Artist: The Toadies
Album: Best of Toadies, Live From Paradise
Todd Lewis - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Clark Vogeler - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Lisa Umbarger - Bass, Backing Vocals
Mark Reznicek - Drums
Released: [url=http://www.aezra.com]Aezra Records[/url] (2002)
"Recorded live at the Paradise in Boston, MA on May 10. 2001. No overdubs. Warts and all!"
Tracks: 18
Track List:
1. Plane Crash
2. I Come From The Water
3. Heel
4. Quitter
5. Hell Below/Stars Above
6. Little Sin
7. Away
8. Motivational
9. Mr. Love
10. Backslider
11. Paper Dress
12. Push The Hand
13. ATF
14. Possum Kingdom
15. Dollskin
16. Tyler
17. I Burn
19. Where Is My Mind?*
*A Pixies cover, writen by Black Francis
Favourite Songs:
Tyler
Hell Below/Stars Above
I Come From The Water
Away
Possum Kingdom
...all of them...
Tons of thanks to NachoChez who introduced me to this band. I don't know if he knows he did, but a while ago in a 'similar artist' thread he said if you like The Pixies, you'll like The Toadies. Ever since I download Possum Kingdom I've loved this band. They're amazing. After buying Rubberneck and hearing about how they had let out a live album I had to have it. So I went on eBay and got it for 6 bucks. Pretty sweet deal concidering this is one of my favourite albums of all time. The toadies only released 3 full length albums in their over a decade carreer (Pleather, Rubberneck and Hell below/Stars Above). The always were a live band and for that reason they decided to release this after they broke up. This album shows how they couldn't capture what it was they did when they played live, while they were in the studio.
1.
Plane Crash - This CD starts out with the crowd chanting "Toadies, Toadies!" until Todd comes in and yells "How do we feel tonight?" Then enters a trademark toadies riff and long powerful scream by Todd. The chorus enters with some pretty awesome vocals. Overall its a good song, not their best. 7/10
2.
I Come From The Water - Without hesitation enters the 3/4 riff that everyone loves. Soft palm muted verse starts then the chorus comes in and you hear the crowd screaming "I come from the water!" Cool 3/4 solo near the end. Amazing song. 8.5/10
3.
Heel - Nice little drum intro building up as the other instruments enter. The bassless verse sounds cool, then the bass comes in for the chorus, which is oddly very catchy. Breaks down with a drum roll building up and then enteres cool guitar riff. Good song. 7/10
4.
Quitter - A classic from Rubberneck. This is an awesome song. Great vocals and lyrics especially for the chorus. The lead guitar fits perfectly over the quick chord progression. Awesome song from Rubberneck. 8/10
5.
Hell Below/Stars Above - This song is also the title of their follow up to Rubberneck. One of their best songs for sure. This song was an amazing melody with perfect vocals and a really catchy lead guitar riff. The lyrics are also very well writen. This song is amazing. 9/10
6.
Little Sin - This song is probably my least favourite on the album even though its really good. I don't know what it is about it but it doesn't give me goosebumps like other toadies songs. Maybe its the weird time signature... Decent song. 6.5/10
7.
Away - One of the best songs. The vocals, melodie, guitar and structure of this song are flawless. Great lyrics. The lead guitar in the verse makes the song. Brakes down for the bridge with just bass and vocals, makes you feel all tingely inside. Soooo good. 9/10
8.
Motivational - Another song with a really good guitar and bass riff. Really catchy verse with song really fun lead guitar and vocals. Then suddenly it comes into an awesome chorus with lots of yelling. Todd Lewis has got to be one of the best screaming vocalists (aside from screamo and hardcore...) next to Black Francis. Really cool song. 8/10
9.
Mr. Love - Another one off Rubberneck, a very good song. Another really cool guitar riff with great vocals during the verse. Really good build up with a drum roll near the end. 8/10
10.
Backslider - Neat little guitar intro, fun song. Also off Rubberneck. Although I haven't really analysed the lyrics very much, I don't really understand but the rest of the song is great.
11.
Paper Dress - Very good song, I'm not what it is about it but I really like this song. Great lyrics and vocals. And of course another awesome guitar riff. Almost seems like it's building up for the entire song. Great song. 8.5/10
12.
Push The Hand - Not one of the best but good nontheless. It's got a really catchy chorus. Pretty cool lyrics aswell. I like it. 7/10
13.
ATF - The only instrumental on the CD, but it's great. Previously unreleased. The lead guitar is really good. The entire song has great rythm. A great instrumental song. 8/10
14.
Possum Kingdom - If you've havent' heard of the Toadies, you've probably still heard this song. Probably their most popular, I think, I'm not sure but I think it was number 1 at one point back in '94. This song is really catchy and you can't get it out of your head. Again an awesome riff with really good lead guitar in the verse. The vocals are fantastic. Very good, and poppy song. 9/10
15.
Dollskin - A much slower song than the average Toadies song. Very enjoyable though. Clark is such a good guitarist. Very good lyrics and melody with the vocals. 8.5/10
16.
Tyler - In my opinion, this is unquestionalbly the best Toadies song. It begins with Todd yelling out "What's next?" and you hear the crowd yell back "TYLER!!" Then enters the "Where is my mind?" like intro guitar riff. Guitar and bass come in with a very catchy rythm riff. The palm muted verse comes in with some very good vocals and lyrics. Then the palm mutes come off and Todd pounds the chords and starts yelling. Brakes down to just lead guitar and drums for a bit then in comes in a bass riff. After is the lead riff and Todd starts belting out the chorus. "I will be with her tonight!" Perfection. 10/10
17.
I Burn - Another of the slower songs. Mostly just Todd's vocals and his guitar for the first while, the occasional "lead bass" riff enters. Then the drums come in on the high hat with bass continuing now. Todd stops for a line to hear the crowd sing along. Then the other guitar comes in and it gets louder. This song's got great vocals and melody, very good. 8/10
18.
Where Is My Mind? - This song is one of the Pixies' best and they cover it wonderfuly. This song is mind blowing, that's all I have to say. 9.5/10
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Overall this is an amaing album that captures the true essence of The Toadies. I highly recomended to anyone who likes good music.
Rating - 4.5/5 :thumb:
It's a 4.5 only because it might not be a "must have." Maybe not to just anyone but for anyone who's into alternative it definetly is. Unbelivable album. :D
hey, that's what we're all here for anyway.
