Customer Reviews

Onka's Big Monka

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to say that I was very sceptical about this group and c.d. when I first bought this c.d.I only bought it on the basis that I really liked the single 'Dancing In The Moonlight'.Then I read all sorts of things saying that this group were part of a great M.O.R. revival-I could nearly say I was hoping to find Onka's Big Moka(silly title)naff and very boring. Yes this is pretty much M.O.R.-but not of the Billy Joel variety.In fact it's not even very innovative-but not totally predictable like a Bryan Adams c.d.No what you in fact get are 11 very,very polished but undeniably good tunes.This is the sort of c.d. that I think if it got any airplay I think would do well in the U.S.It's not soft rock it's just a really well-knit talented group of musicians,superbly augmented by Joe Washbourns excellent vocals,great ability on the keyboards/piano and not forgetting the totally lush strings which appear on the few slower tracks.Every time I give this c.d. a listen it gets better and I seem to pick out another song that I think would make a single-they have had 3 single successes in the U.K. so far with Onka's Big Moka(who or what is an Onka?) and believe me with good exposure this c.d. could be one of those slow-burning sellers which can spend a year in the top ten(á la Travis and Stereophonics).If this c.d. had one of those guarantees of 'if you don't like this c.d. we'll give you your money back',I'd bet they'd get very few returns.It really is to me surprisingly good!

As you will probably have already heard the first three tracks (if you haven't - you should!), you will know these are fantastic songs - particularly 'Dancing in the moonlight' and 'Achilles Heel'. Songs that stick in your mind for a long time. However I felt that the rest of the songs on the album, although not bad, were a bit of a disappointment after such a heart-warming opening. They are the kind of songs you would think - yeah they sound OK, but I wouldn't go out and buy them.

My comment - worth buying for the first three tracks alone, but listen to the album first.

I first heard Toploader at a bar in London last month. They were blasting "Dancing in the Moonlight" and my hips took over. From that point on everywhere I went in London this tune followed. It is such a melodious upper I was forced to pay the pounds for the album. I was expecting more light and silly of this band but they threw me off. The rest of the songs are crushingly strong and truthful. The soul is so thick I swear I can smell the earth. My counsel to anyone looking for a new album is to check out Toploader. Give it time in your ears and it will grow to be a favorite.

I bought this album having heard 'Dancing in the moonlight' which is an unbelievable, catchy and cheerful song. I was not disappointed! Achilles heel, another of their singles, is also fantastic - thoughtful and melancholy. If ever there was an album suitable to do anything from washing your car to going to sleep to - this is it! Everyone will like this record because it's so hard not to! Other highlights include 'let the people know','just hold on' and 'higher state'. All of which are beautiful, fun and lingering. The sort of songs you hum along to all day. I just wish these guys were bigger in the USA but if their next albums are like this one I don't think it will be long before they are!!

I have to be honest I only bought the album because of "Dancing in the Moonlight" which is played all the time in Stockholm where I am living. I was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the album. It is really enjoyable, and really fresh compared to all the watered-down Pop we are saturated with on the radio these days!

One of the best (or possibly the best album) I have bought and heard in a long time. If you like 70's tunes then you should fall over backwards to listen to this beauty!!

Theres three hit singles on the album - 'just hold on', 'dancing in the moonlight' (wicked song) and 'achilles heel' (a bit slow but good never the less)! The rest of the songs on the album (all nine of them) aren't very popular or well known but nevertheless they sound sooo familar - there the type of songs which you want to sing along to even though you've never heard them before and don't know the words! A real classic of an album. Definately worth a buy. Happy listening!!!

honestly speaking, i bought this cd basically bacause i like the single "dancing in the moonlight". i find that toploader is different from most of the other british bands, in terms of their lyrics, appearance and even their music. i mean, hey, no offence but it seems to me that lately there's just too many british bands around that looks the same, sing the same way(usually in an irritating nasal voice) and generally same everything. they're so interchangeable that it is hard for me to differentiate who and what is on the radio. not only that, most of them are using the same formula over and over again that it's hard to appreciate music that they make. erm... a little like the boyband phenomenon (woops!!!). well toploader is different all together. while there are no denying of its obvious origins, toploader managed to make a statement in the britpop scene without sounding like a copy of the other acts around. i especially like their laidback piano tinkling and the 70's influence in their sounds and yet they are totally original. my other favourite song includes "archilles' heel", "breathe" and the bathtub song or something... archilles' heel is a really really brilliant piece of work, the lyrics is topnotch and the music just captures the emotional nuances of the lyrics and washbourn's voice is one of the best i have encountered lately. onka's big moka is a great album, and especially since it's a debut. i can see that toploader has much to offer and it seems they are heading up, up and up.

A friend of mine mailed me a bootleg taped copy of this thing and now I HAD to buy it on cd! I haven't heard anything this amazing since the first time I heard INXS. They're not like INXS, though. I can't really classify them, but the music just feels good in my head in a way few things ever can. "Achilles Heel" is amazingly intelligent and an incredible song. I was able to enjoy "Dancing in the Moonlight" despite my absolute hatred of Van Morrison. This music will make you feel good like listening to Erasure or Pet Shop Boys, though they're not nearly so lightweight nor are they a dance band. Unique, incredible, just listen!

Close your eyes and imagine that you are hearing bad Elton John outtakes performed by former members of Frankie Goes To Hollywood in a basement with bad wood paneling - now you've got Toploader! How could anyone blow a cover of the classic King Harvest tune "Dancing In The Moonlight?" Avoid this one and take your Mom to Denny's for dinner.

This album gets better every time I listen to it, my favourites seem to be a bit different to most peoples - "Just about you" being first on my list, with "breathe", "higher state" and "high flying bird" being up there as well. I bought it without hearing any of the tracks first, and I think it's great. The band is not very well known here in the UK with this being their first album, but don't let that stop you guys from buying it - it rocks. A few mellow songs on it and a few rocking songs, a good mix.