Album Review: Toby - Coming Home

Toby Beard probably isn't the first name that springs to mind when you think of WA music, but that might be all about to change with the release of live album Coming Home. Having honed her craft on the North American/Canadian circuit, Toby returned to her native Perth for some more gigs that got the Ellington and Fly Trap rocking. Boasting a distinctive, powerful voice and some rousing tunes, Toby is backed up by some seriously classy musicians on this impressive release, one that should lay the platform for really launching her into the Australian market.

Crisply recorded by Jesse Stack, it's easy to forget this is a live album. This works both ways, though, as the sheer quality of instrumental sound only just compensates for having some of the rougher, live edges polished away. This classy sound is evident on top-notch little opener Don't Go, one of Toby's newer tracks, where she simply powers through the vocals on a song that could easily be a studio recording. Second track Catch You follows this up nicely, showcasing local trumpeter Shannon Puig's (Tijuana Cartel) skills. These come to the fore again later on the more jazzy Welcome Home and reggae-infused Rumpus Room. But in terms of instrumentation, the star here is exceptional violinist Rachael Aquilina who provides several searing solos, most notably on the closer, Breathe. This track, though, showcases the best and worst of Toby's music as this pumped-up song is let down somewhat by cringe-worthy confessional lyrics like, “smells like sex in here” and “penetrate my mind”. Yet despite some lyrical shortcomings, Toby's songs have some real class and her voice deserves to be heard.