Available for the first time on vinyl. The deluxe edition of Toilet Rats' stellar, hot-selling 2023 release 'IV' features two brand-new bonus tracks, updated and expanded artwork, and pressed on 100% recycled eco-mix vinyl. Toilet Rats IV from Minneapolis, MN, synth-punk act Toilet Rats. As the name suggests, it's slightly grimy, energetic, tenacious, and oddly entertaining. Tommy Ratz (aka Thomas Rehbein) combines a variety of musical influences ranging from Jawbreaker, DEVO, Nine Inch Nails, Jawbox, Depeche Mode, Ennio Morricone, Lard, Run DMC, Ramones, Powerplant, and other random stuff with lyrics primarily inspired by vintage horror and sci-fi movies to create a concise rock album that, though well produced, never takes itself too seriously. It's as if Ratz (aka Rehbein) took a time machine and made a mixtape from 1987 combining his favorite sounds and VHS rentals from that era. Carol Kane references the fright flick When A Stranger Calls, Walk The Earth recalls zombies, shopping malls, and helicopters, Larva is a nod to Al Jourgenson's dancey thrash side projects, and Oskar and Eli recalls a coming of age vampire story. - Poppy, noisy, synth-driven punk about ghosts, cryptids, conspiracy theories, and horror movies... a romp through various levels of layered-up electronic fun. The instrumental delivery occasionally reaches epic levels--yes, please. Give me more. --MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL
