_Sprocket drops the 'texture' in 'Dulcinea'_

By G. Brown
Denver Post Special Writer


	On the strength of the singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the
Water," **<---It really says that, I'm not that ignorant!** Toad the Wet
Sprocket enjoyed platinum success with the 1991 release "Fear."
	The commercial breakthrough was unexpected, but it didn't interfere
with the Santa Barbara based quartet's approach to recording the new album
"Dulcinea."  
	Saying "Fear" was too "manicured," the band returned to basics,
layering jangly acoustic/electric guitars and Glen Phillips' thoughtful,
insightful vocals live in the studio.
	"We've always been a 'textured' band," drummer Randy Guss said
recently.
	"You don't hear guitars stand on the same chord, they weave in and
out or with a mandolin.  Dean (Dinning, bass) and I don't lock on a single
groove.  
	"Making the record wasn't easy, but the fact that we did well on radio
with a couple of songs from the last album wasn't a concern.  That was a
fluky thing.  Glen's platinum record is in his bedroom under a pile of
dirty sheets.
	Our intent is to be independent of radio and MTV and the press.  So
we tour, and that's a different story.  Touring and building a loyal
following is pressure -- the audiences don't know the new songs."
	Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform at the Ogden Theatre tomorrow
night.  
	To some extent, "Dulcinea" is a concept album.  "Something's Always
Wrong" and other songs are derived from Don Quixote's elusive love interest
in the classic Spanish novel.
	The album features "Fall Down," a No. 1 hit on alternative radio
charts.  Phillips says the melancholy lyrics are about not being there for
someone in a downward spiral, confronting life's struggles.
	"Glen was writing about a woman who wasn't necessarily suicidal,
but was definitely a substance abuser," Guss said.
	My interpretation is different than his.  I'm getting married, and
for me, the song raises difficult questions rather than giving answers. 
How do you fully accept someone when you're in a relationship?
	"You have to be there for them, let them live their life, truly love
their beauty, but see everything about them, the problems and flaws."
	"Dulcinea" also offers a lighthearted side to the band, as with the
countryish "Nanci" (a tribute to the relative merits of Nanci Griffith and
Loretta Lynn).
	And Toad the Wet Sprocket (named after a choice reference in a
Monty Python skit) participated in the new "Kiss My Ass" tribute album. 
Kiss' Gene Simmons asked them to contribute after he saw the band at a New
York club.
	The take on "Rock and Roll All Nite" is more campfire than
hellfire, an arrangement in 6/8 time with harmonies and acoustic guitars.
	"We're more confident, less concerned with the perception of what
we do, even f a song is 'out there' or different," Guss noted.
	"We've gone through tough times and then had success, and it hasn't
changed why w make the music.
	"Our career is still secondary.  I was not always sure that would be
the case.  I am now."