The Island of Misfit Toys - Bear Hair
Record Label: Tandem Shop
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Eccentricity can be both a blessing and a curse. In the case of Chicago indie outfit The Island of Misfit Toys and their full-length debut Bear Hair, it is neither. Now before the hate mail starts, allow me to message this thought.
Over the course of 10 songs, the octet tackles a range of genres, straddling the line between riveting guitar-based pop, yelping punk angst and even a dash of hip-hop. The group is anchored by hyper-literate vignettes that unfurl more like a novel than that of a pop song. Lead vocalist and founder Anthony Sanders has a reedy croon that wobbles and sways based on his mood.
When he's placid and chill, his timbre is restrained, refined and incredibly effective. When he's teetering towards rage, disappointment and disenchantment, he's over-the-top, rough-hewn and sometimes tough to take. Thankfully though he's backed by a first-rate rhythm section, shimmering keys and an armful of swerving guitars.
Bear Hair is by no stretch a disappointment. The main problem with it is how varied, schizophrenic and oddball it is. That being said, this kind of lyrical acumen is not often found and when the band turns on the charm, notably "Beginnings of a Beard," and "Hermit Crab", there's enough reason to think that in a couple years, this band will be headlining summer festivals.
[fs=Recommended If You Like] Meridene, Mason Proper, They Might Be Giants, Blake Solomon [/fs[
HELLO! This is Anthony Sanders, from the band.
I am overjoyed (seriously) that AbsolutePunk even HAS a review for our record. It's an awesome review too! However, I have to point out...the band name and the album name are mixed up! We're called The Island of Misfit Toys, and the album's called Bear Hair.
HELLO! This is Anthony Sanders, from the band.
I am overjoyed (seriously) that AbsolutePunk even HAS a review for our record. It's an awesome review too! However, I have to point out...the band name and the album name are mixed up! We're called The Island of Misfit Toys, and the album's called Bear Hair.
It has since been fixed. My apologies for mixing that up.
Very good folk/pop. Its alot like Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. Alot of soul and really great instrumentation. I'm getting this album for sure.
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