Shiny Toy Guns: We Are Pilots

Shiny Toy Guns
We Are Pilots
Universal Motown
2006-10-17

Shiny Toy Guns revel in being retro-pop, so it should come as no surprise that the inviting and punchy “You Are the One” is a song that makes you think of a cross between the Killers and Talk Talk. “Le Disko” brings to mind a good version of electro-clash. The band has the chops to deliver these songs very well, particularly on the winding, grandiose U2-ish “Starts With One”. Carah Faye sings on “Don’t Cry Out”, which is another electro-pop highlight that sounds like the New Pornographers influenced by New Order. Just as stellar is the lovely “Chemistry of a Car Crash” that again reaches epic heights. And the album rarely falters, with the catchy, summery “Rainy Monday”, and the dance rock of “Jackie Will Save Me”, both as strong as the earlier efforts. The lone miscue might be the closing title track that sounds like a Sarah Brightman idea gone bad. It’s an album that makes retro sound new and great again.

RATING 7 / 10