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Street Dogs - State of Grace

Even though Toys That Kill have successfully released two full lengths by themselves, this EP from Asian Man Records was my first dose of this San Pedro group, which formed from the ashes of FYP. In a nutshell, their music sounds like an updated and revamped version of a more "classic" punk sound. Within these four tracks, you'll hear abrupt tempo changes, metallic and chunky guitars, and anthemic choruses.

Musically, each song has a life of its own. While each track has an underlying sense of aggression, Toys That Kill isn't afraid to slow things down when necessary, like on "I Am the Fly", which is arguably the best track on the EP. While the lead singer has a very distinctive voice, at times he also sounds slightly like Beck and Blue Meanies' frontman Billy Spunke.

Overall, this is a very impressive EP. It features four tracks from a band that given the right exposure could be huge. If you're sick of the generic assembly line of Hot Topic mall punk bands to come out recently, definitely give Toys That Kill a listen. They're innovative, original, and just plain great. You won't get bored with this band.



People who liked this also liked:
All State Champion - Is It Nothing To YouThe Weakerthans - Reconstruction SiteThe Weakerthans - FallowJawbreaker - BivouacJesu - SilverCleveland Bound Death Sentence - Cleveland Bound Death SentenceBracket - RequiemRise Against - The Sufferer & the WitnessIgnite - Our Darkest DaysToys That Kill - Control The Sun



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    Posted by SammyVicious on 2007-09-25 17:19:54
    My Score:

    They're songs are ok but they're attitude sucks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 8:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Everyone click this link and then the number it tells you to click.

    My Army!

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 7, 2004 at 4:06 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    poor baby

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 7, 2004 at 8:37 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    played with these folk in Connecticut. all i have to say is the guys in Toys That Kill are assholes.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 6, 2004 at 4:26 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Seemed like the guy was more concerned with spitting in the air and catching it. Maybe they had an off night, I don't know"

    a listener of music who wants the band to have fun only if they are having fun should be in he music business, not in-to music.

    wyzo

    Posted by Mr_Pink on 2004-03-05 18:58:50
    My Score:

    I wasn't impressed when I saw them with D4. Seemed like the guy was more concerned with spitting in the air and catching it. Maybe they had an off night, I don't know. They did pick up on the fact that nobody was into them. I'd be interested in hearing this for the Wire cover alone.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 5, 2004 at 12:55 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Okayish.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at 8:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this is the best band out there right now!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at 6:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Jimmy is the worst. He rakes.

    Posted by CrankWillDestroy on 2004-03-04 16:36:04
    My Score:

    great band. control the sun is a rockin lp. i do like fyp , but i think toys that kill has a much different and more 'mature' sound. I hope a D4/TTK split will be released in the near future.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at 3:32 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    when you close your eyes for the big sleep, will you think of me?

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 8:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    That was completely horrible. You have no range whatsoever.

    Simon Cowell

    Posted by lushj on 2004-03-03 20:47:50
    My Score:

    Just got this, it's pretty rockin- a natural companion to their GREAT "Control The Sun" LP/CD on Recess. That record was one of my favorite records of 2003 too! Great band live as well, we've been lucky enough to play with them a bunch of times.
    Re: the WIRE cover on this ep, "I Am The Fly" is one of my favorite WIRE tunes, and TTK do a rad, slightly off-kilter version of it.
    P.S.- You can't compare FYP to TTK, the latter is chunkier and more rock punk, while the former is speedier and fuzzier and more lo-fi. Personally, I think TOYS THAT KILL are even better than FYP.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 4:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Great band. Sucks I missed them when I saw D4 and the Larry Arms...
    Has anyone read the FYP review on here? Everyone was talking shit about them then, but apparantly like them now...

    ...evildeadalive

    Posted by REALPUNX4LIFE on 2004-03-03 15:54:25
    My Score:

    Actually, it's a bad cover of the Wire song. The other songs are rockin' good, though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 1:29 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good E.P. and a so-so review. "I Am The
    Fly" is a great cover of the Wire song. This is easily one of the best bands going today.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 1:24 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I loved FYP and this band!

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 1:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    thier full length was one of my favourite c.d.'s of last year. This band should be getting bigger soon. try recess records for MP3's

    Posted by boldredletters on 2004-03-03 11:13:10
    My Score:

    this band is really good live, anyway.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 6:07 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Good band.
    Such a shame the show in Pomona got cancelled last Fridee due to...well, venue-shut down. It woulda been my first.
    -MATEO D'CAY

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 10:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    good review.

    Posted by lieutenant on 2004-03-02 22:36:47
    My Score:

    I liked this review. Let's hug.

    Posted by gladimnotemo on 2004-03-02 21:45:58
    My Score:

    This sounds very promising. Is there anywhere I can get an MP3 at?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 7:43 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    asianman rules, i get to see the Polysics this saturday, so stoked

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 7:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I love that Todd never takes of his beanie, even if it's 100' in Chicago in August.

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