The Toms debut album was released in 1979 and remains one of the great Power Pop albums. Regular featuring in lists of the best ever albums in the genre. Marolda has been around since. I make this his 10th album of new material and 20 years of that included a break from recording.
The Toms have never ever released a duff note. There has been a shift in direction, particularly since 2022's Stereo. There are glimpses of Power Pop, here you have It's Personal, but The Toms now inhabit a world somewhere between Indie Pop and Pop Rock.
Studio advancements mean that the production quality has risen greatly and this allows the diversions sound great. Beautifully produced and particularly synth and beat enhanced. However Marolda hasn't lost his vocal quality, the pipes sound in as great shape as ever.
The songs are beautifully arranged and land equally in Modern Studio Pop and 80s Indie Pop. These arrangements are complex, both instrumentally and vocally, but the melody count is very high. Songs that you, your kids and grandkids can sing along to.
It is totally admirable that The Toms have moved with the times without ever losing the melody and poptastic nature of the songs. Here are 12 songs that are maybe a little bit more commercial that you may be used to, but Cloud Nine 11 is a big reminder of what makes Marolda great and essential 45 years on.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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