Album Review: Laughter Pt I Laughter Pt II by The World (We Wish)
Alright, buckle up, because this one’s a trip. Laughter Pt I Laughter Pt II is the kind of album that feels like it was recorded in someone’s garage during a particularly wild acid trip—and honestly, that’s what makes it so damn charming. Released in 1969 on Cobblestone Records, this psychedelic rock gem from The World (We Wish) isn’t exactly polished, but man, does it have personality. Produced by Lou Adessa and conceptualized by Jerry Love, the record dives headfirst into the chaotic beauty of late ‘60s counterculture. And yeah, there are only two tracks—“Laughter Pt. I” and “Laughter Pt. II”—but trust me, they’re enough.
Let’s start with “Laughter Pt. I.” This track kicks off with a riff that sounds like your guitar teacher gave up halfway through explaining time signatures. But instead of being annoying, it’s oddly hypnotic. It’s messy, raw, and dripping with garage rock grit. You can practically hear the band sweating under neon lights somewhere in the US while trying to figure out if they’re making music or summoning some sort of cosmic entity. There’s this moment around the two-minute mark where everything seems to spiral out of control, like the instruments are arguing with each other, and yet… it works. It’s the auditory equivalent of tripping over your own feet but landing in a perfect pirouette.
Then there’s “Laughter Pt. II,” which takes the chaos up a notch—or maybe down a rabbit hole. If Part I felt like controlled anarchy, Part II is straight-up rebellion against structure. The drums sound like they were played by a guy who just discovered rhythm for the first time, and the vocals? Let’s just say pitch accuracy wasn’t their priority. But here’s the kicker—it doesn’t matter. By the end, you’re not even listening anymore; you’re experiencing. It’s less of a song and more of a fever dream set to fuzzed-out guitars. At one point, I swear I heard what sounded like someone laughing hysterically in the background, and now I can’t unhear it. Is it intentional? Who knows. Do I care? Not really, because it’s awesome.
What sticks with me about these tracks is how unapologetically weird they are. They don’t try to be anything other than themselves, flaws and all. In a world full of overproduced albums, Laughter Pt I Laughter Pt II reminds us that sometimes, imperfection is perfection. Sure, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re into psychedelic rock and garage vibes, this album will slap you upside the head and leave you grinning.
So, would I recommend this album? Absolutely—but only if you’re ready to embrace the chaos. Listening to Laughter Pt I Laughter Pt II feels like stepping into a time machine that breaks halfway through the journey, leaving you stranded in 1969 with nothing but a kaleidoscope and a headache. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful.
Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it the band broke up shortly after recording this masterpiece. Probably because they couldn’t handle the sheer genius (or madness) they’d unleashed upon the world. Either way, good on ‘em for going out with a bang—or should I say, a laugh.
