TOY - The Split (1981/2018) [Hi-Res]

Belgian group playing "civilized rock music", with a career spanning the seventies to the nineties.

The album "The Split" was released in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Switzerland, New-Zealand, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. According to the bio: "There was much more contrast in the music by incorporating synths (with Werner Pensaert, who would become a regular member soon afterwards). The point that was perhaps most unique was the vocals : two singers with a totally different sound and timbre made Toy stand out. With this album it was proven that a Flemish group was capable of putting together a balanced album that was up to international standards".

However "The Split" didn't become a landmark album : "Too much cut- and paste technique by Harry Woods and Theo Van Hemelryk, and not enough strong melodies." was the verdict by Oor. "I think we suffered from the "Big Disappointment" among the media people" said singer Harry Woods later "Everyone was expecting a bit too much. When the "Big Breakthrough" didn't happen, everybody was disappointed."

Harry Woods, vocals, guitar, keyboards
Theo Van Hemelrijk, vocals, guitar, keyboards
Paolo Damanti, piano, clavinet, synthesizer
Renaat Boeykens, bass
Marc Bonne, drums, percussion

Produced by Jürgen Krämer, Toy (4)

Digitally remastered