Since I was a young teenager, The Toadies have, and always will, scratch a particular itch for me. It's Southern Gothic at its most authentic, visceral, emotional, and haunted. The music of The Toadies holds a deep love for the terroir that grew us here in Texas, a real love that dares to question the motives and sincerity of authority, and also ourselves. And I prayed Sweet Jesus, don't let me become a backslider. 

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The Legacy of The Toadies

Rubberneck, while still criminally underrated, is seen by most folks with a modicum of 90s musical knowledge as one of the best offerings the decade had to offer. There's not a bad or uninteresting track on the entire album, and the album as a whole is an incredibly satisfying listen- like finishing a well-written novel.

For true Toadies fans, the band's other albums hold the same satisfaction. Hell Below, Star Above is my personal favorite- it's at times an angrier Rubberneck, and at times even more introspective, even more lovely. It was the perfect transition from the 90s to the uncertainty of the new millennium.

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The Toadies In 2026

So what should The Toadies sound like in 2026? So far, there is only a teaser for the eponymous first single of their new album The Charmer, produced by the late and oh-so-great Steve Albini. The album is set to release on May 1st.

Accompanying the album's release is a U.S. tour, and while The Toadies are visiting my hometown this time, I feel it is well worth a little travel to hear these new songs live- which is the best way to hear any Toadies song.

LOOK: These Everyday Photos Show Life in the 1990s as It Really Was

Before smartphones and algorithms, there were AOL logins, floppy disks, mall hangouts, and one family computer everyone had to share.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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