The Tossers: Agony

Here we go; the first review not of a Ska album!

The Tossers are what is considered a Irish Punk band by many. This is a fair label but you could easier call them a Celtic Rock band. They don't really stick to any punk formula (except maybe for short in and out songs and the raw power of their songs), and their sound isn't just traditionally Irish it pulls sounds from all Celtic folk.
Oddly enough they have stayed out of the time light even though they came before both popular bands; Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.
To me this may have something to do with the idea of their more pull away from that punk sound. Until recently a Flogging Molly album was the same beat, same feel, same tone etc throughout the whole album. It wasn't until "Within a Mile of Home" that I even enjoyed Flogging Molly. Then Dropkick appeals to the Hot Topic Core kids. Driving bland punk with overtones that can roughly be described as celtic, and poor bag pipe lines.
The Tossers put a lot of stuff in their songs while managing to keep them very folky and raw. Several melody layers, lots of energy, good harmonies etc. This is true once again for Agony.

Agony kinda pulls from all their past work. From real driving fast songs to more traditional (but still rock tonality to them) sounding slow songs. Then every once in a while you get this real stripped song that really shows their writing ability (such as Claddagh). One big defining thing about the Tossers is that their songs are very sing along able and more so on the past two albums because Duggins vocals are more clear (vocally and recording) and less slurred. Agony is no different after one listen you'll want to sing along in at least the catchy chorus. But at the same time The Tossers have this ability to write songs that you just lose yourself in. It is real easy to just sit back, zone out and absorb the musicality of it all.
All the instruments do what they should, the banjo accents the guitar and melody. The guitar does not over power the song, it creates the base like it should in folk music. The tin whistle adds to the melody and tonality and carries it all together; never gets in the way and never gets to an uncomfortable sound or range. The mandolin adds a great harmony and the violin does too. Lastly one of the big things for me is the drums are perfect. They add the driving rock feel but still have the folk bounce to them. On top of that each song only uses them when needed and when they do use them Bones knows how to play them and really makes the drums sing and carry the song; instead of playing one beat with out any variations. Something that Flogging Molly failed to do for a long time.
In conclusion it is a solid album and another step forward for The Tossers. The songs are very well written and very catchy. You'll want to just soak in this album and it will have you singing along, bobbing along; whatever you do. If you like Folk Rock, Folk Punk, Celtic Rock; or never listened to any of it before. Pick up this album, you probably won't regret it.

A+