Dinosaurs & Monsters
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
Listen to Dinosaurs & Monsters
The fourth album in the band’s award winning series of ‘Dinostory’ themed songs, Howdytoons, i.e. the Toronto resident Mike Whitla, returns with this hard rock influences in attendance for an imaginative listen about real and imagined dinosaurs.
“Allosaurus” opens the listen with a thundering, dense display that’s met with smooth, flowing vocals that brings plenty of tunefulness into the metallic backdrop, and “Dimetrodon” follows with a very educational track that booms with some classic metal ideas as both singing and talking are present.
Deeper into the listen, “Brontosaurus Is Back!” actually recruits some ska-friendly rhythm to the very upbeat spirit, which brings us to the similar approach of the breezy, island flavor and brass fueled “Diplodacus”.
Moving towards the end, “The Kraken” offers a thick and buzzing talk about the Scandinavian sea monster, and “Kronosaurus” exits with a theatrical performance into the dramatic, eclectic and highly textured finish.
A really clever listen that’s full of statistics and facts, Whitla’s influences like Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Thelonious Monk, Mastodon and classical Carnatic ragas of South India are sprinkled throughout the affair, and it makes for a charming and unpredictable experience.
Travels well with: Jesse Jukebox- Just A Minute; Kelli Welli- Robots Don’t Tell Jokes