My Favorite Artists
Submitted by AlacritMusic on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 08:06
Tags:
- Shiny Toy Guns
- The only band I'm quite prepared to smear in anyone and everyone's faces. In the 90's, the electroclash music genre was said to be the second generation of new wave music (well, the third generation, if you consider the first being new wave such as Gary Numan and Jean Michel Jarre, and the second being synthpop with artists like Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, etc.). In my personal opinion, a "third wave" of new wave music started evolving when artists such as Ladytron, Goldfrapp, and Fischerspooner came around, combining electronic elements with indie and punk rock. To me, artists such as Miss Kitten, The Hacker, and Felix Da Housecat are too electro sounding to be in the same category as the previous stated. Shiny Toy Guns are a perfect example of the huge return of New Wave Rock- separating and exploding electroclash and synthtron boundaries- giving birth to a sort of Neo New Wave aura. Chad Petree and Karah Faye have two strong, steady, rare voices that pierce your mind when at full volume. The even contributions of male and female vocals are combined with proportions from guitars and electronics. Three equal parts- the Guitar, Technology, and Melody.
- Personal Favorite Songs: You Are The One, Don't Cry Out, Chemistry of a Car Crash, Rainy Monday, Photograph, Rocketship, Stripped, Turn to Real Life.
- Other unforgettable songs: Le Disko, Starts with One, When They Came for Us, Waiting, Jackie Will Come Save Me, Shaken, We Are Pilots, I Promise You Walls, Weather Girl, Nothing Compares to You, Puttin' On The Ritz, Sky Fell Over Me, Joel's Theme.
Sounds interesting - I love New Wave music, so it would be great to hear the next evolution of it. Is "Stripped" a cover of the Depeche Mode song? Also, what's the best album to start with?
Ahhhhh "Stripped." Alas, it IS in fact a cover on Depeche Mode. And I did like the Depeche Mode original, due to the fact that Depeche Mode was one of my favorite 80's bands, but this version seemed to fill in all the needed musical gaps, if you will.
Shiny Toy Guns have only released one cd on the market, We Are Pilots. Stripped was an LP you could download they released back in 2006 containing the songs "Stripped" and "Nothing Compares to You."
The songs "Photograph," "Sky Fell Over Me," "Rocketship," "Turn to Real Life," "The Weather Girl," "Joel's Theme," "I Promise You Walls" and their version of "Puttin' On The Ritz" can be found on other imported versions of We Are Pilots, otherwise they can be found off of Soulseek as well.
Hopefully you'll hear them and like them!!!
And as for what to start with, if you by any chance get your hands on their album, We Are Pilots, start out with the very first song, "You Are The One." Both Chad Petree and Karah Faye switch off vocals in that song. And I love that a pounding guitar melody is almost overtaken by the powerful synths. It's the first song I heard by them, and still one of my close favorites.
"Le Disko" is Shiny Toy Guns biggest hit; the one they're (unfortunately) known for. Don't get me wrong, I don't find it a weak piece at all. It's just style for a more party-type atmosphere, very different from most of the cd. But they do present themselves strongly in every song. That's another thing I like about them, they can produce an epic sound in both uptempo dance hits, and soothing ballads.
Alright, I picked this one up, and so far I definetely like it. My favorites are "Weather Girl" and "Turn to Real Life", which sounds an awful lot like New Order. It seems to be a pretty solid album, after three listens I remember how all the songs go, which is a good sign ;) I remember "Le Disko", I used to hear that song all the time! Nice to finally figure that one out...
Yes! I have to agree that they sound a great deal like New Order, and I adore "Turn to Real Life," the beat, more than any other song, is the most reminiscent to the 80's sound; of course that's only my personal listening opinion.
I'm glad I could make a fan out of you :]