DESCRIPTION:
Banda: Toy Factory
Album: ST (1970)
Origem: Estados Unidos
Gravadora: AVCO Embassy - AVLP 7014


Though we haven't been able to track down much bibliographical information on this late-60s bi-racial outfit, we think they were from Long Island, New York. From the liner notes on their LP we can also tell you Greg Weiss was the lead singer and was responsible for writing roughly half the material. The rest of the line up consisted of bassist Bill, guitarist Billy, drummer Joey and keyboard player Sal (great detail there).
Produced by Bernie Lawrence, the majority of 1970's "Toy Factory" found the band trying to fight their way through rather faceless MOR pop. Lead singer Greg Weiss had a decent voice, but on tracks such as "What Is Youth", "To Live or Die" and "Honey, Forever" he employed an irritating faux-English accent that recalled Davy Jones (he sounds like David Hemmings to me Bad Cat!!!). He also had an irritating habit of throwing mock sobs and groans into the mix ("When I'm with You" and "Honey Forever"). Strike three were the occasional French lyrics (don't pick on the French Bad Cat!!!) he tossed into the mix ("To Live or Die" and "Honey Forever"). Curiously, the band was at their best when they cut loose and go for a harder rock sound. In this case, the pseudo-psychedelic "No Rhyme To Orange" (sporting a nice fuzz guitar solo) and "Things" was a nifty slice of blue-eyed soul. "Summertime" also found the band turning in one of the weirdest George Gershwin covers we've ever heard (pretty decent guitar here too Bad Cat!!!). This one certainly won't change your life, but it's one of those period failures that's worth checking out. (Tyme Machine Blog)