Laughing Down Crying
Daryl Hall · 2011
44 min · 10 tracks · pop music
Soulful melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, showcasing a mature yet vibrant sound that reflects Daryl Hall's enduring artistry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Laughing Down Crying — The title track encapsulates the album’s emotional dichotomy, blending upbeat rhythms with reflective lyrics about life's challenges and resilience.
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Talking to You (Is Like Talking to Myself) — This track features a catchy chorus and showcases Hall's signature vocal style while exploring themes of introspection and connection.
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Lifetime of Love — With its romantic undertones and lush instrumentation, this song exemplifies Hall's ability to fuse heartfelt lyrics with soulful melodies.
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Eyes for You (Ain't No Doubt About It) — The song stands out for its infectious groove and confident lyrics, reflecting Hall's enduring appeal as a pop-soul artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow tempo and builds gradually, while the following tracks alternate between mid-tempo and upbeat rhythms.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective lyrics with soulful melodies
- smooth pacing for reflection
- emotional resonance in every track
- vibrant sound for mature listeners
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced music
- want purely upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2011, Laughing Down Crying marked Daryl Hall's first full-length studio album in over a decade, following his previous album, Can't Stop Dreaming, released in 2003. At this point in his career, Hall was revitalizing his solo work while still enjoying recognition from his influential tenure with Hall & Oates.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Oates· Michael McDonald· Hall & Oates
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Laughing Down Crying
The bridge shifts to an empowering declaration of overcoming struggles without dwelling on past pain.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Laughing Down Crying 4:13
- 2 Talking to You (Is Like Talking to Myself) 4:27
- 3 Lifetime of Love 3:50
- 4 Eyes for You (Ain't No Doubt About It) 5:36
- 5 Save Me 4:18
- 6 Message to Ya 4:17
- 7 Wrong Side of History (So Cold) 3:48
- 8 Get Out of the Way 5:01
- 9 Crash and Burn 4:47
- 10 Problem With You (Bone's Last Ride) 4:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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