Toy Soldiers - Whisper Down The Lane
2010, MAD Dragon Records
What started out as a joke turned serious. Toy Soldiers was an outlet for Ron Gallo and Mike Baurer, but the band quickly grew to eight members, all dedicated to creating and fleshing out a DIY sound that’s infectious but not from the same tree as modern pop. Toy Soldiers signed with Drexel University’s MAD Dragon Records in early 2010, and will release their debut album, Whisper Down The Lane, on May 18, 2010.
Whisper Down The Lane opens with "Throw Me Down", a solid mix of old school R&B and Garage Rock. Toy Soldiers feature two vocalists prominently. Gallo is dynamic with an eclectic sound that's memorable. FLV has a big, powerful voice that can croon and coo right up to the moment she blows you out of the room. The song is very catchy with a classic call-and-response chorus; the net effect is just a bit messy but fun. "Hard Times" is lively rock n roll with a distinctive mid-1960's feel. Toy Soldiers capture a bit of The Beatles sound on "Love Ya Like I Love Ya", a catchy tune you'll find yourself hitting the repeat button on. Kate Foust gets to show her full range on "Be Right Here", showing off a voice that's both supple and powerful in a tune that also features great messy rock guitar.
Toy Soldiers hit their apex on "When I Tripped Into You", a vibrant rock n roll love song. Gallo is mournful because he's lost his great love, but still revels in the moment it all began. The song is a bit lyrically busy at times but is a fun listen. Toy Soldiers return to the classic R&B sound for "Loaded On Sunday" and keep the vibe going with quasi-Stax style horns on "Myself: Repeated". Whisper Down The Lane closes with "Which Way Waltz", a rambling tune that means well and serves as a decent if unspectacular tie-together of an album that celebrates a loose and fun musical style.
Whisper Down The Lane is a solid effort from Toy Soldiers. Listeners may be left with the impression that Toy Soldiers may be more impressive live than in the studio; the band gives the impression of one that is more interested in enjoying what they're doing than nailing down every detail in the studio. It's a refreshing approach in a day and age when every note tends to analyzed and often modified by computer programs and over-zealous producers.
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
2010, MAD Dragon Records
What started out as a joke turned serious. Toy Soldiers was an outlet for Ron Gallo and Mike Baurer, but the band quickly grew to eight members, all dedicated to creating and fleshing out a DIY sound that’s infectious but not from the same tree as modern pop. Toy Soldiers signed with Drexel University’s MAD Dragon Records in early 2010, and will release their debut album, Whisper Down The Lane, on May 18, 2010.
Whisper Down The Lane opens with "Throw Me Down", a solid mix of old school R&B and Garage Rock. Toy Soldiers feature two vocalists prominently. Gallo is dynamic with an eclectic sound that's memorable. FLV has a big, powerful voice that can croon and coo right up to the moment she blows you out of the room. The song is very catchy with a classic call-and-response chorus; the net effect is just a bit messy but fun. "Hard Times" is lively rock n roll with a distinctive mid-1960's feel. Toy Soldiers capture a bit of The Beatles sound on "Love Ya Like I Love Ya", a catchy tune you'll find yourself hitting the repeat button on. Kate Foust gets to show her full range on "Be Right Here", showing off a voice that's both supple and powerful in a tune that also features great messy rock guitar.
Toy Soldiers hit their apex on "When I Tripped Into You", a vibrant rock n roll love song. Gallo is mournful because he's lost his great love, but still revels in the moment it all began. The song is a bit lyrically busy at times but is a fun listen. Toy Soldiers return to the classic R&B sound for "Loaded On Sunday" and keep the vibe going with quasi-Stax style horns on "Myself: Repeated". Whisper Down The Lane closes with "Which Way Waltz", a rambling tune that means well and serves as a decent if unspectacular tie-together of an album that celebrates a loose and fun musical style.
Whisper Down The Lane is a solid effort from Toy Soldiers. Listeners may be left with the impression that Toy Soldiers may be more impressive live than in the studio; the band gives the impression of one that is more interested in enjoying what they're doing than nailing down every detail in the studio. It's a refreshing approach in a day and age when every note tends to analyzed and often modified by computer programs and over-zealous producers.
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more about Toy Soldiers at wordpress.toysoldiers.com. Whispher Down The Lane is due out on May 18. 2010. Amazon.com offers both CD and digital versions. Digital copies are also available through iTunes.
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