my first listen last night was quite disappointing. it sounded like background music. it didn't get to me at all. after the third spin of the cd i couldn't listen to anything else anymore. i love everything on it. all the instruments, esp. those spacious yet forceful drums, all the pauses, all the crescendoes and climaxes, mark hollis voice which changes from whisper to shout and resembles a lot peter gabriel's here. same kind of androgyny. there is so much to discover on that album. right now i have the feeling it could well be their richest.

i've always been partial to a bit of loungey stuff so the softness and underplayed feeling of it all never bothered me. i agree with everything else you said - it's all in the spaces.

I've only recently been able to sit down and listen to Laughing Stock all the way through. Definitely takes a few listens, but well worth it; wonderful music with great sense of space as you both say.