The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead, by Mordecai Smyth

The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead

by Mordecai Smyth

supported by

paul rote Yet another great megadodo release . Pop psych album extraordinare

	/

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Mordecai Smyth 'The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead' LP 180 gram black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve designed by Martin Simmonds.

Includes unlimited streaming of The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 2 days

edition of 250 45 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

£15 GBP or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

Mordecai Smyth 'The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead' CD in a lovely plastic jewel case.

Includes unlimited streaming of The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 2 days

5 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

£8 GBP or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£7 GBP or more

1.	Billywitch 04:05	buy track
2.	River Of Sleep 06:59	buy track
3.	Far From The Crowd 04:30	buy track
4.	Heading Back West 03:58	buy track
5.	Golf Girl 05:17	buy track
6.	A Knife And A Key 05:51	buy track
7.	Happy 04:01	buy track
8.	Stay With The Pulse 04:39	buy track
9.	Dissent Into Chaos 04:35	buy track

about

Hands up all who remember - or preferably purchased - an album entitled Sticky Tape and Rust? Not only was it the very first release on the delightful Mega Dodo label but it was also our introduction to a certain Mr. Mordecai Smyth.
And a fine introduction it was. Chock full of knowing and sometimes darkly humorous vignettes on numerous topics including lycanthropy, murder and cycling sorceresses, all of them evoking The Idle Race or a Village Green-era Kinks with effortless ease. Toytown psych, one might say, with Mayor of Toytown Mordecai pulling the strings.
Still, that was 2011, so what's been happening since? Apart from a couple of EPs and appearances on compilations here and there, things have been a little quiet on the Mordecai front. However, those in the know were given to understand that Mr. Smyth was not resting on his laurels and was, in fact, toiling on something rather different. But what, exactly? Well, the wait is over...and it is my unfortunate duty to inform you that The Mayor of Toytown is Dead.
But this is no cause for sadness: Mordecai is still very much with us, although the short, sharp numbers of those Sticky Tape days have gone. They're longer now but still with hooks aplenty - accessible and challenging in the best tradition of progressive rock. Mordecai prefers it to be known as "regressive rock." (If you get the chance, do ask him and I'm sure he'll tell you why.)
He's also called upon the assistance of a wide pool of talents. Among them is Dave Lambert (Strawbs, The Fire) who contributes lead guitar to the album's opening and closing tracks. There's the South West's finest, Icarus Peel and Crystal Jacqueline. Long time friends Darren Medland and Martin Simmonds are in there too, as are guest vocalists Catherine Earnshaw and Deborah Pike, plus many more who helped to shape the album you hold in your hands. And let's not forget Tabitha Smyth: her woodwind stylings were among the highlights of Sticky Tape and Rust, and it could be argued that this time around they've truly found their spiritual home.
So, pull up a chair - or an elongated sofa, if you wish - and have a listen. You know it's what the good Mayor would have wanted.

credits

released November 11, 2017

PERSONNEL:
MORDECAI SMITH - vocals, guitars, mellotron, keys
TABITHA SMYTH - clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, (backing vocal on golf girl)
ICARUS PEEL - bass guitar, specialist feedback guitar, backing vocal (lyrics for river of sleep)
DAVE LAMBERT - guitar solos (billywitch/dissent into chaos)
DARREN MEDLAND - acoustic guitar (far from the crowd)
CATHERINE EARNSHA W - vocals (far from the crowd)
DEBORAH PIKE - vocals + lyrics (happy)
MICHAEL B. CREECH - drums, percussion (billywitch//golf/a knife/pulse/dissent)
MITCH GRIFFIN - drums (tar from the crowd! happy)
MARTIN SIMMONDS - drums (river of sleep)
GIAMPIERO "GP" NASSI - drums (heading back west)
DIANE PRINCE - trombone (golf girl)
SARAH RHIANNON PARKES BOWEN - flute (a knife and a key) CRYSTAL JACQUELINE - backing vocal (heading back west)

All songs written by Mordecai Smyrh except; *M. Smyth/M. Simmonds/I. Simmonds/I. Peel.
~ R. Coughlan/P. Hastings/R. Sinclair/D, Sinclair A M. Smyth/D. Pike> M. Smyt:h/D. Medland.

Cover art by Martin Simmonds

Inner cover photograph by Silke jochum, assisted on the day by Britta Huning

license

about

Mega Dodo UK

Mega Dodo are pioneering the most significant and in terms of progression and originality, forward thinking psychedelic rebirth since the early 80s.
Dave Thompson: Goldmine Magazine

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Mega Dodo

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Mega Dodo recommends:

After the Fall Outtakes
by Dodson and Fogg

What's not to love about this lovely trippy poppy folk. Mega Dodo
go to album
Violet Woods
by Violet Woods

British psych pop at its best. Mega Dodo
go to album
Apropos
by Heaven's Gateway Drugs

Great pop psych for the US of A. Mega Dodo
go to album

If you like The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead, you may also like:

Tunguska Tydfil
by Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals

supported by 17 fans who also own “The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead”
go to album
Effigies
by Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals

supported by 17 fans who also own “The Mayor Of Toytown Is Dead”

Excellent album. Reminds me of a number of much loved tracks from the past, but given a unique twist and fresh newness that is a joy to listen to. Going to listen to it again now. So so good. Richard Davies
go to album
Mean Green 7"
by Heaters

featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 17, 2015
go to album

Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.

listen now