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The Stan Laurels / Press

“I don’t want just to compare bands to other bands, but with their power-pop, surf sensibility and nods to 60s psychedelia, think Fountains of Wayne and you’ll likely know where you stand with The Stan Laurels. If I Walked With The Dead couldn’t sound much more like FoW if it had been written by Messrs Collingwood and Schlesinger themselves. To be clear, this is a good thing. There is an overarching feel of darkness in the music, though, and head Laurel John Lathrop is prepared to stray a little from the the alt-pop formula, as the sprawling 'Darkening Skies' and asymmetric 'Samaanya' demonstrate. If this is surf music, the water is cold and the skies are cloudy, and it’s all the better for it.”

“Apart from having one of the best band names I have heard in ages, The Stan Laurels have Big Star-Beach Boy harmonies, jingly-jangle guitar and 60’s California written all over them. This is no bad thing. Echoes of Wilco side project The Autumn Defense and possibly Ben Folds on piano all culminated in a band that gives you the feel of lovely afternoon sunshine.”

“Nothing about the Stan Laurels is obvious. The one-man studio project of John Lathrop, Death of the Sun radiates tightly wound layers of pop and psych that bend the Zombies into the Flaming Lips, a surprisingly rich sound orchestrated solo.”

“I'm sure that anyone who listens to Death of The Sun, the fine new album from The Stan Laurels, will think of the word “Beatle-esque” and perhaps speak it out loud ...”

“A slice of psychedelia that will drag your mind in and never let go... You know where this album is heading right from the first shimmer and jangle of the opening chords. But this is way more than a 60's pastiche. The songwriting nods to the Beatles, Brian Wilson and the Zombies are clear, but the sheer beauty and complexity of the arrangements take this album to a place far greater than the sum of it's individual parts and influences.”

“Instant Classic! Do you enjoy melodic psychedelic pop songs with strong 60s/70s hooks that still somehow sounds brand new? Do you like The Beatles, Apples In Stereo, The Zombies, The Olivia Tremor Control, or The Beach Boys, circa 'SMiLE'? Then don't wait - just buy this album now. I promise you won't be disappointed.”

“The Stan Laurels shine in their debut album and leave us wanting more. The music is a combination of The Beatles, The Flaming Lips, Yes, and The Zombies, but done is such a way that the end result is a unique and fresh sound that is complex and effortless at the same time.”