Play with Toys is the debut album by American alternative hip hop group Basehead. It was voted one of the top 50 albums of 1992 in Q magazine,[2] and listed as number 43 in NME's top albums of 1992.[3]
| Play with Toys | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992[1] | |||
| Genre | Alternative hip hop | |||
| Length | 40:59 | |||
| Label | Imago | |||
| Producer | Michael Ivey | |||
| Basehead chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music and lyrics
The music style of Play with Toys fuses elements of rock, blues,[4][5] funk,[6] hip hop,[7] pop,[7] psychedelic[8] and reggae,[9] and was described as an alternative hip hop "cult favorite".[7] David Jeffries described Play with Toys as "slacker rap".[1] According to Michael Ivey, "There are hip-hop elements in there, but if a hardcore hip-hop fan bought it, they might be disappointed".[9] Ivey also stated that Basehead's music "doesn't have the expected samples and sounds."[10] The lyrical themes of Play with Toys focus on diverse subjects, including alcohol and marijuana use,[5] depression,[1] philosophy,[4] politics,[4] and relationship breakups.[4] Francis Davis wrote that Ivey's lyrics "[subvert] both rock music and gangsta-rap conventions."[5] The instrumentation of Play with Toys was created largely with live instruments rather than samples, which differentiates the album's sound from that of mainstream hip hop.[10] Instruments were altered with studio techniques for effect,[10] and Ivey altered the pitch of his voice for sketches in which he voiced the friends of the album's protagonist. Ivey's vocals mix singing and rapping.[4]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Chicago Tribune | [11] |
| Christgau's Consumer Guide |  [12] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
| Q | [14] |
| Rolling Stone | [4] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 9/10[15] |
Rolling Stone reviewer Kevin Powell wrote that "Without being preachy, Basehead's unconventional style challenges listeners to get beyond their basic instincts and open their minds, search their souls."[4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Michael Ivey
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 1:02 |
| 2. | "2000 BC" | 4:15 |
| 3. | "Brand New Day" | 4:52 |
| 4. | "Not Over You" | 4:38 |
| 5. | "Better Days" | 3:09 |
| 6. | "Ode to My Favorite Beer" | 3:42 |
| 7. | "Hair" | 3:48 |
| 8. | "Evening News" | 4:37 |
| 9. | "I Try" | 3:53 |
| 10. | "Play with Toys" | 4:03 |
| 11. | "Outro" | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 40:59 | |
Personnel
- Michael Ivey – guitar, vocals
- Brian Hendrix – live drums
- Bruce 'Kool Aid' Gardner – live drums on "2000 BC"
- Paul 'DJ Unique' Howard – scratches
- Bob Dewald – bass on "Play with Toys"
- Marco Delmar – feedback solo on "Play with Toys"