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- Date Released: April 11, 2000
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Indie Rock, Alternative
- Label: Planetary Group, LLC / IODA
More stunning sonic vistas from the former Swervedriver frontman.
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We Say...
After Swervedriver disbanded, frontman Adam Franklin launched his solo project Toshack Highway and explored avenues of sound his other band had veered around, including world music ("Man in the Middle East") electronic dub ("Waking Up") and keyboard-swept pop ("Valentine Number One"). At the same time, Toshack Highway persevered with the drifting atmospheres and dusky guitar rock of Swervedriver's last two albums, 1995's Ejector Seat Reservation and 1998's 99th Dream. There results are far from consistent, and Toshack Highway's eponymous debut is structurally scattered. But there are still plenty of stunning sonic vistas to satisfy Swerverdriver fans until the band's eventual reunion.
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They Say...
The fruits of Adam Franklin's first foray outside of Swervedriver is a mixed bag of somber acoustic tracks, sci fi-meets-spaghetti western instrumentals, and a little worldly dabbling. Franklin, Charlie Francis (studio accomplice of REM and High Llamas), and Jeff Towsin (Sophia) take on enough ideas to make this a sprawling mess, but repeated listenings divulge an LP brimming many (sometimes) cohesive concepts. The majority of Toshack Highway alternates between instrumental and vocal tracks; the clutch of Franklin-sung tunes will appeal to fans of Swervedriver's dusky, slo-motion B-sides from 99th Dream and Ejector Seat Reservation. They sometimes resemble the lighter, more whimsical aspects of early T. Rex, but Franklin's lyrics are normally more brooding and resigned than Marc Bolan's. The instrumentals are playful, balancing out the more serious vocal tracks. It's a pretty safe bet that Franklin and co. had been studying up on their Air prior to entering the studio: "Waking Up" is a goofy slice of dub with some brass phrasings -- a child chuckles and exclaims "wake up!" as an older gent yawns. There's enough imagination boiling over to make for several Toshack releases. But it is a bit awkward to hear Franklin sing "I will find some way to survive" during the pedal steel-based "Sisyphus" only a few minutes after "Waking Up," so perhaps future releases could use a little conceptual streamlining. More than anything, the record screams for Franklin to devote an entire LP to his downcast vocal chestnuts.
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| 01. |  |
Harlem |
4:13 |
|
| 02. | |
Wurlitzer Waltzer |
3:14 |
|
| 03. | |
Just Landed |
6:43 |
|
| 04. | |
Theme |
4:56 |
|
| 05. | |
I've Lost The Feeling |
3:50 |
|
| 06. | |
Man In The Middle East |
4:53 |
|
| 07. | |
I Thought I Saw My Ship A-Coming |
3:32 |
|
| 08. | |
Valentine Number One |
4:07 |
|
| 09. | |
Board The Bullet Train |
4:07 |
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| 10. | |
Waking Up |
5:52 |
|
| 11. | |
Toshackinblack |
3:12 |
|
| 12. | |
Sisyphus |
4:19 |
|
12 Total Tracks, 52:58 Total Length
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Credits
- Charlie Frazier - Producer // Andy Vella - Sleeve Design // Steve Rooke - Mastering // Adam Franklin - Guitar // Adam Franklin - Keyboards // Adam Franklin - Vocals // Adam Franklin - Producer // Toshack Highway - Main Performer // Charlie Francis - Bass // Charlie Francis - Keyboards // Charlie Francis - Programming // Charlie Francis - Producer // Charlie Francis - Engineer // Thomas Vater - Loops // Thomas Vater - Sample Arrangements // Jeff Townsin - Drums // Heinz Riegler - Vocals
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