TOY - Join the Dots
With 2013 out of the way . . . ok I realise we are still in 2013 . . . I wanted to start up some reviews. First up is the new release from the Brighton based psych rock band Toy. This band typifies and really exhibits the best of modern British psych music . . . the kind of stuff you might hear on any given Psych Sunday at the Lexington.
I first picked up Toy last year when my friend sent over an a copy of their self-titled debut. The initial release had some killer songs, but a drone about it that I was afraid would pretty much turn believers off no matter what I said - the songwriting drowned emotionally with a dull thumping regular bass sound. In isolation, songs like Dead & Gone are as good as they get. Immediately upon inspection, the thought Black Rebel Motorcycle Club came to mind. This is a band that may build on you with songs that last the test of time, but it's not likely to impress at the outset.
On their second album, Toy spend a bit more time on their psych guitar sound and also have brought in some gimmickry on the hopes of capturing the feel of their live shows --- which I understand are a good bit of fun. There is something I'd call the Toy romp which is a steady long bobbing up and down paced bit of psychedelia that makes them fun and gives their music a distinct signature. It's what makes them rock. The issue for Toy has always been the roll . . . not the rock. And on this album, it seems a bit the same. Still a bit short of better noisy psych acts like A Place to Bury Strangers.
Highlights
The big hitter for me is the title track Join the Dots. This multi dimensional psych track starts slowly then explodes like a bomb using loads of jet engine guitars and super fast bass leads. This is the kind of music Toy was built to make - multi dimensional and powerful. I don't care how long the song is, they could play it on and onward, then on again. The best psych rock has this feel and this song counts in my mind. It has the romp, but there's so much more here this time. Get at least 4 minutes in before passing judgment. You won't want to miss that bit. This is a signature song for them and definitely will keep their live shows packed.
It's Been So Long reminds you how great this band is when put to paces. By ticking the meter up a level, you've got a Jesus and Mary Chain vibe going with a very danceable middle/end. They need more like this.
Too Far Gone to Know starts up as a slow track - clearly about being too high - then blips into a good Toy pace mid way through until it splinters into a Gary Numanesque keyboard dominated finishing job. Mildly experimental track for these guys as it has more than a few parts to it, but not really transcendent in their overall mix.
The albums final track, Fall Out of Love, initially sounds like it could have been a leftover from their first album but then brakes into a whole new vibe for them - choppy and strong music with no droning bass line followed by a solid Toy romper that just builds and builds to its finish. Again, you start to see in this track the future for Toy.
Also good
A couple of other good songs. You Won't be the Same and To A Death Unknown have distinct melodies reminiscent of the better works of The Replacements but slowed down to a Connor Oberst pace. Extremely enjoyable song writing here, although the lyrical content is a bit muted. Excellent guitar moments and breaks in both. Endlessly starts off as a weakened muted Cure song but manages to break its way into rarified air about midway turning it into a classic Toy swinger. Again the aerial psych guitar display bringing out the best in this band.
Lowlights
The real negative here is the filler tracks that seem designed for nothing and nowhere. They appear and create the impression of a band going through the motions and plum out of ideas. The worst of these, As We Turn, could be a tune used for a department store advertisement if not for psych guitar tricks. I also can't believe they used a boring instrumental like Conductor to open the album. Just nothing really to it. Left to Wonder is much too sappy with a weak early 80s keyboard 101 feel to it and a lazy guitar solo hurts my ears. Frozen Atmosphere is a lazy tasteful (read boring) Floydesque song that teases with a nice Cure like middle giving way to more lazy drone. Unlike the aforementioned dynamic tracks, this track lacks any coherent or interesting direction throughout.
Conclusion
Again, a band with SOOOOO much potential for creating something amazing. They have the skill to continually frame and reframe their music. But there's room to grow here. The filler is just not worth it and I get the feeling they just needed to get this album out for whatever reason. Its a bit unfortunate as the title track "Join the Dots" is just breathtaking and shows why so many, including myself, love this band.
