Toad the Wet Sprocket

One of the The D Man's most memorable dates (with his future wife) was seeing Toad the Wet Sprocket in concert. We hit the H.O.R.D.E. Festival (how's that for some 90s nostalgia?) in Park City and procured spots next to the stage for the Santa Barbara band's opening set. We saw the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Primus, and Neil Young & Crazyhorse. Mid-day, Neil even treated festival-goers to an impromptu solo acoustic set in between all of the booths selling hemp and world peace. We listened to "Heart of Gold" right next to him sitting on his stool. But the best part of the day: hearing Glen Phillips and company live. That, and my super hot date.

Toad the Wet Sprocket is as uncool, unedgy, and underappreciated as a band can get, even during the height of their 90s run. They are embarrasingly earnest with letter-perfect arrangements that hover somewhere between pop and softer shades of rock. Despite (or maybe because of) those qualifiers, they are a terrific band. Their straightforward sense of songcraft belies the intricate interplay of their chorus hooks and noteworthy timing and delivery. This is to say nothing of Phillips' pleasing voice (which we decided last night doesn't sound like anyone else, and we meant that as the highest of compliments). Toad the Wet Sprocket might not impress your uber-cool friends. But your Mom will like them. Because they are pretty damn good.

Rizzo and The D Man enjoyed a great set from the approachable band. (Don't worry, still married to my festival mate, but Mrs. D Man just happened to be out of town). The band played in downtown SLC as part of a summer festival concert series. During the set, Phillips announced--much to my delight--that they would be recording their first new album in almost fifteen years. (The group's absence was less of a breakup and more of a hiatus to raise families and explore other opportunities). The band as always sounded clean and crisp--it was something of a professional clinic in precision musicmaking.

• Something's Always Wrong. Phillips has a knack for singing depressing lyrics that still make you feel hopeful, even buoyant. The same goes for the band's excellent down-tempo numbers, which they mostly dispensed with for the summer crowd.
• What I Fear the Most.
• Fly From Heaven. Paul is making me nervous. Paul is making me scared.
• Crowing. Someone recently asked me what I thought was the most underrated album of the 1990s. Dulcinea was the first record that came to mind, although I'm sure there are plenty of others. This pretty song is an illustration of the band's overarching willingness to impart its melodic gifts, its belief in a shared goodness. The D Man is certain that writing a song like this is not nearly as easy as it sounds.
• Good Intentions.
• Inside.
• Windmills. I spend too much time raiding windmills. Still one of my favorite songs in their catalog. I love the wide-open, wind-blown metaphors. Is this an insight into the Quixotic quest for the pale-faced Dulcinea? Or is it something more personal? Hearing this reminded me again of how much this band meant to me.
• Is It For Me. The exuberant guitars and chorus climax sounded first-rate. Made me happy.
• New Song. The two new songs sounded terrific. The first was a slide-guitar backed number with a driving, woozy feel to it. The second was a little groovier, a kind of heavy jam that still retained the band's cohesive vibe.
• New Song.
• Come Back Down.
• Nightingale Song. The hardcore fans still go crazy when the tambourine comes out.
• Finally Fading. This track from Phillips' solo album was a nice change of pace.
• Crazy Life.
• All I Want. Confessing everythiiiiiiiing. As Phillips tuned his guitar before playing, I remembered how this song was actually a last-minute addition to Fear because the band was unsure about its unique tuning. Turned out to be one their biggest hits.
• Brother.
• Fall Down.
• Come Down.
• Ziggy.
• Walk On the Ocean. Could a song like this even get airplay on today's radio? Without any notes to introduce the song, the opening lyrics still shine like the ray of hope they were meant to be.