When you think about the band Toploader, you are bound to have only one song in mind - 'Dancing In The Moonlight'. And I don't blame you or judge you, the common knowledge of the Eastbourne band doesn't go far past their 1999 smash hit. But they have actually had an interesting story and they are back this week with new single 'Never Stop Wondering'.
'Dancing In The Moonlight' is actually a cover of the King Harvest song, but it's massive appeal at the turn of the millennium saw their debut album 'Onka's Big Moka' stay in the Top 5 of the UK Charts for over six months. With that effort selling over a million units, follow-up release 'Magic Hotel' has similar success, reaching 3 in the charts. Did you know also that Toploader were the last British band to play at the old Wembley Stadium, as they supported Bon Jovi?
But soon after, they went on an 'indefinite' haitus as their record label collapsed, and are back in similar form to before. 'Never Stop Wondering' is an atmospheric and mid-paced guitar track, that through the use of synths and piano plonks, swells into a good well-natured release. Joseph Washbourn's vocals drift from aimless whining to poignant touches, set in an optimisitic mood and it is all-in-all a pleasing song.
But, I in fact prefer the B-Side 'Shifting Sands'; a tad more sinister, a bit more driven with a moodier feel and a thoughtful undertone that betters the poppier style of the A-Side. Both together make for a good single release that deserves to get itself a decent amount of airplay that can hopefully lift this band back to its early-2000's glory.
Returning from a six year break is not easy but Toploader have not disgraced themselves. No trees have been uprooted, but 'Never Stop Wondering' and 'Shifting Sands' stand up in the modern music arena. A bit more ambition and an album could be well worth a listen.
Worth a listen, and with the absence of 'Shifting Sands' on YouTube, here's A-Side 'Never Stop Wondering' from Toploader.
NWR
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