The Laughing Chimes: Whispers In The Speech Machine [Album Review]

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The Laughing Chimes
Whispers In The Speech Machine
Slumerbland Records [2025]

“A bold evolution—Whispers in the Speech Machine expands The Laughing Chimes’ sound while staying true to their melodic roots.”

Album Overview: Formed by Athens, Ohio siblings Evan and Quinn Seurkamp, The Laughing Chimes began as a homegrown project inspired by classic jangle pop and underground influences. Their 2020 debut In This Town introduced their melodic songwriting, drawing comparisons to the ’80s college rock scene and New Zealand’s indie legacy. As they refined their craft, a series of singles and an EP for Slumberland helped expand their reach, leading to a shift in sound and lineup. Now a full band with Avery Bookman and Ella Franks, they push their music into new territory with their second album, Whispers in the Speech Machine. This record marks a significant step forward for The Laughing Chimes, embracing a richer, more layered approach. While their debut leaned on bright guitar tones and familiar indie pop structures, this album weaves a darker undercurrent into their sound. Expanding beyond their early influences, the band explores moodier textures, incorporating keyboards and broader instrumentation to create an album that feels more like a deliberate reinvention than a continuation.

Musical Style: The album blends shimmering guitar lines with brooding atmospheres, balancing crisp melodies with a weightier presence. Though rooted in jangle pop, the expanded instrumentation—including keyboards—adds depth, making room for cinematic moments. The interplay of light and shadow gives the music a hypnotic quality, bridging the gap between alternative indie pop and post-punk. The band’s ability to evoke a strong sense of place through sound sets them apart, favoring mood-driven arrangements over rigid genre constraints.

Evolution of Sound: Compared to their earlier material, Whispers in the Speech Machine trades some of the breezier, straightforward charm of In This Town for something more intricate. The shift from a duo to a full band has transformed their compositions, allowing them to craft songs with greater space and depth. By incorporating a broader range of influences—both in tone and darker instrumentation—the album moves into new terrain while maintaining their signature melodic sensibilities. The result is a record that doesn’t simply refine their sound but actively reshapes it.

Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of The Church’s atmospheric sweep, Echo & The Bunnymen’s tension-filled arrangements, and The Psychedelic Furs’ dramatic energy will find plenty to appreciate. The album also carries echoes of The Cure’s ability to turn melancholy into something compelling, while The Chills’ knack for melody remains a touchstone. Contemporary acts like RVG, Louse, and The Black Watch share a similar approach, capturing the essence of their influences while keeping it fresh.

Pivotal Tracks: “Cats Go Car Watching” sets the tone with its balance of melody and unease, immediately signaling a shift from their previous work. Originally featured on their 2022 Zoo Avenue EP, the song has been transformed with a deeper, more dramatic sound. “He Never Finished the Thought” introduces a sprawling range reminiscent of The Psychedelic Furs, with a keyboard presence that enhances the band’s impact. “High Beams” stands out as one of the record’s most urgent moments, driven by pulsing rhythms and a sense of forward motion. Each track feels purposeful, contributing to the album’s overarching mood rather than existing as a collection of disconnected songs.

Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on Whispers in the Speech Machine reflect a growing confidence in storytelling, capturing a landscape of memory, uncertainty, and faded grandeur. There’s a clear effort to evoke a sense of place, using imagery that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Final Groove: 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 LAUGHING CHIMES LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Slumberland Records

Christopher Anthony
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