This Used To Be A Laugh

Cork four-piece Hope Is Noise’s This Used To Be A Laugh is a wonderfully raucous six-track effort that rivals Bruce Banner’s alter-ego in the unbridled rage stakes. Boasting a raw production and plenty of blood-thirsty riffs, on occasion the band’s brand of ‘90s-infused rock calls to mind a more primal Drive Like Jehu (‘Spinnst Du?’). Meanwhile, the likes of album opener ‘Das Ich,’ instrumental ‘Altitude Sickness’ and ‘All Love And Nothing’ (which sounds eerily reminiscent of Pearl Jam’s ‘State Of Love And Trust’ in parts) ensure that This Used To Be A Laugh leaves us wanting more. As it should be.