
Language: english

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