Toy (Toy:Box)

The box contains three different discs, each containing a separate version of David Bowie's previously unreleased 2000 album, Toy.Disc One is the standard version of the album which was also included in the Brilliant Adventure box set released late 2021. Whilst some say this album is one of the worse Bowie albums (if there is such a thing), I would say that it is one of his strongest. The album provides early tracks from his career with a second chance with a more mature tone. Most of the songs featured greatly benefit from the experience that Bowie brought to them, and tend to be better than the original. Songs such as Karma Man, Conversation Piece, Shadow Man, and Can't Help Thinking About Me really stand out.Disc Two contains alternative mixes of the Toy tracks, as well as Liza Jane and In The Heat Of The Morning. Liza Jane, whilst not the greatest song Bowie made, is a vast improvement over the original. In The Heat Of The Morning is one of Bowie's best early songs and whilst I wouldn't say this version is as strong as the original, it is still great. Featured on this Disc are the Toy singles released on Heathen B-sides, and these tracks are good; however, the best mixes are those not released before. New mixes were produced for songs such as The London Boys. These new mixes are very strong, but perhaps not an improvement over the first Disc.Disc Three contains the "Unplugged and Somewhat Slightly Electric" mixes, which are acoustic recordings of Toy. The acoustic style matches the slower tracks on the album, such as Karma Man, and it provides an interesting listening experience, although, once again, I would say that this disc is weaker than the first.Overall, this isn't an essential collection. If you didn't like Toy, this isn't for you, but if you liked it, this set is for you.

This is a real box with a lift-off lid so no cardboard hinge to wear out as you are likely to be opening this quite often. The three discs are in individual inner sleeves which each slide easily into their own outer sleeve so they are well protected within the box. The same constructed photo appears on each outer sleeve as on the box itself. The back of the box shows the full list of tracks while each individual disc had its own contents in easily read script.The booklet contains several pictures of Bowie clearly from the same photo shoot. Text is minimal being limited to the track listings, musician credits and publishing details. Here is my one criticism, the musician credits are in tiny white letters on grey so are very hard to make out.The recorded tracks are superb. There are thirty eight tracks albeit of only sixteen songs. There is just one version of "Liza Jane", two of "In The Heat Of The Morning", two of "Karma Man" but three of each of the other eleven. Each variation is materially different so there is no feeling of repetition. The songs are spread across the three discs so that no song appears twice on the same disc. This creates the effect of Bowie having made three coherent LPs but adjusted for a different audience in the way that a US issue would not be the same as one from the UK or Europe in the old days.This is not a "cash in" or scraping the barrel but meets the needs of the market where the supply is now limited.

I heard the leaked version about eight years ago, so musically I basically knew what to expect. I love it as an album.Price? I got it for £97, the 16% reduction price. For six vinyls, a really nice physical release, I can live with that, although Earthling at £277 is an outrage. I don't care if it's blue vinyl, what are they thinking?"TOY" I'm glad has finally got an official release. It's a lovingly made release with a strong box, quality paper, and really nice 10" heavy vinyls. The booklet is glossy and nicely put together. The music is great, for those who loved his Brecht/Weill love-in early days, through to the final releases.Everybody already knows that David put "TOY" forward as his first release with the new deal with Virgin, who rejected it as they wanted "new music". Bowie was hurt by this decision, but "moved on". I love it and am glad to see the lost album finally get a release.It was the first official release since "Blackstar" that reminded me that I miss him. I really miss him.Recommended.