Onka's Big Monka - Toploader

Toploader at first glance seem an original band with a different style of music, but this sadly is not the case. Toploader are most widely known for their single "Dancing in the Moonlight". At first this is seems a decent song with a catchy melody and chorus but does get a bit tedious over time. But to the point, Toploader did not write "Dancing in the Moonlight" and in fact it was first a single in the 1970s. I found this out by searching on the internet (Napster) for the song and coming up with some surprising results. The original version of this song was sung by a band called King Harvest. After listening to this song, I found that it ...  Read the complete review

I first heard Toploader at a Paul Weller concert a year or two ago, and whilst there I bought their "High Flying Bird" EP. Since then, barely a day has gone by that I haven't thought "I can't wait for their debut album!" The EP was really that good. The waiting has been a strange experience, as I have witnessed the releases of Achilles Heel, and Let The People Know barely even scratch the charts - such amazing songs yet no success - why? Early this year they released Dancing In The Moonlight, which I felt was not their usual style (they didn't write it) and not upto the standard of previous songs. However, this song was the first ...  Read the complete review

Everyone who has not already done so should go out and buy a copy of this album. Not because it is an extremely good album, but because of it's title. Every CD collection should have an album entitled 'Onka's big Moka' nestled amongst it's ranks. I've no idea who or what an Onka is, and as for a Moka, I'm not sure I even want to know! Still, it is such a cool title! Certainly beats such inspired creations such as 'Steptacular' and 'Britney'! So, it's got a cool title, but is the album any good, well in a word, yes. I'm on a bit of a roll at the moment with album purchases. the last two albums I have ...  Read the complete review

Infinitely less mannered than a lot of current indie-ish bands, blending rock with a self-confident caucasian hijack of soul / gospel / funk rhythms and techniques, 'Onka's Big Moka' is a scorchingly good album. Leave aside the familiar and quite outstandingly catchy 'Dancing in the Moonlight', which will be circulating your mind like an escaped tiger for days - surely you know that's good. But the rest of the album is just as good. Each track has verve and energy to put the plastic enthusiasm of innumerable pop acts instantly to shame. Joseph Washbourn's piano and the high-pitched choruses (especially on 'Breathe' ...  Read the complete review

Unlike most of today's bands, the Toploader boys from Eastbourne can make great music and are really down to Earth. The album contains 'Dancing in the Moonlight' and 'Achilles Heel', which in my humble opinion is justification enough to buy it, and other greats like 'Let the People Know' and 'Do You What Your Future Will Hold?' among others. Unfortunately, there are a few songs around the middle of the track that aren't as the good as the rest, but when compared to the others "Onka's Big Moka" really is a great debut album from a great new band. ...  Read the complete review