Toad The Wet Sprocket: Walk On The Ocean

       In 1992 a quartet from Santa Monica calling themselves Toad The Wet Sprocket broke through with a charting hit song called All I Want.  It featured a lovely arrangement of drums, bass, and acoustic guitar that gradually blended in an electric guitar and organ.  But the star of the show was the sophisticated harmonies featured mainly in the chorus.  Singer/songwriter Glen Phillips begins in a deep tenor range but cycles up through 2 octaves to a pure and clear falsetto.  The harmony itself has a depth that suggests it was recorded in a cathedral or perhaps a large empty music hall.  It was released off their album entitled Fear and became one of my favorite songs of the early 90's.
       A few months later they released a song that didn't quite chart as well that was even more musically adventurous called Walk On The Ocean.  While it didn't feature the same lush harmonies of All I Want it showed off a blend of voices that easily rivaled their earlier hit.  The orchestration is deceptively simple but included all sorts of interesting details.  I believe the song is played in 6/8 time which makes it unusual for rock and roll.  Although I have been unable to find session notes or credits that define this particular song you can easily pick out the violin, cello, and mandolin. Also, I'm not certain if there is an accordion included or if it's a keyboard but it still is quite striking and beautiful.
      There is a kind of Irish ballad/nautical feel that is somewhat reminiscent of Billy Joel's Down Easter Alexa except here the feel is much warmer, more acoustic, and somehow more accessible.  On the surface the lyrics describe a trip from Homestead Florida through the Keys and back.  Anyone who has ever made friends while on vacation that included promises to remain in touch will understand that oftentimes those promises are unfulfilled leaving you with only memories.  The accompanying music has a somewhat dark and moody tone suggesting sadness and loss.

Toad The Wet Sprocket
Fear

      Apparently the name Toad The Wet Sprocket came from a Monty Python skit and the band adopted the name for a one night stand as kind of a joke and it just stuck.  While I don't exactly understand why any band would call themselves something so esoteric, they aren't the first to do so.  Rock and roll has enough acts called enough odd names that something as obscure as an Eric Idol reference seems quite normal by comparison.  The Fear album is in my opinion the best of Toads career and is well worth listening to.  If you like All I Want and Walk On The Ocean then the rest of the album will be a very satisfying experience.  As usual thanks for reading and please enjoy



Walk On The Ocean by Toad the Wet Sprocket