Description

Meg Hentges – Afterlaugh – Compact Disc

Afterlaugh is the debut solo album by Meg Hentges, released in 1998. Hentges, originally from Kansas City, gained recognition as a member of the Austin-based post-punk band Two Nice Girls, before embarking on a solo career that showcased her distinct blend of alternative rock, pop, and punk influences. Afterlaugh reflects her strong songwriting skills and emotive vocal delivery, with themes that explore personal reflection, relationships, and life’s complexities.

Known for her deep voice and introspective lyrics, Meg Hentges draws from a variety of musical influences, blending elements of folk, alternative rock, and 90s pop. ‘Afterlaugh’ captures these elements while maintaining an emotional core that gives the album a sense of authenticity and personal storytelling.

In 1992, Meg Hentges began recording as a solo artist, releasing an EP and a full length album on the Portland, OR indie label Tim/Kerr Records. It was a track from these sessions, an early version of the song ‘This Kind of Love,’ that attracted the unlikely attention of Cory Robbins. Co-founder of Profile Records who had discovered such rap superstars as Run-DMC, Rob Base and DJ Quik.

In searching for a producer that could bring out the best in Hentges, she and Robbins approached Adam Schlesinger, a member of the bands Fountains of Wayne and Ivy, who had also recently been nominated for an Academy Award for his title song of the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do. Schlesinger was so mesmerized by Hentges’ work that they began recording together. In Hentges’ songs, you can feel the influence of Patti Smith, Lou Reed and maybe a slight twist of ’80s rocker Pat Benatar. Hentges is a true student of pop music history, yet has managed to develop a voice that is unmistakably her own.

Afterlaugh consists of tracks that showcase Hentges’ lyrical depth and her ability to blend personal emotion with catchy rock melodies.

Afterlaugh’ is a reflection on relationships, personal struggles, and emotional growth. Hentges’ lyricism often touches on love, heartache, and introspection, with a balance of upbeat pop rock and more introspective ballads. The album reflects the sounds of late-90s alternative rock, with an emphasis on melody and straightforward guitar work, while Hentges’ vocal style lends a sense of gravity and authenticity to the material.

Her background in punk and post-punk is also evident in the album’s raw, unpolished edges, giving certain tracks a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. The album’s mixture of alternative rock, pop melodies, and introspective lyrics make it both accessible and deeply personal.

Afterlaugh did not achieve mainstream commercial success, it resonated with fans of alternative and indie music, who appreciated Hentges’ honest and introspective songwriting. The album helped establish her as a solo artist with a distinct voice, separate from her work with Two Nice Girls, and highlighted her ability to blend personal storytelling with accessible, catchy rock melodies.

For fans of 90s alternative rock and singer-songwriters who balance introspection with solid musicianship, ‘Afterlaugh’ remains a notable and heartfelt record.

Tim Kerr Records

Track Listing
1. Laziness Kills
2. I Still Get Up
3. High
4. Out Of Nowhere
5. Tip Of Her Tongue
6. Submission
7. When I Peaked
8. Woman Made Of Rubber, The
9. Guilt
10. Make Me Laugh