Fat
Daddy Has Been - Who Wants Seconds?
(www.milkboyunlabel.com)
Sonic effects and beatbox funk makes this
band's music somewhat adventurous and creatively
ambitious, a crazy quilt of songs with some
interesting lyrics, slathered with somewhat
bland vocals. Flimsy and gimmicky at times,
the meandering dance grooves (think Beastie
Boys and Big Audio Dynamite on a bad day)
of "Poor Girl" prove more alluring
and resilient with repeated exposure. This
album grows on you after repeated listenings,
but there are negative factors in spots. Fat
Daddy Has Been (terrible name, by the way)
is generally adequate; maybe a hotter mix
or better vocals would give the album more
consistency. The ricocheting drumbeats on
the infectiously skatastic "Appreciation"
and "Aqui Y Ahora" help to give
life to this disc. But overall, the album
is too cluttered, too bland, and over-reaching
into too many genres. On the plus side, Who
Wants Seconds has a relatively loose feel
and healthy harmonies. You're going to want
to keep an eye on these guys, as there is
potential looming; but for now, their live
show would probably be a better indication
of what they're capable of. - Phil Rainone
The
Tossers - Gloatin' and Showboatin' Live
on St. Patrick's Day (Victory Records)
CD/DVD
A couple of months ago we saw The Tossers
at Asbury Lanes. During their show, it seemed
like The Tossers were on fire, playing some
of their most memorable songs like "Good
Mornin' Da," "Johnny I Hardly Knew
Ye," and "Holy Ground" (which
are all included on both the CD & DVD.)
All we had to do at The Lanes was put a few
drops of green food coloring in our PBR's
and it felt like we were almost at a St. Patty's
Day party!
Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, two things...
Ok, they had a "Halfway to St. Patrick's
Day party (a lot of bars are doing it), so
when St. Patty's Day finally rolls around
can you say we're "Halfway to halfway
to St. Patrick's Day?" Just a thought.
Also, I got Gloatin' and Showboatin after
St. Patrick's Day to review, but you need
not fear; you can still use it to warm up
for the South Amboy St. Patrick's Day parade.
It was rained out on March 15, so they changed
it to April 20.
As for The Tossers live album, recorded
on their home turf in Chicago in 2006, I think
one of the underlying gifts that the band
possesses is that they are first and foremost
folk singers; not just with the superficial
trappings of the genre, but the deep-down
Woodie Guthrie/ Pete Seeger, activist/ adventurer
type of folksinger for the modern world. Although
their tools of the trade are simple (guitar,
bass, drums, mandolin, fiddle, penny whistle,
banjo), The Tossers are capable of enormous
musical strength and depth in their writing
and performing, spinning off a tale of social,
personal, and political satire on "Press
Gang," that features a stark a cappella
opening. On "Buckets of Beer," and
"No Loot, No Booze, No Fun," ( "No
Loot..." was dedicated to, and about
Dee Dee Ramone), lead singer/ mandolinist
Mike Pawula waxes tender, bitter, and sarcastic,
keeping things blunt and very melodic, making
this an ambitious life-spanning album . You
come away from this performance feeling you
know the band and yourself a little better.
Songs of homespun integrity, and unpretentious
maturity, The Tossers are obviously having
a Hell of time, and taking us all along for
the ride!
The DVD features the live show in Chicago,
with the songs in the same order as the CD,
only now you get to experience The Tossers’
work ethic, and their desire to keep the music
passionate and exciting. The extras include
live versions of "The Parting Glass,"
"Chicago," "Siobhan,"
"Did It All For You," and "Never
Enough," all of which add a furious edge
to their live show. Music videos include "No
Loot, No Booze, No Fun," "Good Mornin'
Da," and "Siobhan." This is
the type of live album that, like Springsteen
& The E-Street Band's Live '75 DVD, you
need to experience first on CD, and then watch
the video for the full experience. So, go,
buy The Tossers new live album, some green
food coloring, some beads, and get yourself
ready for the South Amboy parade on April
20. Hey, we could start a new trend. How about
an "Eleven months to St. Patrick's Day
Party?" - Phil Rainone
CD Reviews 
