By request. The Toons were an unabashed L.A. pop six-piece with no less than two guys solely assigned to vocal duties (or so reads the lineup details on the back sleeve of
Looking at Girls). As demonstrated by their acumen and overarching "chops," these gents were vying for something more lucrative than what Rhino Records might have accorded them at the time, but not an undesirable label to commence your career with either I suppose. Side one shines from beginning to end, with four keepers including the Rundgren-esque power pop of "Space Girl" and the equally melodious title piece. "Elena" showcases the Toons more than adept penchant for inserting Beach Boys-clad harmonies in the right spaces, though it's seven-minute running time could have been truncated by half that length without losing much of anything. The other side of this twelve inch coin illuminates the lesser half of the Toons collective profile, with regrettably embarrassing '80s indulgences, most egregious being the cartoon-ish robotic vocal fills permeating "Video Games" and "Mind Death." Nearly as disappointing a gesture is the sapsucker piano-ballad "Where Are You Tonight" which finds this occasionally satisfactory combo pitifully pandering to the soft-rock set.
Looking at Girls was not succeeded by a follow-up of any kind so far as I can surmise.
01. Space Girl
02. So Far
03. Looking at Girls
04. Elena
05. Video Games
06. Where Are You Tonight
07. Love Your Neighbor
08. Mind Death (Sally Only Had One Eye)
Hear
1 comment:
Still have the album. Always loved So Far.
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