Release date: 29 April 2014 (digital) 28 May 2014 (physical)
Running time: 43:46, 13 tracks
Dave Gallows formed Pyrates! in England in 2006 and that incarnation of the band released a demo-EP in 2007. When he moved to The Netherlands some years ago, he re-formed Pyrates! with a bunch of local musicians. Dressed with pirates costumes, they made a name for themselves in the pirate/festival circuit. After having released their 9 track debut album in 2011, the following crew members have recorded their sophomore CD: David Gallows (lead vocals, guitars, mandolin), Bart van den Akker aka Black Bart (drums, percussion, vocals), Martin van der Mijden aka Navigator Marty (bass, vocals) and Ralf Zegelink aka Marauder Ralf (fiddle, vocals). “Uncharted Lands” is a 13 track album where Pyrates! offer their own renditions of some classics and some unusual shanties and sea songs. Musically, Pyrates! have their roots in the British folk rock scene, but they add interesting festive elements in the Celtic Canadian vein. The fiddling is top-notch, but bass and electric guitar are also amazing on some tracks.
The opening number “The Dreadnaught” and the closing number “Bold Rubber” have the epic folk-rock twist. The well-known Morrison’s jig is played at the end of the former. “Fire Marengo” and “Haul Away Joe” are a couple of shanties that are sung a capella. “Chicken on a Raft” is a kick-ass version of this “new” shanty. It’s reminiscent of the Oysterband’s songs from the “Rise”/”Little Rock to Leipzig” era. In fact, David Gallows vocals sound similar to John Jones’.
“Blow Ye Winds” has a party side à la Dust Rhinos; “Excursion Around The Bay” gets a more electric treatment than the Great Big Sea’s cover; and “Ocean Waves May Roll” is an awesome version of a song previously recorded by German speed-folkers Fiddler’s Green under the name “The Mermaid”.
Pyrates! have also recorded a couple of over-exposed songs. “The Irish Rover” doesn’t disappoint and “South Australia” is improved by adding an instrumental. Finally, the guys have included a set of tunes called “New World Medley” consisting of “Scotland the Brave”, “Oh Susannah”and “Camptown Races”
“Uncharted Lands” is available on both digital and physical versions. The CD has a four page booklet providing all the credits, but no lyrics. I’ve added the links to the lyrics to the songs and some info about them (Click on the song titles under Tracklist)
Pyrates! second album is full of traditional songs, but these buccaneers have chosen several gems that are normally overlooked and they have given to them a new lease of life. A good addition to your pirate music collection.
Tracklist:
01. The Dreadnaught 05:01
02. Excursion Around the Bay 02:43
03. Valparaiso 03:20
04. Chicken on a Raft 03:09
05. South Australia 02:48
06. Ocean Waves May Roll 03:14
07. Fire Marengo 01:40
08. Irish Rover 05:02
09. Blow Ye Winds 03:22
10. Haul Away Joe 02:25
11. New World Medley 02:46
12. Backside Rules the Navy 03:31
13. Bold Robber 04:12
Website
Soundcloud
Click to buy:
Bandcamp (Digital copy)
Band's Store (Physical copy)
Review by Kinksmarkham
