By Susie Salva Los Angeles-based Grammy-nominated dance/electronica rock band Shiny Toy Guns release their very satisfying sophomore release entitled, “Season of Poison” on Universal Motown Records. This highly-anticipated release is the follow up to their critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated debut record, “We Are Pilots”, which was released in 2006 spawning such hits as their riveting breakthrough single, “Le Disko”, a playful dance-anthem that permeated radio and clubs.
The song was featured in advertisements for Motorola and Apple. This time around the band spent the better half of 2 years on and off the road progressing their dance/rock and electronic roots. This time around they have definitely have outdone themselves.
The band that once again produced the album themselves, founding members Chad Petree (vocals, guitar) and Jeremy Dawson (synthesizer, bass) used 2008 technology. Marrying dynamic late ‘70s style synthesizer programming with face-erasing stoner rock, gently spreading this over layer upon layer of ethnic and tribal rhythms. Not to mention their keen pop sense in lyrics and arrangement have collided with legendary mixing abilities of super-engineer Andy Wallace. They create a completely new color in future-forward musical spectrum. The first single off of “Season of Poison” is “Ricochet”, a heavy rhythmic guitar laden song already being heard on radio stations across the nation including the highly influential KROQ in Los Angeles. “Ricochet” pairs together aggressive pop rock with scream-o sounds.
“Season of Poison” marks an evolution for the band not only sonically, but in the band dynamics as well. Sisely Treasure from the band Cooler Kids replaced departed vocalist Carah Faye Charnow who left the group this past summer to pursue other interests. Dawson explains, “We moved forward with our initial choice for co-lead singer for the band in 2002, longtime friend Sisely Treasure. “So we have returned to the exact original idea and lineup that Shiny Toy Guns was meant to be.” With a new singer who is also now a writing partner to Petree and Dawson, Treasure brings in whole new complimentary perspective to the band. The result is a hard rocking, grove-shaking album that will appeal to die hard Shiny Toy Guns fans and new ones alike.
This mercurial foursome (which also includes Mikey Martin on drums) has been described as everything from ‘glam-goth-new wave-chic’ to ‘electronic mash-up with dance floor destroyer’. The lead track, “When Did This Storm Begin”, utilizes rap and electronic sounds beautifully starting off this dynamic CD. “I Owe You a Love Song”, has a ‘80s vibe with happy-go-lucky lyrics and an effective use of modulation.
“Ghost Town”, one of the strongest tracks on the disc has the shared vocals duties of Petree and Treasure who demonstrates a Gwen Stefani sound with haunting aggressive melodies. Both “Money For That” and “It Became A Lie On You” use lovely electronic sounds with the latter summing up the sounds of ‘80s pop band the Thompson Twins. “Season of Love” is a stirring ballad suggesting the beauty of love where you can’t live with or without it. “Turned To Real Life” and “Frozen Oceans” feature the lovely sounds of Sisely Treasure where a girl is living in a fantasyland and two lovers find themselves in different places.
This CD is packed with excitement and excellent use of synthesizers and current cutting edge technologies. Petree, Dawson, and Treasure are consummate songwriters and this new disc is everything their fans have been longing for.
“Season of Poison,” doesn’t disappoint. Their new live show and sound of the Shiny’s will be one of the most dramatic displays of technology and performance…melting state-of-art lighting and video into sound with a stage display of over 12 different instruments. This brings “over-the-top” to a gentle word used to describe any of their tour dates. For more on the Shiny Toy Guns please go to www.shinytoyguns.com or www.myspace.com/shinytoyguns.
great info thanks for the review.~