Keep up at SallyTomatoMe
Hi!
We just released "My Dirty Left Foot" on DVD. It's a fun, music, travel, documentary about our trip to UK, where "Toy Room" won two awards at film festivals. Get it at filmbaby.com or watch it on vimeo.
We also just noticed this nice review of the "Toy Room" soundtrack on thedailyvault.com.
by Ben McVicker (May 2009)
Arguably one of the most pleasing indie releases in recent years, Sally Tomato’s Toy Room is an ambitious and diverse experiment. A rock opera in four acts, it follows the life and development of Sally Tomato, drawing on familiar themes of childhood innocence, the difficult transition to adulthood, and the impact on imagination and personality that comes with it. The standout achievement of Toy Room is the manner in which it blends a rather conventional storyline with a rich and impressive mélange of songs, making for a unique listening experience.
From the opening track, one gets a sense of the band’s creative touch. The bright, crisp tone of guitarist Carlos Severe Marcelin’s introductory notes kicks off the involving “Overture,” a cosmic affair. Sally’s spoken-word narrative and gentle choruses of “In the dark there is only one light / No one can touch me here” draped in recurring vocal effects round out an opening number that instantly draws you in.
The album progresses such a manner that it is near-impossible to place the songs in a generalized category. “Beyond the Stares,” Sally’s account of her childhood sanctuary in the Toy Room, is a gentle, melodic piece, almost like a lullaby. “Bad Seed” kicks off with a wonderfully smooth guitar lick and quickly settles into a catchy groove, nicely carried by some solid drumming courtesy of Eric Flint. The production of this record is quite striking by this point; each instrument packs a great deal of punch, with everything from overdubs to background effects crystal clear in the mix. The last song covering Sally’s childhood years, “No Crying Here,” expands on the vibe of the previous track quite nicely, with the jazzy character of Marcelin’s guitar and Sally’s vocals making a great pairing.
Act 2 is a markedly different affair, musically and thematically, as Sally’a life hits a downward spiral after marrying a white trash husband and being relegated to a life of trailer park living. It’s all a bit deadpan as Sally details her “personal nightmare.” Though lacking the spaciness and variety of Act 1, tracks like “Broken Machine” and “Air” are quite nice. The contrast between Sally’s pouty lyrical reflections on her situation and the upbeat music is well done.
Our main protagonist’s escape from the situation in Act 3 makes for some of the most entertaining tracks on the CD. Things take a much more rockin’ style in “Saturday Night,” while “Night Scene” has the catchiness of Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” with its oddly infectious digital loops and Sally’s galloping, quirky vocals. Act 4, meanwhile, is a dreamweaving collection of songs highlighted by the nine-minutes long “Crowded,” which effectively captures the sense of imagination and unreality associated with childhood.
Save for a spoken narrative that occasionally interrupts the flow of the songs, this is an exceptionally well-crafted album. With its rich array of sounds, sparkling production, and fresh take on old themes, Toy Room is an immensely satisfying work.
Rating: A-
Thanks Ben.
Kisses, Sally.
Sally Tomato's Toy Room, a place in her mind.
This ambitious work of art started as a music cd, evolved into a multimedia stage performance and is now one of the few rock opera
films ever made. In the biographical "Toy Room", American artist Sally Tomato brings together an assemblage of talented performers and
designers to offer a glimpse into the evocative life of this iconoclast.
A colorful cast of memorable characters weave through the richly textured soundscape as the story's timeless theme evolves over the course of four acts.
Awards include an Accolade Award of Excellence (for Feature) and an Award of Merit (for Soundtrack) by the Indie Fest.
"Toy Room" is making its way around the globe, screening at film festivals throughout 2009, and being released early next year. The soundtrack is available now through Burnside Distribution Company or online at various outlets.
Toy Room Press Exerpts
March 2009 - Toy Room wins an Award of Merit for Soundtrack from the Indie Fest.
December 2008 - Toy Room won an Award of Excellence for Feature Film from the Accolade Competition, California.
"songs and vivid production numbers reminiscent of a female-centric version of Tommy." Portland Monthly
"a wake-up call all adults could use" LivePDX.com
"Bjork-ish" Willamette Week
"An ambitious local rock band who decided to go big and make a rock opera, and then actually did it. Toy Room offers a tasteful use of props, multiple projection screens, and live camera work." Portland Mercury
