It’s nice to now and again to hear something so refreshing and new from an English solo artist. ‘Toys from Balsa’ is the first solo album from artist Glyn Bailey.
Opening with ‘Sorry’ the album kicks off in a very happy and catchy way, with great harmonies and a tune that’s worthy of any opening track. This level of amazement runs through the whole 15 track album giving songs about Relationships, Cannibalism and Laurel and Hardy. The tunes are unusual, but with vocals to remind you of David Bowie it takes you back to the 80’s in a glimpse and certainly is a relaxing record to listen too. Something after a hard days work to put in the CD player and spin.
‘He says she says’ is lyrically very deep and is one of the outstanding tracks on this album. It’s matched by ‘My love is out in space’ which is as retro as it gets as far as a solo song goes.
‘D block girl’ has yet again a retro 80’s feel to it, with a tune to match, and makes you tap your foot in excitement.
The artwork is well presented, with a lyrics booklet and some great photos inside it has been professionally constructed and gives the album another level or greatness. Overall this record is an excellent solo album, and at a whopping 1 hour 13 minutes it is certainly worth a long listen. Not being a fan of solo artists work I found this album very entertaining, and has brought back a bit of the 80’s music I liked a lot.