Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys – Keep My Head – Single Review

We appreciated Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys undermining the socially endowed in last year’s viral single, “Goth Beach.” But we’re more enamored of Sickert and company’s snickering-at-opulence attitude pervading their latest, also-destined-to-be-viral release, “Keep My Head.” What makes “Keep My Head” another grand, caustic, and blissfully decadent affair? Let’s break it down:

Although the song is predominantly a punk-ish, reckless rock, there are classical passages and flourishes describing musically the scene – a ballroom packed with the sultry and aroused; the lavishly dressed, perhaps formerly aloof, and now the gloriously free; those no longer suffering an imposing and desire-hampering social rigidity. And yes, the song is bursting with sexual undertones.

But those classical moments (and we’re circling back because I got lost in those…undertones) are courtesy of the band’s crashing styles and dynamic players. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the cast of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys:

Walter Alice Sickert – Vocals, Guitar, Piano

Mary Widow – Vocals, Mandolin, Glockenspiel

Rachel Jayson – Viola

Mike Leggio – Bass

Matt Zappa – Percussion

Edrie – Vocals, Accordion, Broken Toy

So, if you’re thinking a song can’t possibly hang together with a classical introduction, a slyly raging rock, and grossly underutilized instruments (I’m looking at you, glockenspiel!), well…I beg you to indulge in “Keep My Head.” And as a child of the enlightenment, I implore you to reconsider your earlier, perhaps grossly misinformed critical indictment.

But is it good?

With rebellious abandon, classical structure introduced and social mores undone, and a singer who meshes rock and punk stylings, I have to say Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys’ latest offering is a monumental, sensual, subversive endeavor. Recommended.

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BELOW: Listen to Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys and check them out on Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter (sorry, “X”), and Instagram. Please support Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys by visiting their website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.

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