CD Review – Toy Soldiers
Whisper Down the Lane
Mad Dragon Records
When you listen to the opening track of the debut from Toy Soldiers, you get the sense that they really love playing music. Combining classic rock, blues and gospel, “Throw Me Down” is like a party in right around three minutes. “Hard Times” is like an outtake from the latest album by Zach Lupetin and the Dustbowl Revival. Vocalist/Guitarist Ron Gallo is the mastermind behind the Toy Soldiers, but he’s not the Alpha and Omega of the group. Everybody gets involved. The rootsy “Be Right Here” has background vocalist Kate Foust commanding the lead and proving that Gallo isn’t the only one in this group with serious talent, while the saloon-waltz of “Loaded on Sunday” showcases Daniel King’s blues-rich vocals. Toy Soldiers is a group that is certainly having fun and can mold several genres into one fantastic album. If you are looking for something that is fun and original, you’ve come to the right place.
