Remember this band?... It appeared like the Toadies ruled the environment waves within the mid 90's, following your launch of Rubberneck in 1994. One song off that album, "Possum Kingdom," has even achieved somewhat cult status in recent years with new generations. Every song on that album was great, and then they just disappeared. Interscope records position the kabosh on their follow up album "Feeler," which finally saw the light of day really.
One of what I always liked essentially the most regarding the Toadies was the dark undertones of their music. https://www.paulthepossumcatcher.com.au/ have frequently heard the Toadies called "alt-rock," however they really defy most labels. Part grunge, part heavy drinking bar band, part west Texas/ZZ Top boogie, there is a lot to like about this band.
Well, this guitar rock band from Fort Worth, Texas is back again. This time with .Music. The band has said in interviews that they can felt more freedom recording this record than any other, that's good news for all of us, because the Toadies might be best when they are unbridled and doing their business best.
The album starts with "Rattler's Revival," a fantastic rockin' opener that helped me very optimistic in regards to the other tracks. I was further rewarded with all the next song, "Low." This is my personal favorite about the album, a loud guitar rocker that produces you need to push the pedal down while your driving. This song has pumping guitar and rock steady drumming that starts back and forth from bass line only breaks, to dual guitar down strumming. Songs around the album like "Magic Bullet" and "Epic Castles" keep your tempo and up.
"Summer in the Strange" has that dark feel, which is exactly about losing control/hold. Lots of whining guitar and rumbling bass lines throughout.
The closest you get to "Possum Kingdom" with this release would need to be "Beside You." A creepy song saying despite the fact that "you don't fully realize me," that "I'll continually be closer than you know."
"Sunshine" is often a twisted ballad, and another track that can take you back to Rubberneck, this time reminding me greatly of "I Burn." A slower tempo song using a rumbling bass line that builds into Vaden Todd Lewis's trademark singing/screaming. The whole song keeps building and pulling back, much like the New York Dolls classic "Frankenstein."
The song "Animals" is the one other classic sounding Toadies tune, about our primal human urge. It's another rocker that repeats "Tonight we're just two animals." Lots of tempo switches as well as a booming chorus.
"Laments of a Good Man" can be a less serious song that's filled up with jerky guitar and call and response versus. The chorus switches into a Rollins Band type slow, driving groove... "It's so faithfully to become man, to be a good man."
Another style stick out is "We Burned the City Down." This track is really a full blown Texas blues/boogie track, detailed with slide guitar. The theme can be a nihilistic commentary current living, "no longer slaves to modern ways" we burned town down...
The album ends while using slowest song (the only real slow song... ) for the album, "The Appeal." At over six minutes, additionally it is the longest about the album. This track features some chorus effect guitar, plus a bluesy backbeat. But don't worry, there are some good build ups, however it never goes over the very best much like the other album. You almost need the rest when you are free to this track.
At the conclusion with the day, it is deemed an overall impressive release. .Music. would have easily been the followup to Rubberneck during the 90's. I guess what I'm saying are these claims can be a Toadies album, a true one. Although it is 5th release, it really is IMHO by far the most vibrant and complete piece of content they've put out since their debut. It's nice to experience a good rock 'n roll album turn out, it appears as though that seldom happens anymore.
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