I Come From the Water

There is no band I want to see live more than the Toadies. Are they currently together working on new music? I can't quite figure it out. Maybe...maybe not. For the rock world's sake, let's hope so. Playing shows about every six months or so exclusively throughout Texas and seldom neighboring states, the Toadies are blowing my mind with the idea that a full blown reunion and new album are very possible. The anticipation eats me up inside as I am left to consider the possibilities of greatness they can still achieve.

Fort Worth, Texas' local heroes, the Toadies, having formed in 1990, first rushed the grunge rock scene in 1995. During the peak of the early 90's rock wave, bands were being signed to major labels left and right, hoping to find that next Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Soundgarden. Interscope Records wisely chose the Toadies, and released their debut album, "Rubberneck," that same year. Their sound mixed a blend of warped Pixies styled guitars with the ferocious angst and punch of Nirvana themed grunge. Toadies music pummeled the listener with crushing riffs played at speeds varying from the tornado fast winds of the openers "Mexican Hairless" and "Mister Love" to the slow atmospheric strums of "I Burn." Radio would find a classic on the album, "Possum Kingdom" that is still played regularly today. The track enjoyed tremendous success, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who grew up within the genre that doesn't know it. You might not know the title, but as soon as you hear the opening guitar riff, you know exactly what song it is. With a piercing guitar line over top the grinding riff, this song demonstrates the Pixies meets Nirvana meets Texas Alternative rock sound the Toadies would create. What could be considered a signature of the band is its crushing rhythms mixed with chugging guitars and a squealing guitar harmony to contrast. The Toadies sound is unapologetic and extremely unpolished, and in that is where the appeal comes from. "Backslider" and "Quitter," are great examples of this unpolished pure rock n roll fury. Lurking just below the depths of mainstream, the Toadies crafted an amazing album that burns with a dark and angry mood, yet delivers an uplifting effect.

Singer Todd Lewis to me exhibits the greatest set of vocals since Maynard James Keenan, Chris Cornell, and Scott Weiland led the way. As unique as the other three mentioned, Lewis' voice, raw and angry, twists an incredible feeling of bleakness and hope at the same time. Just look at their second single from the album, "Tyler." The song is written about a true-life abduction of a woman in the city of Tyler, Texas, by a desperate man who had been stalking her. With the horrible subject matter being covered by the band, the song has always struck me as having a very positive and hopeful feel to it. While Lewis tells the story from the view point of the abductor, the song maintains a definite beauty in spite of the subjects ugliness. It is ability like this that sets apart Lewis' vocal prowess from the pack. Containing a siren like guitar line, and a thumping rhythm section to accompany the lyrics, this is one of those songs that you immediately want to start over once it has ended. Easily one of my favorite tracks of all time, it's not the only one on this album. "Away," is another personal favorite of mine right from the opening whammy bar infused intro. Bassist Lisa Umbarger keeps the soaring guitar in place with an infectious bass line that rolls and bounces throughout the entire track. The vocal melodies are complimented by the entire bands playing, and still remains to capture the spirit and soul of the time perfectly. "Away" proves another example of their ability to create a dark, wandering song and fill it with beauty and promise. The next track, "I Come From the Water," is yet another certifiable classic. A fast paced thumping song, complete with head banging styled riffs and drops, this song serves as a great 90's alternative rock sing-a-long.

"Happy Face" and "Velvet" are two more ferocious and adrenaline pumped rockers. Intensity is never in question on this album, and the Toadies never disappoint. Closing the album with "I Burn," the track delivers incredible imagery associated with the lyrics of fire, as it burns with a cleanliness to it, renewing and reforming in the air. Just as the passion of the flames soar, so does the band. Rubberneck is a dark, crushing, grimy album, and I would have it no another way. The Toadies show and prove their strengths with one of the best debut albums from any band of the era. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS ALBUM, YOU SHOULD BUY IT! NOT SURE IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT...DOWNLOAD A FEW SONGS, THEN BUY IT! Maybe it will motivate them to get back together, as it seems to be right around the corner. Or maybe they will keep me forever waiting, but atleast you will have a great album.

They toured in support of the record with Bush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spacehog, and Butthole Surfers, gaining a large and extremely loyal fan base. Rubberneck went platinum due highly to the success of "Possum Kingdom," but then they all but disappeared from the public's eye until 2001...when they would prove themselves all over again...

TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...