Laughing Stock: Life In Seven Dreams

Some albums grab you right away. Others ask for patience. This one barely even asks. It just sits there and drifts.

On Life In Seven Dreams, Laughing Stock take a sharp turn into darker and slower territory, leaving behind much of the energy that made their earlier work engaging. The mood is heavy from the start, built on soft piano lines, distant vocals, and long stretches that feel more like atmosphere than actual songs.

There is a clear influence from Pink Floyd, especially the early psychedelic days mixed with the colder, more reflective tone of The Final Cut. The band leans hard into textures and space, even bringing in some unusual sounds and instruments to color the background. On paper, that sounds interesting. In practice, it often feels like too much wandering and not enough direction.

To their credit, there are moments where things come together. “Summer’s End� offers a nice build with a haunting melody that finally gives you something to hold onto. “The House� adds a bit more structure and tension, showing what this album could have been with a little more focus.

But those moments are few. Most of the record moves at the same slow pace, with very little variation or payoff. It becomes more about sitting in a mood than experiencing a journey, and that mood can feel distant and even a bit draining over time.

There is no doubt this was a deliberate artistic choice. The band aimed for something deeper and more introspective. The problem is that in doing so, they left behind the hooks, the drive, and the spark that make you want to come back for another listen.

In the end, Life In Seven Dreams feels like a beautifully plated dish that forgot the seasoning. There is care and intention here, but not enough flavor to keep you engaged from start to finish… cheers!

Track listing
1. A Dream Within A Dream (1:06)
2. Summer’s End (5:45)
3. Not Today (4:04)
4. The House (4:37)
5. All The Strength (5:45)
6. The Fire (6:51)
7. We Look At The River (3:48)
8. From The Shadows (7:18)

Added: April 1st 2026
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Laughing Stock @ bandcamp
Hits: 99
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]