EP Review: The Tossers – Merry Christmas (Victory Records)
Famed for their gutsy and resolute blue-collared anthems, The Tossers are stepping in a different direction by releasing two songs for the holiday season – an original, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and the traditional New Year’s poem ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ penned by Robert Burns in 1788.
Guitarist Mike Pawula explains, “’Merry Christmas’ is a song that Tony (Duggins, mandolinist and lead vocalist) wrote a few years ago. He had been kicking around and we planned to put it on tape. Once we did that, it felt like we should record a companion song. So, naturally, the classic ‘Auld Lang Syne’ seemed like the perfect fit. We have never done anything for the Seasons like this and hope people enjoy it.” Duggins adds, “God Bless you all, and may each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.”
The two track EP was released on December 7th 2018 via Victory Records.
The Celtic punk/blue-collared style of The Tossers sound is exemplified on this two track release that celebrates both Christmas and the New Year. The former is an original song that captures the kind of feel that ‘Fairytale of New York’ gives off. However, here you’re not left feeling like you want to throw yourself off a cliff. Sweet, melodic and capturing Christmas perfectly. It’s an original track that sounds like it has been a staple of Christmas for many years and you just haven’t paid attention to it before.
To complete the release we get a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Capturing the feel of spending New Years with loved ones. One of the things I like about this version is that it doesn’t do what many others do. Which is speed up near the end. Instead The Tossers keep things at the same pace and it has way more impact.
The Tossers – Merry Christmas Full Track Listing:
1. Merry Christmas
2. Auld Lang Syne
The Tossers - Merry Christmas (Victory Records)
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The Final Score - 7/10
7/10