Do They Need Shiny Toy Bullets, Too?

Well, it's been a while, but I'm back. Since we last gathered here, I've been out saving the cheerleader and saving the world. Oh, and angling to get Dwight booted out of Dunder-Mifflin so that I can take his job.

Also, I've been listening to "We Are Pilots," the album by Shiny Toy Guns. Last month, I was ambling around iTunes, glancing at that magical column suggests artists I might like. Right at the top was Shiny Toy Guns.

"Shiny Toy Guns?" I thought, "Well, I don't know if I can support that kind of violence."

But iTunes has been right before, so I gave the samples a quick listen. And damn!

Here's what you get with this group:

** A man and a woman who swap lead vocals, occasionally having "conversation songs"

** Dance and rock beats in the same song, living together in peace.

** A female vocalist (Carah Faye) who sound just like Neko Case from New Pornographers.. And we all know Neko rules.

** Two songs, "When they Came for Us" and "Don't Cry Out" that are miniature epics. It's always so fun when a song sounds different in the beginning, middle, and end. It's like getting three songs in one! (For another great example, see "All These Things I've Done" by The Killers.")

Speaking of The Killers, if you wish they hadn't left behind their New Wave roots--you know, like they were embarassed that their music was fun--then Shiny Toy Guns may be for you. Or if you've ever wondered what Human League might sound like today, get thee to a gunnery!

A Shakespeare joke. That's right. Welcome to the '07, fools.

(For samples of the STG album, go here.)