Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

California-based producers Jerad Atherton and Josh Auer - collectively known as CHPTRS -tapped into the seasonal market a while back with this reading of Robert Burns' renowned Hogmanay poem "Auld Lang Syne". Atherton and Auer kick things off in contemplative fingerpicked fashion before introducing some piano and ball and chain percussion before ending with something of a village hall singalong, all to good effect. Like most of us, the pair only sing the first verse of this time-honoured ditty and therefore avoid the difficult task of having to make Burns' thick Scots prose found later on in the song more palatable for international ears. Nonetheless, the sentiment of the song remains and this is a worthwhile version of one of the most recognised and used pieces ever written. An instrumental version of the single has also been released which gives the listener the perfect opportunity to tackle those other more challenging verses!

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