Laughter's Fifth
by Love As Laughter
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2005
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    90
    It's personal, it's cryptic, it's hilarious -- it's Laughter's Fifth, and Sam Jayne is definitely some kind of genius.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Jayne shrouds his more subversive content in Laughter's Fifth's tambourine-tapping, upbeat numbers. [May 2005, p.164]
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  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    The infusion of pop and blues has not only been done before, it’s also been done better.
  5. Junkmedia
    60
    Starting with track six, Laughter's Fifth verges on unstoppable.
  6. Lost At Sea
    80
    If you’re looking for a record whose smirk is as intoxicating as its smile, or one that proves that pop doesn’t have to be straight-laced to be delectable, Laughter’s Fifth should be sly enough to sneak its way into your favor.
  7. Neumu.net
    70
    Laughter's Fifth finds Jayne tracking back to a groovier, sillier time in rock 'n' roll, peeling back the rough riffs and celebrating the peace-and-love beat.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    A dollop of deliberately sloppy post-grad college rock. [23 Apr 2005, p.51]
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  9. No Ripcord
    100
    One of the best rock albums of the past twenty-five years.
  10. Pitchfork
    78
    The virtually quirk-free Laughter's Fifth settles nearly its entire weight onto Jayne's songwriting shoulders. Fortunately, however, it's a load Jayne sounds as if he was born to tote, and here he delivers what is undoubtedly his tightest, most satisfying batch of songs to date.
  11. PopMatters
    50
    Comes across as kinda dull.
  12. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Refreshingly, Love as Laughter doesn’t take itself too seriously: this is smart rock completely devoid of pretentiousness.
  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    Jayne is a lyricist with the cynical wit of a Stephen Malkmus, but rather than pointing that cynicism outward, he uses it to cut himself down a notch or two.
  14. Uncut
    80
    These are great, clever, slovenly rock songs. [May 2005, p.95]
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  15. Under The Radar
    80
    A perfect blend of raw butt-shaking anthems and guitar noise with Jayne's indie warble spouting out all sorts of lyrical wit and silliness. [#9]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    4
    Maybe I don't get it...but I this album is boring and lacks originality.
  2. matta
    Jul 8, 2005
    8
    Solid, dirty, indie rock sound, and In Amber and Dirty Lives are classics. Nothing ground-breaking here, but that's obviously not what Solid, dirty, indie rock sound, and In Amber and Dirty Lives are classics. Nothing ground-breaking here, but that's obviously not what they were going for. Great stuff.… Full Review »
  3. limejello
    Jun 22, 2005
    10
    How do you spell "wuu-hoooooo!" You will wear out this album and go back for more Woo-HOOOOOOOO!
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