Notes

Toadies - Play Rock Music
Remember this band?... It appeared like the Toadies ruled air waves within the mid 90's, after the release of Rubberneck in 1994. One song off that album, "Possum Kingdom," has even achieved somewhat cult status in recent times with new generations. Every song on that album was great, and then they just disappeared. Interscope records place the kabosh on their own follow up album "Feeler," which finally saw the light of day really.
One of the things I always liked one of the most regarding the Toadies was the dark undertones inside their music. I have frequently heard the Toadies called "alt-rock," nonetheless they really defy most labels. Part grunge, part heavy drinking bar band, part west Texas/ZZ Top boogie, there is lots to like about this band.
Well, the band from Fort Worth, Texas is back again. This time with .Music. The band has stated in interviews which they felt more freedom recording this record than some other, that's great news for people, because Toadies would be better if they're unbridled and doing what they do best.
The album starts out with "Rattler's Revival," an excellent rockin' opener that helped me very optimistic concerning the remaining portion of the tracks. I was further rewarded using the next song, "Low." This is the most popular for the album, a loud guitar rocker that produces you want to push the pedal down while your driving. This song has pumping guitar and rock steady drumming that goes back and forth from bass line only breaks, to dual guitar down strumming. Songs for the album like "Magic Bullet" and "Epic Castles" maintain your tempo and energy up.
"Summer with the Strange" has that dark feel, and it is about losing control/hold. Lots of whining guitar and rumbling bass lines throughout.
The closest you can "Possum Kingdom" on this release would have to be "Beside You." https://www.paulthepossumcatcher.com.au/ which says even though "you don't truly know me," that "I'll be closer than you know."
"Sunshine" is really a twisted ballad, and another track which takes you back to Rubberneck, this time around reminding me very much 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, such as 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 your Good Man" is really a less serious song that is certainly filled with jerky guitar and call and response versus. The chorus switches into a Rollins Band type slow, driving groove... "It's so hard to become a man, becoming a good man."
Another style stick out is "We Burned the City Down." This track is a full blown Texas blues/boogie track, full of slide guitar. The theme is often a nihilistic commentary current living, "no longer slaves to modern ways" we burned the location down...
The album ends with the slowest song (the only real slow song... ) around the album, "The Appeal." At over six minutes, additionally it is the longest around the album. This track features some chorus effect guitar, as well as a bluesy backbeat. But don't worry, there are a few good build ups, but it never goes over the most notable like the rest of the album. You almost have to have the rest as soon as you can this track.
At the conclusion in the day, it is deemed an overall impressive release. .Music. could have easily been the check in to Rubberneck in the 90's. I guess what I'm saying is niagra can be a Toadies album, a real one. Although it could be the 5th release, it's IMHO by far essentially the most vibrant and handle good article they've put out since their debut. It's nice to get a good rock and roll album come out, it appears as though that seldom happens anymore.
Here's my website: https://www.paulthepossumcatcher.com.au/