A CD release party typically represents the introduction of something new (namely, a new album). But there was something inherently familiar about the Trews’ album launch at the Danforth Music Hall on Saturday.

Perhaps it was because the boys from Antigonish, Nova Scotia served up a generous helping of crowd favourites, including mid-2000’s hits “Not Ready to Go” and “Tired of Waiting.” Maybe it was the clear respect for their Canadian forebearers, as demonstrated by guest appearances by Gord Sinclair of the Tragically Hip and Gordie Johnson of BIg Sugar. It may have even been the capacity crowd of 1,500 fans in attendance, who happily belted out the words to just about every one of the 18 songs.

The Trews’ fun-loving vibe, best personified when eight musicians gathered around two mics during an encore performance of “Ishmael and Maggie,” mixed perfectly with the gritty-but-charming Danforth Music Hall to build an informal, relaxed atmosphere.

Although the band didn’t spend much time on the mic between songs, they found time to express gratitude for the fans in attendance and to recognize their East Coast roots. During “Highway of Heroes,” they recognized a friend in the armed forces for whom the song was written and paid tribute to all Canadian forces — “but not the war,” as they were quick to specify — by displaying soldiers on the handful of screens scattered around the stage.

While “Highway of Heroes” offered a heavy-hearted moment to the two-hour set, those were few and far between during a night that was predominantly fun in nature. The show practically erupted into a sing-along when the band introduced their high-energy hit, "The Power of Positive Drinking", for which Big Sugar's Johnson joined them.

The Hall’s energy, coupled with a smooth, up tempo set filled with plenty of the band’s most familiar hits, made for a rapid two hours. By the time the Trews got to their penultimate show closer “Not Ready to Go,” the crowd on hand really wasn’t ready to go.