Peter Laughner
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When Koolie Records issued Peter Laughner in 1982, it seemed like little more than an indulgence. Laughner had not yet amassed the cult following he would after his music began to bear its influence in the late '80s and early '90s (when Laughner songs were covered by Guns N' Roses and Living Colour) and he was a virtual unknown outside the Cleveland music scene. As a result, it sold poorly and was quickly forgotten. By 1993, when T/K Records issued its own Laughner anthology (which includes all but three tracks on this disc), Peter Laughner had become an expensive collector's item. Its value is questionable, however, since it is rather short and wildly uneven. Sometimes Laughner's influences are far too obvious, such as on "Sylvia Plath," which is little more than a blatant rewrite of Dylan's "Desolation Row." The acoustic blues shuffle "Rag Mama" is equally derivative. It's really on the extended live guitar rave-ups by his band, Friction, "Dear Richard" and "Hideaway," that his talent shines. Unfortunately, the disc focuses on his folk compositions, which are not as distinctive as his rock songs. The inclusion of "Dinosaur Lullaby," an acoustic guitar doodle that lasts less than a minute, is especially pointless. Had the disc included more from the Friction show, or perhaps some rare Rocket From the Tombs songs, it really would have made a case for Laughner's neglected artistry. As it stands, it's really little more than a complement to the far superior T/K set. Victor W. Valdivia, All Music Guide Tracks:
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Peter Laughner|
Member Of: Pere Ubu Rocket from the Tombs More >> Similar Artists: Television More >> | Influenced By: Lou Reed More >> Followers: Dead Boys Death of Samantha More >> |
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