Album Of The Week: Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys’ Come Black Magic

Search far and wide and chances are you’ll discover no one quite like Boston native Walter Sickert. His artistry is incredibly detailed and abstract while grabbing hold of the mind and never letting go. He also writes amazing music with his band The Army of Broken Toys that’s both theatrical and suspenseful. It’s like if Tom Waits immersed himself into the setting of Alice In Wonderland and put a macabre spin on it. An excellent example of Sickert’s unique brand of rock is his band’s upcoming album, Come Black Magic, that’ll be released on September 9.

The inspiration behind the album comes from love, nightmares, horror movies from the ’70s & ’80s, malicious deep forests, ghost swamps, mysterious Lovecraftian ceremonies and all sorts of other spooky things. There’s a gothic tone abundant within Come Black Magic and it really shines through the band’s use of string instruments such as Rachel Jayson’s viola, Mary Widow’s mandolin and Mike Leggio’s upright and electric bass. It gives a vibe that sends chills up the spine and invades the senses. Triumphant rhythms and Sickert’s vocal vibrato resonate in pristine fashion as well. Each track has something different to offer while at the same time going along with similar themes.

With Halloween coming soon, it’s only fitting that a band like Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys put out a stellar album to ring in the season of frights that go bump in the night. The mood it brings is perfect for the mood that All Hallow’s Eve can bring. People are preparing for embracing the darkness and rejoicing in the festivities of tricks and treats. Now you’re probably thinking of what your costume is going to be, right? Before you make that decision, check out my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week:

An excellent example of those haunting string instruments, “Dull Boy” has Sickert singing about psychotic nightmares and domestic murder while paying homage to The Shining. The chorus brings a powerful sound and Meff’s guitar is a shred machine from start to finish. “The Legend Of Squid And Moon” is another haunting one that starts off in a pensive manner with entrancing howls and subtle emphasis. The single “Where’s Your Ghost” hits hard with the strings and the guitars coming to the forefront. There are also these harmonies in the song that are truly entrancing.

Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys will celebrate the release of Come Black Magic at The Sinclair in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on September 9 with soul-pop artist Ruby Rose Fox and cosmic Americana act Mount Peru. The latter will also be ringing in the release of their album Good Morning Midnight at the same show. It looks like it’ll be one hell of a time to experience at one of the best music venues in the Boston area. While you’re there, make sure to pick up a copy of the new album from Sickert and his crew of crazy creatives. It’ll put you in a different frame of mind right when you press play.

Watch the music video for “Where’s Your Ghost” via Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=0I37V2IflAs; Like Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys on Facebook: facebook.com/armyoftoys