published: 19 /
3 /
2008
Label:
Urtovox
Format: CD
Enjoyable, but unchallenging electronica on third album from Italian group, A Toys Orchestra
Review
Hailing from Italy, A Toys Orchestra have been together since 1998, and have released two albums and toured extensively throughout their native country.'Technicolor Dreams' is their latest offering, released on Urtovox Records.
The orchestra fall sound-wise somewhere between Gorkys Zygotic Mynci and Cursive, with songs varying between soft-piano pop laments (‘Invisible’, ‘Powder on the Words’) to key-smacking rock stomps like ‘Cornice Dance’ and Amnesty International. At one point they even take on the ever-growing in popularity 8-bit genre (if it gets to the point where it becomes mainstream, I’ll of course have to cut all ties to the genre – I can’t be seen as liking popular things, reputation to keep you know), with the song ‘Ease off the Bit’. And they pull it off well. Along with the Pavement-esque ‘Bug Embrace’, this is definitely my favourite track.
While by no means a life-changing act, A Toys Orchestra are very adept at writing enjoyable pop tunes, and I could certainly see this being someone’s Sunday afternoon house-cleaning record, as it ticks all the right boxes for such a tasks – unchallenging, at times thoroughly danceable (for when you’re dusting the shelves in the front room, you know you do it) but you won’t be too fussed if you miss bits when the hoover’s on.
Track Listing:-
1
Invisible
2
Cornice Dance
3
Mss Macabrette
4
Letter To Myself
5
Ease Off The Bit
6
Powder On The Words
7
Amnesy International
8
Santa Barbara
9
Bug Embrace
10
Danish Cookie Blue Box
11
Technicolor Dream
12
Be4 I Walk Away
13
Panick Attack #3