Does the name Chris Thompson mean anything to you? In general, to me, it didn't, but when I started playing the new CD Toys & Dishes it suddenly struck me that I knew his vocal tone!

Ergo, Toys & Dishes is the BRILLIANT new album from the vocalist and guitarist with rock powerhaus Manfred Mann's Earth Band! Having sung on many hits such as 'Blinded By The Light,' 'For You' and 'The Mighty Quinn,' as well as being featured on the classic Jeff Wayne concept album War of the Worlds, Thompson's name may not be known as a solo component, but his vocals are still just so beautiful to listen to.

Indeed, those vocals are still as lush, as flowing, as crisp as they ever once were, you have to believe me. From the fun of the opening tracks 'Million $ Wonder Hit' and 'Millie Christine' on through to 'Dark Side' and the Weezerish 'Hey You!' the album is 12 tracks of pure pop rock perfection!

Thompson has also decided that he likes some tracks to be heard in a better order as on this promo version of the new album he has instructed us to listen to #1 first, #5 second, #6 third and then #2 fourth!

Toys & Dishes is actually, weirdly enough Thompson's first in over ten years and draws on all the musical elements that make Chris's songs and voice so instantly recognizable. Even songs like the old-school rockabilly flow of 'Eddie Wants To Rock' (a song about Eddie Rabbit), the heavier short instrumental guitar buzz of 'Dark Side Interlude,' and both the barn yard dance fun of 'You're The One I Love' and the Dire Straitsesque 'Talk To Me' would have all been classic hits back in the day with MMEB.

In closing, you should know that Thompson himself has said about this new album: "I’m very proud of the result. The songs really mean a great deal to me, mostly inspired by my daily life, a couple of forays into the past and a story or two! Hopefully they’re accessible to both my very loyal fans and to everybody struggling to find time and money to do what they really want to with the people they love."

Toys & Dishes Album Preview Video!