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The Art Of A Fake Laugh album art

The Art Of A Fake Laugh - HummusVacuum

RATING: 8/10

Genre: Pop-punk, easycore, emo
Runtime: 34 mins
Tracks: 11

Album review
I cannot think of another album where it is so clear through its every facet that the people making it were having a good time. Catchy, self aware, cheerful, and overall just a great fun. At multiple times, lyrics directly reference what is happening in the arrangement (my favorite being "I'm prescribing you 30mg of key change" before a key change in the final chorus of Lexapro Skater) which is very entertaining to me as a musician. This album certainly isn't treading any new ground, but that isn't really the point. Its here to have fun, and on that promise it certainly delivers.

Favorite Tracks: The Claw Machine Is Rigged Anyway, Lexapro Skater, Tattletale, Salt & Vinegar

For Fans Of: Blink-182, Hot Mulligan, Sum 41

Track by track:
TwoBells: Works well enough as an opener, but not one I would revisit. Starts slower, jumps in intensity later on. Works well enough to open the album but not particularly memorable beyond that.
Clown On A Blender: Energetic and catchy riffs, does a great job of setting the vibe for the rest of the album.
Whoops! (I Think I Ruined My Life): Fun pop-punk instamentals. Strongest point are the lyrics singing about being broke and sucking up to rich kids to make ends meet.
The Claw Is Rigged Anyway: The arrangement goes so crazy on this one. Riffs are technical yet catchy as hell. The chorus is awesome, the vocal hook interweaves with the chugging rhythm guitar and tweedly lead in such a fun way.
Lexapro Skater: Pure catchy pop-punk in the riffs. The lyrics are good as well, and the chorus is realy and fun to sing along to.
Tattletale: Fast and punchy right off the bat. Full of energy and catchy riffs to boot, its impossible not to dance along (at least for me)
Humanifesto: Heavy and intense. Its just a hardcore song, yet still retains that HummusVacuum air to it.
Salt & Vinegar: "I don't have to respect your opinion at all" delivered with cheer during the chorus really embodies the song. Its happy, upbeat, (until the sick breakdown at the end), extremely catchy song about recognizing that not all opionions are deserving of respect.
G-U-I-L-L-O-T-I-N-E: Similar to the previous song in vibes, it cheerfully reminding the listener the spelling of one of history's favorite anti-oligarch machines. Catchy and self aware as ever.
Big Bummin': Bouncy riffs fill this song tackling a failed relationship.
I Know A Shortcut: Works well enough as a closer, overstays its welcome a bit. Its not bad per say, but while listening to it I wish I was listening to the other songs on this album that are like this but better.