Toasting Gears by The Stand GT: A 1993 Canadian Rock Gem That’s Still Weirdly Awesome
Alright, let’s talk about Toasting Gears, the gloriously scrappy 1993 album from Canada’s own The Stand GT. Released under En Guard Records, this punk-tinged pop rock masterpiece is like that one friend who shows up uninvited to a party but ends up being the life of it. It’s messy, raw, and somehow unforgettable.
First off, the genre mashup here feels like someone threw a bunch of different ingredients into a blender and hit “puree.” You’ve got the catchy hooks of pop rock mixed with the rebellious edge of punk. And honestly? It works. Tracks like “Strange Things Happen” and “Planet Bob’s” are stuck in my head like gum on a shoe—annoyingly good in all the right ways.
Let me break it down for ya:
“Strange Things Happen”
This track kicks things off with a vibe so quirky it might as well be wearing mismatched socks. The lyrics are cryptic enough to make you go, “Wait…what?” but not so confusing that you lose interest. There’s something about the way they blend crunchy guitar riffs with a melody that sneaks up on you—it’s like biting into what you think is a regular cookie only to discover there’s chocolate chips AND sprinkles inside. Unexpected, yet oddly satisfying. Plus, the chorus has this sing-along quality that makes you wanna grab your air guitar and pretend you’re the star of your own low-budget music video.
“Planet Bob’s”
Now THIS song is where things get downright weird (and I mean that as a compliment). Imagine if David Bowie decided to write a tune while hanging out at a skatepark in suburban Canada—that’s “Planet Bob’s” in a nutshell. The energy is chaotic, like an over-caffeinated squirrel running laps around a tree trunk. But beneath all the noise, there’s a cleverness to the storytelling that keeps you coming back. Is Planet Bob a place? A dude? A metaphor for existential dread? Who knows! All I know is, every time I hear those opening chords, I’m hooked faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer.
The rest of the album holds its own too. “Always A Laugh” brings some solid grooves and snarky wit, while “No Way Out” leans heavier into the punk side, giving listeners a punchy anthem perfect for screaming into the void—or just during rush hour traffic.
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Looking back, Toasting Gears feels like a snapshot of a band having fun without worrying too much about fitting into any specific box. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but that’s part of its charm. In today’s world of hyper-polished production and algorithm-driven playlists, albums like this remind us why we fell in love with rock music in the first place: because sometimes, it’s okay to embrace the chaos.
So, would I recommend Toasting Gears? Absolutely. Just don’t expect perfection—expect personality. And maybe a little bit of confusion. After all, isn’t that what great art’s supposed to do?
Oh, and one last thing: If anyone finds Planet Bob, let me know. I’ve got questions.
