Despite a pervasive rockcrit feeling to the contrary, jokes and grooves are more than enough on which to build a great record, even a great career. But we all know that an album like Sound of Silver doesn't escape its subculture, doesn't win the approval of this many rock critics of varying allegiances, without mixing in stuff like pain and fear and heartache and miscellaneous intangibles—usually at its own peril, especially when the artist is so adept at beats and laughs. more »