Toad The Wet Sprocket Album: “P.S.: A Toad Retrospective”

P.S. is not suppose to be Toad's greatest hits album.(thus according to Toad the Wet Sprocket). It's suppose to be Toad's favorite songs, hence the title "A retrospective". I am not a hard core fan by any means. I only have one other Toad CD, "Acoustic Dance Party"(Which I highly recommend). There are really good songs on here, one of which I might have heard before, but I'm not sure...anyway now it is my new favorite toad song. It's "Crazy Life". This cd also has the staples of toad, "come down", "all I want", "something's always wrong", "walk on the ocean", and "fall down". One of the songs that was previously unrealeased "Silo lullaby" is another great song, especially before bed time. Overall this is an exceptional cd. I would highly recommend it. It's too bad that toad is no longer together to bring out more great music! Buy this cd, you won't be disappointed.

Toad the Wet Sprocket is one of the few bands that can be dubbed "lyrical genius," and this CD brings that out. "P.S." is a wonderful opening song, and it's only the beginning. The album goes on to show other interesting works such as "Fall Down," "Crazy Life," and my personal favorite, "Whatever I Fear." There are a few duds, though, like "Jam" and "Way Away," but they hardly ruin the album. And then there are the weird tracks, "Hold Her Down" and "Silo Lullaby." I like the music in "Hold Her Down," but the lyrics are just too strange. "Silo Lullaby" honestly scares me ("Goodnight, sleep well, I'll see you with the rest of them in Hell...").

Anyway, "P.S. (A Toad Retrospective)" is a wonderful album all-around. If you are a newcomer to Toad, this is the best place to start. After you listen to this album, hopefully your curiosity in them will be aroused enough to get you to buy the rest.

I'm only sorry that I really didn't become a "fan" until Coil. I enjoyed everyone's posts here. These guys were (are) simply (a ton) better than the public consumption of music wanted. It's a fricking joke. I know not a thing about the physical act of making music, but think I'm pretty deft at what's good and not. However, I do have more than a thing for lyrics, and find that, at least for me, the most integral part of any song. Not taking away from the other members, bet Glen Phillips is the standout. I hate when the word genius gets thrown around willy-nilly, but there is no doubt in my mind that this man is a musical GENIUS-that nobody knows about! Unbelievable. I know a lot of Toad and Glen fans have different tastes, so we're not all going to like the exact same thing. That's fine. In my humble opinion, anyone who can tell me something I've already been through, or felt, or wanted, in a different way so as to bring up an emotion or thought is doing something well. My high water marks are Sting and Bruce Springsteen, and...Glen. He is that good. Honestly, between Toad and the only Glen solo, I have never seen such a beautiful blend of melancholy and despair with the brightest hope of a new day. Any chance these guys may get back together?

Toad rocked from the start. They are missed much. Many great cd's were released during the short time they were around. Dulcinea, Coil, Pale, and now this retrospective. This one tops it all. Combining all Toads rockins hits on one great CD. Buy it, you wont regret it.

Let me start this way: If I were marooned on the proverbial deserted island, and could only bring five albums with me, Toad's "P.S." would certainly make the list. Some albums are "instant classics", but this one is "instantly indispensible": once you've jammed to it a few times you can't imagine your music collection without it. And don't want to.

The outstanding features of TtWS, and what differentiates it from so many of its contemporaries, are the superb songwriting, emotionally honest vocals, and the wide emotional range of the songs. "Something's Always Wrong" is as sad-hearted and bleak a song as you can imagine; "Way Away" is beautifully written life-advice that comes off as profound rather than pretentious; "Walk on the Ocean" alternates between humor and melancholy while also offering pointed guidance about seizing the moment; "Jam" is stirring, powerful and replete with the brilliant, quirky lyrics that are this group's trademark ("Such a quiet din!"); and "Hold Her Down" is just all up your face and tough from first strum to last. Wow.

Since I keep mentioning the lyrics, it's only fair I give you a taste (from "Good Intentions"):

It's hard to rely on my good intentions

When my head's full of things that I can't mention

It seems I usually get things right but I can't understand what I did last night

And it's hard to rely on my own good senses

When I miss so much that requires attention

I have to laugh at myself at sometimes

And I can't see that I'm not blind

There's little relief

Give us reprieve

For all the things I've left behind

I'm positive that I'm not blind

I'm not afraid things won't get better

But it feels like this has gone on forever

You have to cry with your own blue tears

Have to laugh with your own good cheer

I can't be hard on you

'Cause you know I've been there too

Learned a lot of things from you

But life gives little relief

Give us reprieve

And when everyone is cold as ice

I clinch my fists and close my eyes

Imagining the world outside

But I can see that I'm not blind

"P.S." packs 16 songs, which include this band's better known hits ("Walk on the Ocean", "Fall Down", "Good Intentions" etc.) as well as some lesser-known gems and a couple of remixes. If you were going to introduce a newcomer to the group, you probably couldn't do better than to hand them "P.S.": they'll be surprised how many of the songs they already know.

Long and short: if you're a Toad fan, this album is a must-have, and if you're not, it will make you one in 56:30 flat.