Steadfast Records – 03 Mar 2023
Toilet Rats hit the ground sludgin’ with the grimy, post new-wave trust fall IV.
The >20 minute LP IV by Minneapolis’ solo act Toilet Rats opens with “Haunted House,” sixteenth note moog digs and organic drums wrapping perfectly around spooky squares and R. Smith quality delivery from lone member and producer Tommy Rehbein. While this lays the groundwork for the entire session, it is the knitting between the opener to “Carol Kane” that truly showcases the arsenal of nuanced guitar effects and drum filters brilliantly placed throughout each song. This brainwork is where any blatant continuity is slapped in the face with a refreshing pang that completes the overall scope of the piece.
“Clap Back” glows with an infectious fuzz and moog hooks, while “Drug Bird” draws from classic Ramones style punk simplicity. “Black Box Recorder” crams enough complicated guitar-chord structure and complimentary bass riffs to enter alternative rock territory, but are neatly buttoned shut with a chorus of cleverly placed vocoder and long delay on Rehbein’s vocals.
“Nessie” is a very special moment on the record, a bare bones punk rock tune about Scottish folklore with robo-drums, -vox, and all of the fuzz. The flanged drums to “Larva” only introduce yet another layer, unearthing a sarcophagi of synth leads onto a kitchen sink of digital percussion. “Sensory Overload” somehow out-fuzzes all previously mentioned tracks, speeding an anxiety attack over a backbone of handclap samples and indigo pulses. “Oskar and Eli” have no choice but to pull the tempo back a little ways, but with a gigantic crunchy chorus and guest vocals from Pumpkin Guts, the energy level is far from fizzled.
One of the very best qualities of this record is how easily Rehbein is able to yank you between the project not taking itself too seriously, to his long-honed expertise to the craft, taking your emotions elsewhere, and beyond. Closer “Walk The Earth” is a great example, hoisting what could emulate a Duran Duran or Flock of Seagulls power-epic on top of nitty-gritty punk rock, complete with a “Get back to the chopper!” hook, that feels just as natural as it is symbiotic to the gorgeous mix, nostalgious heart-strings, and Tommy’s wonderful brain.
The audio engineering ratio of appreciative low-fi to sonic cleanliness is an ongoing juggling act in such a digital age, but IV navigates the balance with ease, and the result is a killer, timeless journey that only gets better after each listen. Wonderful listen.
Host of “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?,” punk rock dad, OILER from the future, oh and my biggest fears are cold poo on my face when I’m sleeping, and spiders that walk on water. Jacket enthusiast, astrological sign.
