Invisible Toy - "Ceramic Metropolis"
(Grazing Pigeon Records 1999, GPCD 009)
Invisible Toy - "Ceramic Metropolis"
(Grazing Pigeon Records 1999, GPCD 009)
From Aural Innovations #14 (January 2001)
Loop driven tribal space music, with the emphasis on the loops. Despite the four members credited, I frequently hear more loop than band. The band "bio" verbosely discusses the ancient civilizations of Mu and Atlantis... I'm no expert, but I hope that the Atlanteans weren't subjected to this collection of repetitive four by four-on-the-floor techno cliche. What isn't mind-numbingly cyclic consists of obvious stylistic cops from the hip-hop "minimoog" solo (without any funk at the core), sparse tribal percussion (but no primitively urgent feel), fusionoid guitar synth sounds (not much creative virtuosity apparent), acid bloops and chirps (without innovative sounds), half-hearted dub drop-outs (lacking intensely dramatic echo), fluffy new age pads and tinkly synths. A few moments of interaction between the sometimes-funky bass and keyboards indicate signs of life, but it seems like they need to clear the loops out of the way and find their own voice.
For more information you can email Invisible Toy at jrk@cableone.net.
Contact via snail mail at Grazing Pigeon Records; 8801 McPherson #B-4; Laredo, TX 78045.
Reviewed by Doug Pearson