VWMusic

All images courtesy of Getty Images/Wiki Commons

By Andrew Earle
dandyinc@hotmail.com

Are you like me? Tired of 99% of Christmas music by December 3rd because of the radio and malls overplaying “the classics?”

I know there are alternatives like metal and punk Christmas compilations, but I have something much better for you – as long as you have a sense of humor and are not easily offended. Have you ever heard of Rudy Casoni? Better known as Toby Huss? If you don’t recognize either name, I bet you still know him.

Toby Huss is an actor and a voice actor; you probably have seen him on Seinfeld as “The Wiz” or maybe on National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation as the guy who sells Russ a fake ID on the sidewalk. No? Have you seen King of the Hill? Maybe you’ll recognize him as Hank Hill’s neighbor, Kahn Souphanousinphone, or Hank’s Father, Cotton? That should cover almost everything, but Toby’s IMDB reads like a novel if you still are unsure.

All images courtesy of Getty Images/Wiki Commons

I enjoy a good Frank Sinatra album like most people – and tolerate most decent crooners – but Rudy Casoni is a brilliant lyricist and crooner. His album S’no Balls is 12 beautifully written and performed tracks with one instrumental – ranging in Christmas-themed topics from the office Christmas parties, all manner of sexual misconduct, alcoholism, and a hilarious look at different types of Santa’s from other cultures.

Keeping the illusion of his character is an actor’s job, and Toby plays Rudy with ease, reeling the listener in with the Christmas standard “Midnight Clear.” The track seemingly becomes a studio outtake where he ad-libs and laments that he’s run out of scotch while the band continues to play. Eventually, he sends a young studio employee out at 4 am to get him a thousand dollars worth of scotch.

Your results may vary from mine, but I’ve listened to this album in the middle of August and smiled all the way. I don’t think you could possibly “wear” this album out. It’s adult Christmas perfection. I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. If I haven’t talked you into checking S’no Balls out yet, I guess I’m just not a very good writer (quite possible).

So, I’ll leave you with this: what have you got to lose? Nothing! What do you have to gain? A hilarious new Christmas tradition, of course. Get on it, people! Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and even regular old YouTube. Thank me in the comments.

– Andrew Earle (@p.s.idiot_music) is a contributor for www.vwmusicrocks.com and may be reached at dandyinc@hotmail.com