I need another CD player 'cos this album is stuck in mine! (Onka's Big Monka - Toploader)

Member Name: chizel

Product:	Onka's Big Monka - Toploader
Date:	11/05/01 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent songs and catchy tune

Disadvantages: None

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 to get any serious airplay and really hit the charts, which was great because it felt like Toploader had finally "arrived." What's more, the more I heard the song, the more addicted I became to it - it's fantastic. I read that it's an old song and is actually the lead singer's favourite song of all-time. Then, a couple of months later, Achilles Heel got a re-release, and everyone was ready to give it a chance this time around. Of course, almost everyone who heard the song said it was one of the best songs in recent memory, so Achilles Heel really got the public fired up for the debut Album, Onka's Big Moka...which is fantastic!

It's soooo full of raw energy; the lead singer puts everything he has into the songs, so much energy that it can feel electric at times. You really feel that they're all having a fantastic time playing their music, which is generally pretty happy, making it great summer fare. I have many favourites, but almost any listener would be gripped right from the start with the energetic Let The People Know (seems like a perfect song to listen to while running...although I habven't tried it, being a lazy...person).

I guess Achilles Heel is the most accomplished pop/rock song here, and Only For A While is one of the most ama
zing ballads I've heard for ages, but there's generally something for everyone. There seems to be 2 main groups of people who buy the album - those who bought it for Dancing In the Moonlight and those who bought it for Achilles Heel.

Usually lovers of Dancing cite Summer Cycle, High Flying Bird and Only For A While as their favourites, whereas the Achilles fans (the largest group) seems to like Let The People Know, Breathe, and Just About Living as their favourites. Either way, you won't be disappointed - the vocals are fantastic, the musicianship is awesome, and the songs are so perfectly arranged, they're pretty much faultless...except for High Flying Bird, which, while still a great song, was far, far better in it's original state, and most people may never get the pleasure of hearing, unfortunately. Still, one of the best albums I've heard for a good while - it takes considerable effort to put in another CD!

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