I am posting this, less as a review because I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but more as a little chunk of excitement because I am really looking forward to it. I’d never heard of Adam before, but he sent me a song as a music submission which I really liked, so I asked for a couple more and loved them too, so I bought the album. The CD itself is still en route, but I thought I’d pass this on.

Imagine if Adam Green was less of a self-absorbed, irritating smart-arse. Ah, what a relief, I hear you say. Well that is pretty much Adam Balbo’s territory. He describes himself as ‘roughly-hewn folk numbers and casio beat anthems’ which is pretty accurate. The casio backing brings a slightly naive, toy-town atmosphere to the music, and the simply strummed acoustic guitar gives the whole enterprise a lo-fi, DIY sound which is deceptively unsophisticated.

Ultimately for me, the big difference is the cleverness of the lyrics. Nice turns of phrase and unusual thoughts pack each song and the wit is never anything like as overbearing or cloyingly deliberate as a certain Mr. Green. In fact, it is the casual amusement and sharpness that makes this record as engaging and rewarding as it is. Go Toadlings: go and purchase!

Adam Balbo – Samba Blues
Adam Balbo – Let’s Make a Porno

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More errant podcastery from your favourite slippery green amphibian. This week I find myself yelling abuse at JC who writes a terrible blog called The Vinyl Villain and is currently stranded in Toronto for a few months, far away from his Glasgow home. JC was pretty much the first blogger to take any interest in Song, by Toad in its formative days and I have always been rather grateful for the encouragement Jim showed me back when I was starting out.

As such I thought I’d play a few songs from his favourite groups, a couple of things he’s brought us in the last few months and some songs about missing folk, seeing as he’ll presumably be pining like a teenager for the lovely Mrs. Villain. Well, that or masturbating himself into a zinc-deficient coma, of course.

Either way, hope you’re enjoying yourself JC. Here’s some bloody songs for ya!

Toadcast #5 – Distant Villainy

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1. Belly – Trust In Me (01.54)
2. Maximo Park – Girls Who Play Guitars (08.30)
3. The Doledrums – Midweek Dreamer (12.50)
4. Waylon Jennings – Dukes of Hazzard Theme (15.20)
5. Billy Bragg – Wishing the Days Away (Ballad Version) (18.33)
6. Alex Cornish – This One’s For You (24.28)
7. Adam Balbo – Rock Ballad (31.02)
8. Elbow – Fugitive Motel (36.24)
9. R.E.M. – Half a World Away (41.21)
10. The Doledrums – He Said (47.14)
11. The Meteors – Out of Time (51.21)
12. James – Say Something (55.33)
13. Thunderegg – Long Way From Home (59.50)
14. The Pendulums – Brand New Song (66.52)