Album: Laminar Flow

Introduction
"Laminar Flow" is a studio album by legendary American singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, released in 1979 as his 23rd album. Produced by Clayton Ivey, Terry Woodford, and Roy Orbison himself, the album is an exceptional record that showcases Orbison's unique singing style and songwriting capabilities. The title, "Laminar Flow", describes the smooth, flowing movement of a fluid, which is an apt description of Orbison's mellifluous voice and the album's total noise.

Background and Production
Following a series of individual losses and expert setbacks in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Roy Orbison made a return to music with the release of his 1977 album, "Regeneration". Following its moderate success, Orbison aspired to capitalize on the newfound momentum and began dealing with "Laminar Flow" with producers Clayton Ivey and Terry Woodford.

The album was taped at the famous Wishbone Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a storied place that had been the birth place of various traditional soul and rock albums. Despite being an established figure in the music industry, this was Orbison's very first time taping at the famed studio. This change of surroundings brought a new energy to the album, both in regards to production and musical style.

Release and Reception
"Laminar Flow" was released in late 1979 under the label Asylum Records. The album consists of ten tracks, all penned or co-written by Orbison, and includes a mix of original product and covers of modern songs. The lead single, "Easy Way Out", an appealing pop-rock tune, received moderate airplay and charted modestly. The follow-up songs, "Warm Spot Hot" and "Hound Dog Man", however, did not perform as well commercially.

The crucial reception of "Laminar Flow" was mixed, with some critics praising Orbison's signature vocal design and classic noise, while others found the album's production and song choices to be underwhelming compared to his earlier works. However, the album did get praise for Orbison's ability to adjust to the developing musical landscape of the late 1970s and incorporate disco, country, and soul components into his distinctive noise.

Significant Tracks
Some standout tracks on "Laminar Flow" consist of the upbeat opener, "Easy Way Out", which includes a driving rhythm and appealing chorus, and "Hound Dog Man", a cover of the traditional song by Elvis Presley that pays tribute to Orbison's rock n' roll roots. Another highlight is "Love Is a Cold Wind", a moody ballad that showcases Orbison's expressive vocal shipment over a slow, bluesy backing track.

Tradition
Although "Laminar Flow" did not attain the same business success as Roy Orbison's earlier albums, it stays a crucial work that shows his long-lasting flexibility and skill as a songwriter and entertainer. The album's distinct blend of styles and the willingness to explore brand-new sounds throughout a transitional period in popular music assists strengthen Orbison's place as one of the most iconic and prominent artists of the 20th century.

In the years following "Laminar Flow", Roy Orbison would go on to accomplish a resurgence in appeal during the 1980s due to his subscription in the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys and the release of his final solo album, "Mystery Girl". With a profession spanning over 3 decades, Roy Orbison's influence on music can be heard in the countless artists he influenced, making "Laminar Flow" an important part of this impressive musical tradition.