Toe - The Future is Now EP

Today I found out that Toe released a new album. I googled it, and found a buck load of blogs with the D/L on it, so I mean why not?

If you have never listened to Toe you should check out the older post we did on them. I would imagine most people are somewhat familiar with this band, but sometimes people surprise me. The new EP has the obligatory Toe characteristics, but this release is somewhat chiller than the other releases and displays a good deal of musical maturity. This album is also significantly more electronic, and has an above average number of tracks with vocals (2 for 4). While "The Future is Now" is a pleasant progression for the band, I can't tell if I will really bump this release. Granted this is the first listen, but nothing is really popping out at me. I mean, all the songs are obviously good because Toe is absolutely amazing, but I can't tell if there are any real bangers on this EP. Solid release, bonkers songs just as I would have expected form these cats, just no banger, which is fine. Every song can't be "Memphis Shall Be Laid To Waste", you know.

One time I was working an art show at The Northern, and it was a Sunday or something and I was by myself like all day. They had this little stereo there and I would normally just play my Ipod while I waited for my "shift" to be over, and I was listening to all the Toe songs I have when this older couple comes in to look at the art and stuff, and the lady comes over and starts asking me all these questions about the music I was playing and stuff. It was wild. She was hella down, and I ended up explaining to her how to download music on the internet. Felt good, mans.

Anyways, check out the EP, and if you like it buy it. I think it was put out by Top Shelf. Wild, huh? Toe is the business, I don't know what they are doing as far as tours go but lets all pray that they come to our closest metropolitan area. Word.

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The Future is Now EP

Toe

Hailing from Japan, Toe's composition and style varies greatly from many of the more traditional soft/loud dynamic-oriented post-rock groups (like Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, etc.). I would also dare to say they could be classified as math rock as well, due to the complex structure of the songs. If I had to make a comparison, I would say they are much more akin in style to Pele than anyone else I can think of off the top of my head, although I'd say their songs are more compact and structured than Pele's lilting, dreamy style.

Propelled forward by the unbelievably talented Kashikura Takashi on drums, Toe's melodic tendencies develop beautiful results. His fills are lightning quick, and he has one of the most original styles I've ever heard. Rolling bass and fast-paced, riff-oriented guitars create a beautiful patchwork to match Takashi's beats. While "Vague Plot" focuses more on jam packing rollicking post-rock compositions into a three minute pop song structure, their newest output "New Sentimentality" relies upon subtle shifts in rhythm to build tension while still utilizing clean, melodic, (and even acoustic) guitars. Download it all!

Here's a really amazing video from their RGBDVD release. The song is called "Kodoku No Hatsumei".




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Songs, Ideas We Forgot (2002)



Re:designed (2003)



Pele/Toe Split (2004)



The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety (2005)



New Sentimentality (2006)