Shiny Toy Guns

Artiste: Shiny Toy Guns
Calls Home: LA
Album: We Are Pilots (v1), We Are Pilots (v2), We Are Pilots (v3)
Source: 10am phone call to Olivia + gift card + idle time in Best Buy
Sounds Like: maybe a more electronic Bloc Party, Mates of State, synth alt pop/rock, The Killers
Go to the Source: official site, myspace, amazon, iTunes

Speaking of Grammy Nominated, I've been listening a lot to the newest Shiny Toy Guns' album lately. I've gotta admit that I bought it solely on the advice of a half-asleep friend when I disappointingly couldn't find the 'Music for Animals' CD and that at first I was not too impressed. After a while though, this band really grows on you. For those of a more rock persuasion, don't let some of the poppy heavily processed tracks (including youTube dance phenomenon "Le Disko") scare you away, there's genuine goodness in this CD. Instead be patient for "Don't Cry Out"; Carah Faye Charnow is the highlight and has this smooth voice that really carries well with the tracks, never overwhelming the music that these guys have thrown together. I wish I could say the same for Chad Petree (guitarist/vocalist) who hits on some tracks but on others just sounds like another whiny, post-emo kid. He makes it up for it with some really driving guitar segments that can carry or lay foundation for the keyboard (what is with the re-explosion of keyboardists?).

Despite being out since Fall '06, this album is up for Best Electronic/Dance Album this year. It's easy to see why it falls in that category, but the variety in the album gives it a chance to be more than just a random party filler and would do well to round out a collection that may feature one-too-many acoustic, or traditional guitar-bass-drums bands. You've gotta give it up for a band that has released the same single THREE times in 2005, '06 and '07 and subsequently picked up ever-better record labels.

They're currently touring middle America, so check back to their myspace page for updates. They also have a godawful amount of youTube videos of their concerts all available on their official site (or just click here). Also, check out their 'Le Disko' video below, it's a bit Industrial/steampunk and doesn't truly reflect the rest of the album, but points for creepiness. Their official site's 'Rainy Monday' video is a lot more tame and dull.