Customer Reviews

Rubberneck

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Toadies got a lot of airplay with "Possum Kingdom," and Rubberneck is one of those rare albums where every track is as strong as the hit single. Mixed by Andy Wallace, who has worked for Nirvana and numerous other "alternative" bands, this album is tightly crafted rock. The songs vary in intensity and tempo, but all of them are great. Anyone who listens to hard rock knows that often the slower songs on an album are inferior to the rest. Perhaps it is because of the singer's strong vocals, but for whatever reason even the slow songs are cool.

At times they sing about the same topics as usual--screwed up relationships, depression, etc--but with more passion and energy than the typical band. But much of the album is devoted to more unusual material: vampirism, evolution, heresy.

No matter what the lyrics are about, the music and vocals are so awesome you won't care what they're singing about. The lead singer has a unique, emotive voice which is prominent throughout most of the songs. They also have a fantastic song on the Crow: City Of Angels Soundtrack. The song is "Paper Dress" and it is incredibly powerful.

Overall, this is an incredible album that fans of groups like Nirvana (aggressive post-punk rock) and Live (with its catchy hooks and emotional vocals) must check out.

OK, first things first: This album rocks. Heavy melodic riffs and a great moody singer. Great first album, too bad the second was so mediocre. Todd Lewis, the singer, is currently with Burden Brothers, a Dallas area band who puts on a great live show.

On to my point: "Possum Kingdom" is not about vampires, despite what goth fanboys want to believe. (...)

"The kids have been coming up and telling us that the song fits with all this Vampire stuff, but we didn't even get that. We actually have gotten these vampire-looking people at the shows. I think that we were oblivious to vampire references. Actually, it's just a ghost story. "Possum Kingdom" is a lake by our houses in Texas. You know, in Texas you hang out with your family and tell these ghost stories that are kinda, almost true. People believe those folk tales, and that was one of them. Or, it was based on one and we just took it somewhere else."

I think by "ghost story" she's referring to one of those "this guy raped and killed a bunch of girls here" stories told around a campfire.

Anyway, buy this album. I've had to buy three, since I keep lending it out and not getting it back....

This Toadies album is an all time favorite of mine. It is a shame that only Possum Kingdom was recognized as this whole cd was phenominal. I think the Toadies will have a hard time topping this album.

In college, this was me and my crew's staple. We first found them through a friend who had seen them play small clubs in the Texas scene. Eventually we watched as they became minor Buzz band stars thanks to MTV and the "alternative" movement of the early 90's. The band simply rocks. They write great lyrics, which range from creepy story telling, to introspective, hurt looks at lost faith. Todd Lewis' voice has a desperate urgency that keeps you holding on for more. This album will stand the test of time. It was without a doubt one of the best of the 90's. And if you ever had the chance to see them live, you experinced the energy, talent and realness that made them a fan favorite. Rest in peace Toadies.

This album is alive: it pushes, drives, twists, and turns all over. The vocals convey the despair, fear, frustration, and elation of the lyrics, and force you to have some emotional reaction. There is such a strong power in the guitar, bass, and drums that just makes you feel like the songs are really moving. The thick guitar is awesome. This album feels just like a classic hard rock album from the 70s. Basically, this album is awesome. It energizes you. The lyrics make you think; the vocals force you to become aware of the raw, animalistic emotions inherent in all of us. This is a must have album for anyone that likes rock music.

What can I say about an album that is as wonderful as this? Should I start with the forcefully driving guitar playing? or should I stick to the story line lyrics? Songs that seem to range from the old stand by of love gone wrong (Quitter, Tyler) to the definitely unusual topics of baptism, evolution and the inquistion (Backslider, I come from the water, and I burn respectively). Todd seems to rush a new twist on all of these ideas at you with the force of a freight train. It makes you just want to stand up and move -- that's not a strong enough word but you'll understand if you get this album. One of the best that I have ever heard.

At first I bought this CD explicitly for Possum Kingdom, but as my CD player looped through the CD I realized that EVERY song on this CD majorly kicks *ss. This has been my favorite CD since the first time I heard it and I still enjoy listening to the songs after hearing them soooo many times. BUY THIS CD!

Rubberneck is a quality grunge album with great vocals and killer guitar riffs. Most of the songs on there can really get your adreneline going. If you liked the grunge era and like fast-paced hard rock, then I can guarentee you'll love this album. Some key tracks on there include Possum Kingdom, Tyler, Mr. Love, I Come From the Water, and I Burn.

This is simply one of the best rock records to come out of the '90s. The sound is huge and bone crushing; Todd Lewis's vocals are spot on (great pitch for a rock vocalist); the guitar parts are amazing (love the whammy indulgence throughout--unusual for a '90s "alternative" record); and the songs just slam! My favorites would be Mister Love, Backslider, When I'm Away, I Come From the Water. . . Oh, heck, why bother? Every song on here is great. That's about it.

I had the fortune to see the Toadies open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1996 in L.A. - I have been hooked ever since. Rubberneck is about as heavy as it gets - the unforgettable melodies interlaced with the heavy, crunching guitars along with V. (Vampire? hmmm...) Todd Lewis' piercing vocals make for an entire album's worth of great songs. The songs' subjects allow for a lot of interpretation, from the vampire-themed "Possum Kingdom" to "Tyler", a story of love gone a little too far. Dark and haunting, Rubberneck is a must for anyone who appreciates a hard-edged but totally listenable album that has true staying power.

For those more curious about the band and their sound, the only other CD of theirs I have been able to find is called Pleather, a 5-song (1 extra track) EP of VERY rough cuts of 3 songs off of Rubberneck as well as 2 unreleased tracks. Check it out - it's definitely worth having if you like Rubberneck.

What can I say? Rubberneck kicks @$$, check it out! Laterz....