I was already giddy when I heard that Shiny Toy Guns, one of my favorite current bands, was coming to our Northalsted Market Days August 13 at 8:30 p.m.), but really over the moon when I heard Carah Faye Charnow, the original girl half of the vocals, was back in the band after their toxic Season of Poison album in 2008 with a replacement lead singer. Seasons was a dismal and uninspired sequel to their debut album, We Are Pilots (featuring the hits “Le Disko,” “You Are The One,” “Rainy Monday”) and sent many of their fans away wondering what happened to the exuberant young band with so much promise, already crumbling and turning out a shadow of their last album.
Well, they’re back in case you were wondering and from the sound of their first single, they haven’t missed a beat! Carah rightfully starts off the track, with co-vocalist Chad Petree following—as it should be—then taking the chorus with tinges of Coldplay’s Chris Martin like we’ve never heard before. If you liked “Rainy Monday” as opposed to “Le Disko,” the track goes right back to their original dance rock sound of “Rainy,” but this time a bit more dance/electronic while keeping the powerful power pop punch that makes them beloved in the first place.
Rumor has it that they’ll be previewing some of the new material at Market Days like they did at Phoenix Pride where they debuted “Stay Down.” But if you can’t wait until fall for their new album, you can get their new single AND a hot Human League-reminiscent remix over at danceaboutarc.wordpress.com. And if you have any debate as to Sophie’s Choice-ing between them, Sixteen Candles and Rock Candy—all playing on different stages, same time—remember: Prince Poppycock opens, you saw Rock and 16 already this year, and most importantly, Moose told you to. See you there, girl.