THE TOADS give something back. Who wants a review?

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:44 am

Hello.

Since joining UBW all we've done is ask, ask, ask.

Now it's time to repay that debt.

There are five of us in The Toads and we want to review you.

We promise to be honest and fair. All we ask is for you to have a listen

Who's first?

Cheers The Toads

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:25 am

hey guys... nice idea... Cool

most of us are the same mate... ask ask beg...lol... ill always apprieciate a review and on average churn out 1 a week in the song review thread... Laughing

at the minute my solo project has got alot more momentem at the moment, weve had a change of personel in the band and quite honestly dont sound anything like that any more...lol... so if you do review id probably steer clear of that stuff (until we get new stuff up that is... Laughing

)

anyways, hope you enjoy the site, cant wait to hear more stuff from you... Cool

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:34 am

Ok mate. Will have a listen to your solo stuff a bit later and get something posted.

Cheers Jon Toad

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:14 pm

A burst of alien-esque radio static precedes the entry of a pounding, yet strangely soothing and hypnotic beat followed by a recurring string ostinato which gives the track just a hint of Mercury Rev like wistfulness.

Bursts of staccato distorted guitar gunfire backed by counterpoint melodic fretwork interrupt and take us through to the song's climax.

"Chu, Wit u, With you..." cleverly blends the anger and aggression of the drums and distorted guitar with the sense of longing and, perhaps, regret introduced by the strings and underlying, more restrained guitar.

This is not a track which grabbed me on my first listen, but is a real grower and by the third or fourth play had me hooked with the 5m31s running time seeming far less. There is more to discover as one delves deeper.

Would it be improved with vocals or rapping as Paul suggests? I am not sure. Perhaps a few choice vox pops might add more focus, but to be honest I'm pretty happy as it stands.

Music: 7.5/10
Performance: 9/10
Production: 9/10

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:04 am

a very in depth review there guys...lol... thanks for checking my stuff out!!!

check back regular and you could be the 'lucky millionth listener' who wins a mars bar!!!!!!!!

cheers guys... Cool

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:51 am

hi toads. good to see you're sticking around. if you're looking to do more reviews, please review the first 2 tracks on the sylvan lane profile. you can do waht you want with the others. some of the live performances are hit and miss, as they are more there as demos. i guess you've heard 'Falling.'

i also have 3 track on the solo page. they're way different and composed on the keyboard. i don't know how to play the keyboard. i'll leave the decision to you.

thanks and hope you enjoy! Cool

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:40 am

Jon Toad Reviews: "Falling" by Sylvan Lane

"Falling" is a conversation. Beginning with a walking pace section in the lower regions of the fretboard, the two acoustics shimmy and dance their separate ways before seemingly melting into one another. The melodies mingle and interweave in delicate randomness, not unlike falling leaves, before reaching a section in which the tempo becomes more determined and driving.

The track demonstrates the technical excellence of the performers without becoming cold and mechanical. There is a natural flow to the music which is beguiling and despite the lack of words, this very much feels like a "song."

I very much enjoyed this track and my only disappointment is that geography prevents hearing it played live. Excellent.

Music: 8.5
Performance: 9.5
Production: 9

[B]

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:05 pm

Jon Toad reviews: "Yep I'm famous" by Young D

The beat and guitar riff kicks down the door early in the first few bars and then ploughs on throughout the track. The rapping is faultless and shows endearing glimpses of wry humour, although I found my attention wandering towards the latter part of the track due to the relentless nature of the vocal. Perhaps a little variety in the mid section would help focus. Perhaps it's just me.

Also not sure the 3 octave climb of the guitar riff is a good idea, it's a great guitar part and I'm not sure it's needed. The production is almost too excellent and needs to be "dirtied" up with a bit of knob twiddling as well as a little more depth to the music later on in the song.

This is all creative nit-picking though. This is an exceptionally catchy and enjoyable piece of work. Let's hope it enjoys similar success to that enjoyed by Run DMC when they dabbled with rock crossover.

Music: 8
Performance: 8
Production: 8

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:45 pm

thanks for the review mr. toad! Very Happy

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:48 pm

promise me you'll listen through headphones..........

HEADPHONES

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:56 am

I'm curious to hear what you guys think of one of our older tracks, Anymore [HiFi] [LoFi],
or one of our newer tracks, In Hiding (live) [HiFi] [LoFi]

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:55 am

Dear facefitz and seneki

The Toads are currently reflecting upon your wares. We like to listen at least 3 times to each track before passing judgement so please bear with us.

Thankyou

Jon Toad

ubw newbie Joined: Mar 05, 2008 Posts: 3

Hello Toads
You're more than welcome to sent a few words my way. My latest song is "To be here"

Thanks

Nicolej Brink

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:22 pm

Dear Nicolej

We shall duly reflect and will respond soon.

Cheers

The Toads

Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:14 am

THE TOADS review "Cancer Goddess" by Paul Mayes

A low, metallic ostinato underpins this from the beginning coupled with a low rasping drone which stutters and starts but feels like an old friend by the end of the track. Staccato bursts of sound punctuate the soundscape sparse from the offset yet building in intensity and dynamic throughout the first half.

A distorted tribal-esque beat adds a sense of urgency to the final third of the song, entering at around the 3 minute mark.

The track has an overwhelming industrial feel to it, in the most literal sense and it is hard not to picture machinery at war. Tribes of robots perhaps? It has a hint of vintage Orbital about it also. Not a bad thing.

This is another grower. A top track although perhaps a more mechanical title might be more fitting?

THE TOADS give something back. Who wants a review?

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