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p r e s s "...You don't have to dig deep to see the joy
springing from this Eagle Rock gang. The joy comes from their bevy of
keyboards, their big hair (that's you Jordan), and their girl-boy
harmonies... Bouyant and energetic and timelessly young... Unassuming
and polite, the lead of MT took charge and poured over his songs
jealously like each was a mistress. He held on so tight and then gave
them up and watched us and watched the songs get set free. He had
little interaction with his bandmates, playing to the audience solidly
for the eight-song set. We clapped and MT smiled so graciously,
seemingly charmed by the well-deserved adulation. MT's set was brief
but packed full of energy and uplifting and bouncy and tight. Jordan
wasn't bothered by inane audience chatter. MT kept it about the music
and that was the right thing to do..." "If there was one new act who, I believe, can shake the confines of the L.A. scene and make some ripples elsewhere it's Marvelous Toy. They've got endearing vocals and creative instrumentation that doesn't fit the face of a no-name act... (10/1/08) ...The up-and-coming rock outfit Marvelous Toy
exude an energy that sounds at home amongst flannel shirts, chlorophyll
depleted leaves, and comfortable jeans. Perhaps this band appeals to
the senses so well because of the wholesome, comforting sound that is
deeply entrenched in an earthy Americana meets independent rock
crossbreed. While the weather is changing, the leaves are falling, and
even your seasonal wardrobe is shifting - Marvelous Toy has already
shed its Summer exoskeleton to make your transition (sound) better.
This L.A. quartet is (mainly) the brainchild of Jordan Hudock's
powerful voice and strong lyrics, their new EP All Is Quiet is so new
that it still has that intoxicating "new smell" on its cover but offers
so much I had a difficult time selecting which of the six songs to
showcase. However, while the packaging is new the songs have a vibe and
polished production that would make you think otherwise. Check out the
catchy tunes "The City Is A Washing Machine" and "Waiting For The Fire"
which may remind many of a blend of Okkervil River, Bright Eyes, and
The Walkmen. A strong sound and very solid EP - one that you can play
through and/or on repeat without hesitation. L.A. is a hard city to
make it in but I have feeling they'll make it just fine.. keep an eye
on this act." "Marvelous Toy was up next. Heading into the
Troubadour last night, I wasn't nearly as excited about their set as I
should have been. I hadn't seen them in forever. In the interim, I'd
gotten bogged down in the business of blogging and seeing every band in
town. Under the weight of all that, the memory of Marvelous Toy's
stirring live show had gone foggy. It wasn't until frontman Jordan
Hudock struck the first chord of the first song that I remembered how
truly different they are, and my excitement adjusted itself to the
appropriate level. The band played a mix of songs from their
excellent All Is Quiet EP, along with new material that's so good that
it's really unfair--unfair to other bands, and unfair to people like me
who have to keep waiting for their forthcoming album. Their sound
achieved an ideal combination, with its baroque sense of drama tempered
by a humble, twangy wit." "...Manages to once again prove a 4-piece can
sound just as good as all those fancy orchestral ensembles while
lyrically keeping to that Americana meets British folk troubadour feel
that we all love." "If you're thinking of what to get the little 'un
for Christmas then I'm sure they'd love a marvelous toy. But turn your
mind away from the Christmas list and turn your ears to Marvelous Toy,
a folk influenced pop, or is it pop influenced folk, band from LA?
Either way they make a fine noise that's pure honey for the ears. The
Devil's favourite Marvelous Toy track 'You Were Brighter' sounds like
Crash Test Dummies covering Arcade Fire's 'Funeral' while Jeff Tweedy
plays with his straggly beard. The band have just released their new
EP, 'All is Quiet' which comes with a recommendation from the Devil. Go
visit the bands website where you can listen to the tracks and then hit
the Go Buy button." "Then there’s my love affair with the LA
scene and more particularly Marvelous Toy. I just can’t get
“The City Is a Washing Machine” out of my head, and
honestly, I just don’t wanna! But don’t be fooled by this
one little song on our show, their new EP, 'All Is Quiet' surprises
with each new track and doesn’t bask in the same sound over and
over and over…" "It's a bit folk, a lot of indie, almost
Appalachian at times, but really lively, like an original Americana
music form with bookish lyrics. [They] can also flat out rock till
you're ready to jump up and dance... I was flabbergasted. They're not
just a good new band, they're a great band. So many new local bands
seem to spring to life fully formed, like they're already performing at
the the top of their capabilities, but they keep surprising me and
topping themselves. Marvelous Toy is another band to add to that group." "...More assertive than folk, less aggressive
than rock, more intelligent than pop. Retrobilly, maybe. "The City is a
Washing Machine" opens with acoustic guitar, a vigorously thumped kick
drum, and vocals, eventually we get organ and other stuff (the happy
click of drumsticks, for instance, and piano) but it's far into the
song, the last word of the chorus in fact, before I hear a bass. And
that's very minimalist cool. As is the ending: an unfinished line, both
lyrically and musically. Witty. I like witty... Let's all buy their
album so they feel obligated to tour. Los Angeles is too far to drive.
Though, Marvelous Toy just might be worth it." "Not many bands out there boast a mad composer as
their front man. A cartoon version of Beethoven dashed with the indie
cousin of Ben Folds and a hidden streak of Kramer. Well, maybe
that’s just what I see, but Jordan Hudock of local LA band
Marvelous Toy, along with his brother Cody, and band mates Franck Fiser
and Ny Lee, certainly bring something as entertaining and eclectically
precise as such a combination suggests. I’ve seen them play lots
of times and feel like I have my own little secret, waiting to be
broken to everyone else. Los Angeles is teeming with local bands who
care more about their persona then the music they play, but Marvelous
Toy thankfully is in it for the right reasons... Perhaps you’ll
see more whimsical Wilco wisps or threads of John Lennon having tea
with a wounded teddy bear, but either way, I think you’ll agree
that Marvelous Toy is a great band on which to train your eye;
unpretentious, well-crafted and just damn fun to listen to." "...Marvelous Toy achieves the enviable balance
of staying closely in touch with the zeitgeist while still sounding
excitingly original... The four-piece band’s style is highlighted
by some hallmarks of the city’s indie music scene (emo-inflected
male vocals, ripe with vulnerability; male-female harmonies; a
head-spinning variety of influences combined pioneeringly), but carves
out a unique niche in that edifice by cross-pollinating folk pop with
electronica... Lovingly produced, these six songs have been polished
until they sparkle like jewels, with lots of little artistic touches
throughout. The melodies are charming, and some call to mind the music
of past eras filtered through a modern sensibility... Frontman Jordan
Hudock’s resounding voice is electronically processed throughout
the album and the effect makes him sound like he’s broadcasting
from a far distance, or another time... With well-written songs and a
painstakingly crafted sound, this new Toy is sure to provide a lot of
happiness." BAND OF THE WEEK "Indie rock with a touch of folk is just bursting
from the seams on this debut EP... Damn the harmonies these guys (and
sometimes girl) bang out are so beautiful. I’m always a sucker
for harmony, but Marvelous Toy is definitely intriguing." "Cheeky shoegazers Marvelous Toy... balance deep,
heavy-down lyrics with a garagey folksiness that sways with warm and
fuzzy optimism — a pitch-perfect note of frazzled, ironic
cheer..."
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