Around this time a couple years ago, Providence hip-hop band Toad & The Stooligans released their sophomore full-length album “Jesus Juice”. The record exhibits a bit of a gospel influence and it was a much needed release during the crazy uncertainty that shrouded over 2020. For the sake of dichotomy and the fact that you can’t have the good without the bad, the act recently put out their third LP “Devil’s Nectar” on October 28. Thematically, the record goes in a 180 and when I say “bad” I mean the tongue-in-cheek dark motif that encompasses the music. Along with that, it fits in with the macabre that’s often associated with the Halloween season which was in full force during the time of its unveiling.

During the making of the new record, the band decided to produce it themselves and with that responsibility came the debating over minute details. With this different experience, there was a lot of learning that came from it and the band had an overall fun time due to the relationship with their music being taken to another level.

“Producing your own album can have a lot of challenges and excitement all at the same time,” bassist Alex Caimano says about the making of “Devil’s Nectar”. “We were granted the time for creative freedom but we were bogged down with the weight of choice fatigue. A lot of the time we were hemming and hawing over minute things that we otherwise wouldn’t bother with if we paid someone else to engineer and mix. I think those little critiques translated into the final product. The learning curve was wide but the experience was priceless. I love all the music we play and alumna we made but I think I love this one a little more just from the work we all out into it“

“This album was really fun to make,” keyboardist Daniel Hill adds. “The most challenging and most rewarding song on the album was the first track ‘Devil’s Nectar (The Summon)’. I remember Alex calling me about making a song that mirrored ‘Jesus Juice (The Sermon)’ but making something that sounded more gritty and playing it in a bebop jazz style. What I loved about that idea was that jazz was kind of known to those who lacked the understanding of the genre as the ‘Devil’s Music’, so it was a good way to play with that idea especially with jazz being a huge background in my playing. The most challenging part was writing out the different sections that occur and the horn parts, but we were able to get it done and the song came out amazing. I was definitely proud of everyone’s effort on that song. The icing on the cake was listening to Mike’s dope ass verse bring it to life after all the instruments were recorded.”

Along with the first track, there are a bunch of others that highlight the album. “Kick Rocks” has Hill’s keys and Caimano’s bass forming the foundation along with Matt O’Brien’s drumming while both Dan Pomfret and Mike Jencks create their trademark verbose dynamic with the lyrics. With rapper extraordinaire Jesse The Tree joining in on the fray, “I Don’t Wanna Get High” has more of a low-key vibe with the chorus upping the ante in numerous ways. Concluding “Devil’s Nectar” is “Mean and Nasty and No Damn Good” in rhythmic fashion while leaving a lasting impression. “Clap Ya Hands” and “Bridge Burner” are quality songs that deserve a listen as well.

Ever since the middle of the 2010s, Toad & The Stooligans have been one of the premier acts in the local music scene. All you have to do is give their music a listen, then go see them live and you’ll understand why. Anytime they put on a show it’s a good time and you should keep tabs on when they’ll be playing next. To do that, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/toadandthestooligans. In the meantime, give “Devil’s Nectar” a listen via their Bandcamp page at toadandthestooligans.bandcamp.com.