Video for Join the Dots: Toy Join the Dots
With 2013 out of the way . . . ok I realise we are still in 2013 . . . I wanted to start up some reviews. First up is the new release from the Brighton based psych rock band Toy. This band typifies and really exhibits the best of modern British psych music . . . the kind of stuff you might hear on any given Psych Sunday at the Lexington.
I first picked up Toy last year when my friend sent over an a copy of their self-titled debut. The initial release had some killer songs, but a drone about it that I was afraid would pretty much turn believers off no matter what I said - the songwriting drowned emotionally with a dull thumping regular bass sound. In isolation, songs like Dead & Gone are as good as they get. Immediately upon inspection, the thought Black Rebel Motorcycle Club came to mind. This is a band that may build on you with songs that last the test of time, but it's not likely to impress at the outset.
On their second album, Toy spend a bit more time on their psych guitar sound and also have brought in some gimmickry on the hopes of capturing the feel of their live shows --- which I understand are a good bit of fun. There is something I'd call the Toy romp which is a steady long bobbing up and down paced bit of psychedelia that makes them fun and gives their music a distinct signature. It's what makes them rock. The issue for Toy has always been the roll . . . not the rock. And on this album, it seems a bit the same. Still a bit short of better noisy psych acts like A Place to Bury Strangers.
Highlights
The big hitter for me is the title track Join the Dots. This multi dimensional psych track starts slowly then explodes like a bomb using loads of jet engine guitars and super fast bass leads. This is the kind of music Toy was built to make - multi dimensional and powerful. I don't care how long the song is, they could play it on and onward, then on again. The best psych rock has this feel and this song counts in my mind. It has the romp, but there's so much more here this time. Get at least 4 minutes in before passing judgment. You won't want to miss that bit. This is a signature song for them and definitely will keep their live shows packed.
It's Been So Long reminds you how great this band is when put to paces. By ticking the meter up a level, you've got a Jesus and Mary Chain vibe going with a very danceable middle/end. They need more like this.
Too Far Gone to Know starts up as a slow track - clearly about being too high - then blips into a good Toy pace mid way through until it splinters into a Gary Numanesque keyboard dominated finishing job. Mildly experimental track for these guys as it has more than a few parts to it, but not really transcendent in their overall mix.
The albums final track, Fall Out of Love, initially sounds like it could have been a leftover from their first album but then brakes into a whole new vibe for them - choppy and strong music with no droning bass line followed by a solid Toy romper that just builds and builds to its finish. Again, you start to see in this track the future for Toy.
Also good
A couple of other good songs. You Won't be the Same and To A Death Unknown have distinct melodies reminiscent of the better works of The Replacements but slowed down to a Connor Oberst pace. Extremely enjoyable song writing here, although the lyrical content is a bit muted. Excellent guitar moments and breaks in both. Endlessly starts off as a weakened muted Cure song but manages to break its way into rarified air about midway turning it into a classic Toy swinger. Again the aerial psych guitar display bringing out the best in this band.
Lowlights
The real negative here is the filler tracks that seem designed for nothing and nowhere. They appear and create the impression of a band going through the motions and plum out of ideas. The worst of these, As We Turn, could be a tune used for a department store advertisement if not for psych guitar tricks. I also can't believe they used a boring instrumental like Conductor to open the album. Just nothing really to it. Left to Wonder is much too sappy with a weak early 80s keyboard 101 feel to it and a lazy guitar solo hurts my ears. Frozen Atmosphere is a lazy tasteful (read boring) Floydesque song that teases with a nice Cure like middle giving way to more lazy drone. Unlike the aforementioned dynamic tracks, this track lacks any coherent or interesting direction throughout.
Conclusion
Again, a band with SOOOOO much potential for creating something amazing. They have the skill to continually frame and reframe their music. But there's room to grow here. The filler is just not worth it and I get the feeling they just needed to get this album out for whatever reason. Its a bit unfortunate as the title track "Join the Dots" is just breathtaking and shows why so many, including myself, love this band.
Video for Join the Dots: Toy Join the Dots
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