Song, by Toad

There are times when this album sounds like a deranged operetta.  There are times when it sounds like experimental lounge pop.  There are times when it sounds like a straightforward twisted indie.  It crashes about all over the place, is riddled with imperfections when the melody doesn’t quite catch, when a couple of songs get lost in one another and so forth, but in general this is pure mental brilliance.

It does feel incredibly familiar – it’s reminiscent of a great many recent bands, but rarely of the exact same ones for all that long.  The Revolution Will be Merchandised is an example of a pure pop song: Broadway choruses, sharp lyrics and jaunty brass.  There are plenty of these moments in this album, which is a very good thing, because this kind of easy enjoyment anchors the more bizarre moments – it just keeps the record from becoming disorientating, which would certainly be possible.

It’s a fucking smart album as well.  Songs called Baby Boomer Backstroke will tell you about the sense of humour of this band, although the wit of the lyrics can be somewhat obscured by their obliqueness and the swirl of the music around them.  I agree with Kevin, head* of their excellent label Indiecater, that this really is a album for multiple listens.  Great stuff.

The Van Allen Belt – Dr. Layman’s Terms/The Hills Are Alive

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The Van Allen Belt – Way Up

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* By head, I mean CEO, head of A&R, cleaning lady, canteen staff and work experience teenager.  Bascially, there’s just him, as far as I’m aware, so whilst he is the head of the label, strictly speaking…  well, you know what I mean.