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And now "The Emerald City" is supposed to be the soundtrack to my "St. Patrick's Day"? At least that's what it says on the CD sticker. Unfortunately, I have to strongly doubt that at first. Even with the first song "The Rover," the use of the violin, played by Rebecca Brooke M., the only lady in THE TOSSERS, sounds somewhat unharmonious. Or is that from the Tin Whistle, a type of pipe typical of Irish music, which is occasionally heard in the song played by Aaron Duggins? This audible disharmony is definitely noticeable and simply doesn't fit. The second song "Here's to a drink with you" just drags along. The song sounds like a typical Shane MacGowan song on way too much alcohol. Only with the third song "Emerald City" does the typical Irish folk-punk come out and can somewhat excite me. Although Chicago is not Seattle, any city can have this nickname. For me, Chicago is still Chi-City. "Wherever you go," the fourth song, could also be by the POGUES; the album is slowly getting better...
But advertising with the DROPKICK MURPHYS, as seen on the sticker, is completely inappropriate. Most of the other 10 songs also lack the "kick" for that. THE POGUES would fit much better as a comparison to THE TOSSERS, and oh wonder, they are also mentioned on the sticker. And in true POGUES fashion, there is also a lot of emphasis on whiskey and beer; the band name seems to be a program. Overall, the 14 songs are about alcohol, friendships, and celebrations like "St. Patrick's Day," which must also be present on an Irish folk-(punk) record. The only exception is the song "USA," in which Tony Duggins sings very critically about the military power of the USA. I like it!
A big plus also goes to the booklet. The lyrics mixed with a few good pictures and elegantly designed make for a good booklet.
In conclusion, after a weak start, the new album of the Americans clearly improves. Personally, however, the 40 minutes feel too sluggish to me; I miss the power over long stretches, and so I only really like a few songs.
