The Toy Dolls- The Singles (2CD set)
Before putting down as much as one word of review on the punk-pop fun and loveable nonsense of The Toy Dolls (still going strong today under the guidance of founder, singer-guitarist and songwriter Michael "Olga" Algar), we need to discuss the elephant in the room; one we all know very well…
'Nellie The Elephant' (a raucous rendition of the 1956 children’s song) was such an ear-wormery Top of the Pops chart success (#4 in 1984) that, outside of The Toy Dolls fanbase, it’s quite possibly the only song you know, or have heard, from the fun loving punks.
If that be the case then you’ve missed out on some absolute pop-punk gems, packed full of quirk, cleverness and cheeky charm.
Good news then that The Singles collection, collating all 37 tracks the band released as singles (A-sides, B-sides, EP tracks) including half-a-dozen re-records or variants (such as the original 1982 version of 'Nellie The Elephant' and a live version from 1990) allows both fans of the band and those unfamiliar with their catalogue to relive or discover their complete 1980-2000 singles history, a number of which were non-album tracks.
It's also a reminder that The Toy Dolls were hardly ever out of the Independent Charts during their 80s heyday. Top 10 and Top 20 Independent Chart successes included 'Cheerio & Toodle Pip' (think a punk version of Peter Cook & Dudley Moore’s 'Goodbye-ee'), 'Alfie From The Bronx' (with lull-you-into-false-sense-of-security opening), the fittingly titled 'We’re Mad,' the brilliant double-oh daftness of 'James Bond (Lives Down Our Street)' and the big chorus cries of 'Geordie’s Gone To Jail,' here complete with the Japanese language version B-side, which has to be heard to be believed.
Special mention too for first ever single and this collection’s lead-off song 'Tommy Kowey’s Car,' a fast-paced slice of punky-pop fun. The single was limited to a run of 500 pressings and, as such, is now a very sought after and expensive collector’s item.
Equally notable is the punk 'n' roll B-side, 'She Goes to Finos;' the song became such a fan favourite that it remains in the band’s live set to this day (a re-recorded version would be released as an A-Side in 1985, which leads off CD2).
Beyond that 7" debut and on through to 2000 and last to date single, a stonking kazoo and guitar driven cover of Ricky Martin’s chart topping 'Livin’ La Vida Loca,' you’ll find a host of punk-nuggets that never fail to make you tap your foot, smile, or even laugh out loud at the punkabsurdity of it all, led by Olga’s distinct vocal style (somewhere between Norman Wisdom & Joe Pasquale, had they been punks from South Shields).
Such nuggets include the 100mph 'Dig That Groove Baby,' the utterly mental 'Hanky Panky,' 'Turtle Crazy' (a 'football crazy' styled rework/ homage to the then massive popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and two further covers – a recognisable take on the Small Faces 'Lazy Sunday Afternoon' (sung by the band’s then drummer Marty) and an almost unrecognisable one of the 'Rupert The Bear' theme.
Accompanied by a full colour, 24 page booklet (including detailed notes on the tracks and pictures of all the releases, many of which are now ultra rare collectors’ items) The Singles collection reminds and reconfirms that The Toy Dolls can trumpet about a lot more than one novelty/ hit single.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The Singles will be released on April 12th on the Captain Oi! label/ Cherry Red Records.
'Nellie The Elephant' (a raucous rendition of the 1956 children’s song) was such an ear-wormery Top of the Pops chart success (#4 in 1984) that, outside of The Toy Dolls fanbase, it’s quite possibly the only song you know, or have heard, from the fun loving punks.
If that be the case then you’ve missed out on some absolute pop-punk gems, packed full of quirk, cleverness and cheeky charm.
Good news then that The Singles collection, collating all 37 tracks the band released as singles (A-sides, B-sides, EP tracks) including half-a-dozen re-records or variants (such as the original 1982 version of 'Nellie The Elephant' and a live version from 1990) allows both fans of the band and those unfamiliar with their catalogue to relive or discover their complete 1980-2000 singles history, a number of which were non-album tracks.
It's also a reminder that The Toy Dolls were hardly ever out of the Independent Charts during their 80s heyday. Top 10 and Top 20 Independent Chart successes included 'Cheerio & Toodle Pip' (think a punk version of Peter Cook & Dudley Moore’s 'Goodbye-ee'), 'Alfie From The Bronx' (with lull-you-into-false-sense-of-security opening), the fittingly titled 'We’re Mad,' the brilliant double-oh daftness of 'James Bond (Lives Down Our Street)' and the big chorus cries of 'Geordie’s Gone To Jail,' here complete with the Japanese language version B-side, which has to be heard to be believed.
Special mention too for first ever single and this collection’s lead-off song 'Tommy Kowey’s Car,' a fast-paced slice of punky-pop fun. The single was limited to a run of 500 pressings and, as such, is now a very sought after and expensive collector’s item.
Equally notable is the punk 'n' roll B-side, 'She Goes to Finos;' the song became such a fan favourite that it remains in the band’s live set to this day (a re-recorded version would be released as an A-Side in 1985, which leads off CD2).
Beyond that 7" debut and on through to 2000 and last to date single, a stonking kazoo and guitar driven cover of Ricky Martin’s chart topping 'Livin’ La Vida Loca,' you’ll find a host of punk-nuggets that never fail to make you tap your foot, smile, or even laugh out loud at the punkabsurdity of it all, led by Olga’s distinct vocal style (somewhere between Norman Wisdom & Joe Pasquale, had they been punks from South Shields).
Such nuggets include the 100mph 'Dig That Groove Baby,' the utterly mental 'Hanky Panky,' 'Turtle Crazy' (a 'football crazy' styled rework/ homage to the then massive popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and two further covers – a recognisable take on the Small Faces 'Lazy Sunday Afternoon' (sung by the band’s then drummer Marty) and an almost unrecognisable one of the 'Rupert The Bear' theme.
Accompanied by a full colour, 24 page booklet (including detailed notes on the tracks and pictures of all the releases, many of which are now ultra rare collectors’ items) The Singles collection reminds and reconfirms that The Toy Dolls can trumpet about a lot more than one novelty/ hit single.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The Singles will be released on April 12th on the Captain Oi! label/ Cherry Red Records.