Toiling Midgets have a new LP, "Sea of Tranquility," a record reflective of much of their experimental, psych/prog/jazz/punk/post-punk/noise rock work over their 40-year history. It is largely the work of group members, Craig Gray and Paul Hood. It includes new material developed using vocal outtakes from the late Ricky Williams plus music recorded for this project with singer/bass player Simon Bell. The Toiling Midgets were born in 1980 from the ashes one of San Francisco's first punk bands, Negative Trend. Never an entirely vocal or instrumental group, their roughly 50/50 blend of vocals and instrumentals is hauntingly beautiful at times and at others soaring and almost anthemic. Craig and Paul's, the remaining original members, guitars circle and intertwine one another throughout the "Sea of Tranquility" challenging each other to take that next step. This new record stands proudly with the other 16 or so EPs/albums that they have released.
