Mabel Greer's Toyshop
New Way of Life

Sometimes there are things that happen which shows that you are never to old for toys, like these guys. This band was originally formed in 1966, almost fifty years ago and back then they sprung the seeds to what became Yes but that was without founders Bayley and Hagger who just recently decided to join up and reform the toyshop once again and that led to a much delayed debut album. Thing is that I think that they do try to sell too much on the Yes references talking about the two tracks that was on the Yes debut album that can be found on this one as well, but also Billy Sherwood and some other things. So can they not stand on their own feet?

I think you might be able to guess how it sounds considerig all the references to Yes, think back to their 1969 debut and then modernise the sound quite a bit. It is melodic, slightly progressive and psychedelic rock in a retro style but with a nice fresh sound that still manages to be a bit rough around the edges which is always a good thing for such an album. The vocals are not the best I have ever heard but I think that they work really well for this album, and the variation is good enough to keep most listeners listening for the entire playing time of 54 minutes on eleven tracks.

I like this album, the songs are very good and it is entertaining. Sure it is not the freshest album I have heard in terms of new and fresh ideas, but rarely is retro rock done as well as this album. The sound is excellent and the songs great unlike many other retro bands I have heard, like for instance Bonafide or Bullet who are the exact opposite to these guys. The question can always be though; are they really relevant, is there really a place for this kind of music now? Well, I think that it is, people tend to like things they know and if the things they know also are made well, it will be even better so for all of you who didn’t like the direction Yes took as this is more like they were. But it is not only for nostalgias; it is a good album however you want to look at it.

As I stated previously, I think all the tracks on the album are good and solid but that the opening one Electric Funeral is the one I like the best. All in all it is a very likeable album with strong songs and excellent feel and for all of us who like a bit of melody, progressiveness, psykedelia and retro fun it is definitely an album to have. One thing I want though is that it doesn’t take 49 years for them to make the next album as they will be over 100 years old then and I doubt I will be alive to hear it. And I doubt this album will last 49 years.

HHHHHHH