the Toasters
Grand Emporium
April 26, 1999

Review by Danny Alexander

The generic reggae band can work like a narcotic, and many ska bands seem amphetimine-charged and emotionally empty, all of which is terribly ironic considering what a spirited, soulful heart connects ska to reggae. You can find Bob Marley in the dictionary--never dull, always real.

The Toasters' April 26th set proved that they get this. This eight piece--two saxes, trumpet, keys, guitar, bass, drums, and, yes, a toaster--NYC band infuses its fastest ska with grassfire guitar that burns out fresh ground with each refrain. The band's mid-tempo reggae is deep world blues, and when the band tackles War's "Lowrider" with a hip hop twist, its solid emotional core makes it work. Muted trumpet and wild keyboard solos add subtleties of color to a mix that rocks without a trace of vitality or genre-posing.

The Toasters

The crowd loved it, dancing all through the set and right up onto the stage as the night came to a close.

--Danny Alexander