Toad The Wet Sprocket "New Constellation"

I was completely bummed when this band broke up in 1998.  They hit their stride with Fear and Dulcinea in the early 90's but the last album in '97 showed the stress that closed the door.  I wasn't surprised to see them announced to play Velvet Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel last year as they had a history of soft reformations over the years since.  My guess is they needed a cash infusion.  What I WAS surprised at was the news that this show was featuring music from a "forthcoming release."  I seriously considered making the show to hear how fifteen years would change the dynamic but instead opted to buy the record.

And what was different?  Not a damn thing.  This album could fit right in with anything they did before.  Same everything.  It's pop perfection but unfortunately, comes off a bit contrived.  The songs piece together all the elements from their early years; the great vocals, the hooky lyrics, jangly guitars, and create a song-by-numbers blueprint that's certainly listenable but not necessarily memorable.  One of the songs I'm going to keep turns out to be the most current focus track.  To my ear, it's what's considered country today and if I were the guys I'd sell that sumbitch to Zac Brown or the guys of FL-GA Line and watch it chart.  The band had a contest for fan-created lyric videos so here I've chosen the one with the smallest number of views to date...



The song that's a genuine smash hit is track 9.  It's a short, sweet three minutes and change called Life Is Beautiful.  Go find it and come back here and tell me I'm wrong...you won't be able to do it.  
     
I went back through my TTWS cds for a spin and I've decided those will suffice, though I'll add the two songs mentioned and maybe a couple more.  Want something safe?  Ever a big fan of their work?  You owe it a try...