The Laughing Chimes - Whispers In The Speech Machine

While there are still remnants of the Laughing Chimes' earlier jangle in the song's bright acoustic guitars and peppy tempo, the band's once-carefree vocal style is now more serious and pushed into a different space in the mix with a dark reverb treatment. The change is dramatic but not indicative of weaker material. "He Never Finished the Thought" has all the energy and songwriting personality that the band have always exhibited, only now they're leaning more into the influence of the Church or Echo & the Bunnymen, with chorus-soaked bass lines and yearning synth melodies informed by the Cure's best albums. "High Beams" is another stand-out track that doubles as an example of how the Laughing Chimes are still very much the same group even with this new direction. The song bounces along in a patchwork of nicely arranged hooks and dynamics, again riding high on waves of Cure-like synth melodies.

(All Music)

Whispers in the Speech Machine is a bold evolution for The Laughing Chimes, demonstrating their willingness to push beyond their early jangle pop roots. The album’s darker textures and expanded instrumentation create a more immersive listening experience without losing the melodic charm that first set them apart. By embracing reinvention, The Laughing Chimes prove they are more than a nostalgic throwback—they are a band with a future worth following.

(The Fire Note)