The Grouchy Gaijin's Thoughts on Music and Such

The Toby Roktot Band

 

 

I got an email from Toby Roktot asking me to take a listen to their album Live in Alice. I thought right away I might like this band. Toby started out saying that he'd read my other reviews and was ready to be blasted – he said his band had been panned by a lot of other reviewers and I could join in the pile on.

 

That says a lot. Toby has balls and he believes in what he is doing enough to keep putting it out there. Toby, for the record I don't think I'm harsh – I think I'm honest. If you are asking someone to shell out 10.00 to 15.00 bucks for your album it should be worth it. Case in point the Wandas' album New Wave Blues is one of the worst albums I've ever heard. It isn't worth two cents in my opinion.

 

With that I took a listen to the album Live in Alice which was recorded at a show in Alice Springs Australia. The band is comprised of four brothers:

Toby Roktot – vocals and guitar (Toby sings most if not all of the songs on this album.)

Mike Roktot – vocals and bass

Javi Roktot – drums

Robby Roktot – lead guitar

I like this album. I like this band. Would I pay ten bones for this album? Yeah, I think I would. Would I go see them play a show. Yes and I hope they come to Sweden so I can. It's not all peaches and cream though. I like their music, but the vocals bugged me a bit. Toby can sing, but the stuff might sound better with a different singer.

So what kind of music is this? Pretty much straight up rock and roll. I like that. There is no preaching or political message. Nothing bugs me more than some guy hitting me over the head with his political beliefs as if he were some sort of sage just because he can strum a guitar. Toby Roktot's music reminds me of John Mellencamp without all the political crap thrown in.

I like their guitar a lot. Robby can play and the band has enough sense to let him have room to do his thing. I really like the slide guitar on the track titled Rumble Tonight. I also think the rhythm section is right on – the bottom is there and the drummer keeps time. What else can you ask for? If you are looking for complicated Jazz/Rock keep looking. If you want snide commentary by a socially enlightened wind bag out to inflict Social Justice on the world keep looking. If however you want a solid rock and roll album by a band with an ax man that can wail and a band that is having a blast go ahead and fork over the cash for this one.

 

I've put up a couple of MP3s from the album (with their permission). Check them out below.

Shallow Love - a country jam.  I dig this song.

See You At The Chip - about the party in Sturgis.

A Little  Bend - listen closely right after the guitar solo you can hear Toby tell his brother good job.  (It is a good solo.)

 

Grouch rating 3.5 scowls out of 5 - a very solid effort.

Comments (1)

The Live in Alice review

1 Sunday, 29 November 2009 11:13

The Toby Roktot Band

Thanks Grouch,
And to anyone reading the review in the Grouch's website: Send us your address and we'll send you a 'Live-n-Alice' cd.
Honest, no strings!
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