(Bag Of Toys)

Another band that’s been making plenty of noise on MySpace.

With this cutely-named follow-up album (their first was called Nooner), San Francisco’s Bag Of Toys continue with their idea of kick-back music that’s best captured in their album artwork, a palm tree in the centre of a beer bottle cap. They define their stuff as acoustic surf music, which is as good a way as any to describe their laidback, good-time, easy-on-the-ear simplicity. Typical of what this four-piece does is the sunny, smiley pop-reggae of Everybody Says and How You Gonna. Even a track that seems to have the potential for disturbance – Burn It Down – comes with that same soothing semi-reggae sway, while Rollin’ has them detouring into a little country, equally friendly but with twangier, surprisingly electric guitar. Apart from straightforward but measured drums and bass providing a necessary anchor, they also flesh out the songs on occasion with trumpet and Hammond organ. Throw in some balmy beach feels evoked by a relaxed strum ‘n’ stroll on a couple of guitars and breezy singalong vocals, and it’s a wonder Jack Johnson hasn’t signed them to his label – or would that be typecasting?

BILL HOLDSWORTH

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