Beans on Toast - Standing on a Chair (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Whilst maybe not as highly prized as other cuisine, British food is known worldwide for its unique charm. From marmite to fish and chips to the humble baked bean, they reflect our loveable eccentricity and down-to-earth outlook. And so it's fitting that the politically charged one-man-band, Jay McCallister has taken this moreish, everyday foodstuff for his stage name, Beans on Toast.

Written over the last couple of years, the songs on this two hour, fifty track epic double CD are a homage to the major events which have shaped the country over the past decade. From 'Saddam' and 'The Smoking Ban' to the rise of social networking in the form of 'MySpace Picture', Beans on Toast has an opinion on everything and he isn't about to mince his words.

Musically it is far from perfect, the production is raw and unforgiving with all the restarts and mistakes left in. But in terms of the album as a whole it doesn't matter, the music is very much a second class citizen - a means to an end if it gets his message heard.

In previous interviews, Beans on Toast has joked that he uses the same four chords throughout every track, which means that extended listening can prove tedious. But as with most things that are good for you, it's not always going to be fun. Start with the sorry tale of a bout with the 'Bird Flu Blues' and end with the a ride on the 'Media Circus,' taking on fights with drugs, holidays in the Lakes and a side-swipe at the 'Price of Rice' as you journey with Beans on Toast.

Topical, challenging and most definitely not for the faint hearted. If El Dog's 'Let it Snow' was the antidote for the cheesy Christmas offerings, Standing on a Chair is a cure for the photoshopped, airbrushed celebrity-obsessed drive for perfection. It's music with a message, so don't listen to it down the pub over a pint, give it your full attention and in turn it will feed your soul.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Artist: Beans On Toast Title: Standing on A Chair Released: 15/12/2009 Buy Now \| View Details

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Beans on Toast on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/beansontoast

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Published: 14/01/2010 at 09:13
Author: Mary Stokes
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