Alloa 4 piece Tonto are due to drop their debut album this week. 10 tracks of indie goodness that explore the complexity of addiction and recovery.
If you listen to the album as intended from start to finish, none of this shuffle nonsense, you will be taken on a real emotional rollercoaster. The album track list is perfectly curated to depict the struggles and triumphs that Kieran and the band faced during a particular difficult period of time.
Hope, Faith & Carnage has a nostalgic element to it. On first listen I instantly felt transported to the era where (I can only imagine) people in their twenties were hearing the likes of Oasis and The Stone Roses for the first time. When the music of the working class resonated with listeners, making you believe that boys on your street that played guitar really might have a shot in this business.
“This isn’t just an album. It’s my confession, my fight to reclaim who I am.”- Kieran Fisher
The album sheds the light on the double edged sword that is the music industry – the intertwining of music, drugs and drink. What the album does beautifuly is illustrates that it is not all glamour, and the thing you love the most can become the most toxic part of your life.
I’d say this album draws upon a lot of influences – older British Indie such as Oasis, Stone Roses, more millenial – era bands such as The View and Kasabian and I’d say even older rock sounds reminiscent of Primal Scream.
What I really like about this album is musically it’s quite simple, it’s showcases the rawness of the lyrics and the journey without excessive flashiness. Tonto prove that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make songs that matter, songs that will stir something inside you, with choruses that will have gig-goers belting them out at shows.
Kieran is a fantastic songwriter, his lyrics and imagery shines through in every track. There are some cracking lines throughout that made me chuckle but I won’t spoil them – go listen carefully when it comes out and make your own assessment.
We had already heard several tracks ahead of the album’s release with Liverpool, Charlene and Alone had already been released as singles, receiving a great response. I can imagine these songs being strong in their live sets with their dedicated fanbase belting them out.
This is the most honest work i’ve ever created. It’s raw. It’s unhinged. It’s everything I’ve been through, laid bare. If there’s anthing I want from this album, it’s that it helps someone else face their own battles.” – Kieran Fisher
I loved On top as it kicks in, you can hear the boys chanting in the studio, the fun is infectious. It’s a reminder to all that the creative process, spending time with your band mates and shaping your songs into an album you’re proud of should be fun. The track is upbeat, it’s the catchy earworm of the album, the song that you won’t stop singing along to.
Kisses like whisky is a duet with Kieran and Laura Begley. Probably one of my favourites on the album as Laura and Kieran’s vocals complement each other well and the song’s structure makes it feel as though a conversation on a casual week night was caught on a voice note.
Alone, an accoustic number which has an air of a heartbreak about it. – “I don’t mind being on my own” but I’d rather be with you.“. It explores feelings of being lost and uncertain of what comes next , yet it comes full circle showcasing life can be beautiful alone. The last few lines of the song really struck with me, probably why this one became a favourite.
I can’t quite begin to imagine the mixed emotions Tonto must be feeling as they release this album. You often hear artists that the excitement of releasing music – ‘kicking the bird out of the nest, so to speak – followed by the wave of anxiety while you wait to see how it’s received. Every creative work carries a certainvulnerability to of course,, but this album really delves a bit deeper than most, telling Kieran’s story with such emotional honesty. While it tackles dark topics like addiction and mental health, it’s counter balanced with a real sense of hope – an understanding that life has good in it, and that recovery is worth the fight.
Tonto – Kieran, Lyle, Jason and Lewis have worked exceptionally hard with Ewan Simpson at Studio B to create a real indie treat! There’s a lot to love about this album and I can’t wait to add it to my vinyl collection (let’s hope the sign it for me) . You can support the lads by pre-ordering merch here. Head over to their socials too as they have some gig announcements out that you could go and gab tickets for and see them play these cool songs live too.
