Two Kinds of Laughter

Amazon.com
Quirky and perky, Sara Hickman cooks up a stew with so many ingredients that it threatens to boil over. The title track itself offers thoughtful lyrics, a danceable rhythm, odd melodic turns, and even a funky piano break. Catchy pop hooks accompany tinges of country-rock crunch, delicate acoustic guitars, and synthesized, horn-blaring marches. Vocally, Hickman can produce high-pitched squeals as easily as throaty moans. Producer Adrian Belew, an eclectic sort himself, tries to hold it all together as Hickman intelligently discusses hope and depression, and the intricacies of human relationships. The fact that Hickman can't choose between blind optimism and unwarranted cynicism makes for a compelling lyrical theme. Unfortunately, she also can't seem to decide on a comfortable musical forum, working hard to create vivid moods before jerking you out of them. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Two Kinds Of Laughter
Take Whatever I Can Get
I Wear The Crown
Coolness By Mistake
Eight
Secret Family
Look At It This Way
Optimistic Fool
One In Our Happiness
E Cosi Desio Me Mena
Comets Over Costa Rica
Let Go

Amazon.com

Quirky and perky, Sara Hickman cooks up a stew with so many ingredients that it threatens to boil over. The title track itself offers thoughtful lyrics, a danceable rhythm, odd melodic turns, and even a funky piano break. Catchy pop hooks accompany tinges of country-rock crunch, delicate acoustic guitars, and synthesized, horn-blaring marches. Vocally, Hickman can produce high-pitched squeals as easily as throaty moans. Producer Adrian Belew, an eclectic sort himself, tries to hold it all together as Hickman intelligently discusses hope and depression, and the intricacies of human relationships. The fact that Hickman can't choose between blind optimism and unwarranted cynicism makes for a compelling lyrical theme. Unfortunately, she also can't seem to decide on a comfortable musical forum, working hard to create vivid moods before jerking you out of them. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

many kinds of love.......2005-12-13

an energetic, uplifting and emotionally stirring release that made me an instant fan. Like another seminal songwriter/musician who makes the songs truly come to life in a live setting (Jeffrey Gaines), Sara Hickman is an absolute joy and enduring triumph.

Buy the discs, see her live and share the joy!

Those of you perhaps put off by her kids albums, thinking that she is only a "family artist," will be pleasantly surprised. Her nighttime show has plenty of adult appeal! She is humorous, full of passion and exceptionally talented.

What a wonderful folk artist, especially live!.......2001-08-10

I first heard one of Sara's songs on the radio, called in to get her name and went out and bought this CD. Wow! What an amazing clear voice! Since she is a Texas artist, she plays live at a local pub here in Houston pretty often so I went for my birthday. She is even better in a live setting and a wonderful, giving personality. She is very funny and free-spirted and always includes and encourages the crowd.

I have gone on and bought several more of her CDs and have seen her live again but this particular CD is my favoite out of all of them (although the rest are good too). My favorite song is "She Wears the Crown" but I also really enjoy "Take Whatever I Can Get" (the one I heard on the radio).

As I've said, her voice is very pure and clear and her songs are very fresh and original. There is no one else who sounds like Sara! I also enjoy her music becasue it is not bogged down in too much production. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

Sara Hickman Two Kinds Of Laughter.......2001-02-01

I have almost all of Sara's CDs, I bought this one from amazon.com a couple of weeks ago. Let me just say this CD is fabulous!! I heard "Take Whatever I Can Get" and I had to have this CD. This CD is a gem, it's definitely worth buying!!All of Sara's CDs are absolutely excellent, but this one really takes the prize for one of the most played CDs I own!! the first track "Two Kinds Of Laughter" is beautiful, amd positive. The second track "Take Whatever I Can Get" is really rocking! other tracks ogems on this impressive CD are: "I Wear the Crown" "Coolness By Mistake" "Look At It This Way" "Eight" "Secret Family" "Let Go" "Comets Over Costa Rica" "Optimistic Fool" has a beat, and "One In Our Happiness" is a great love song!! this CD is definitely worth the money and you will listen to it constantly as I do! buy it now!! Sara's guitar playing is superb, and so is that magical voice of hers that can stop time!!

Another Outstanding Album.......1998-12-30

Every time a new album comes out, I have a hard time deciding which one I like best--they are all fabulous! I used to see Sara Hickman live when I lived in Dallas--years ago when she played with a group called "The Cheese"--I loved her then...and I love her now! I just hope she keeps the music coming!

Her most consistent and beautifully complex album........1998-12-11

Sara Hickman has been delivering solid, melodic, folk-pop-rock that is often both amusing and poignant since 1989's "Equal Scary People." This solid collection, produced by King Crimson's other guitar maestro Adrian Belew, leads the listner on a slippery trip that celebrates the magic innocence of youth and plumbs the depths of dispair when love just kind of disappears. Ms. Hickman presents these observations through a mature, clear, and well-focused eye. The arrangements are rich in complexity yet hummable. Repeated playings yield previously hidden jems of melody and bittersweet irony. Sadly, this is another remarkable artist that you will not hear on the radio (unless you call your local public radio station with a request). Buy the record (or buy two and give one to a good friend)and see her live if she plays anywhere in your time zone. I promise you will be richly rewarded with an unforgettable experience on both counts.

Music Album:

Music Album