Cockswain "Séamus"
Release date: April 20, 2015
Running time: 31:31, 9 tracks
Cockswain is a Cetic/pirate band hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. They are two girls and four guys: Mo Perzan (flute, tin whistle, piano, vocals), Amanda Lubking (fiddle, backing vocals), Neil Jay Ward (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and songwriting), Wake Lubking (tenor banjo, 5 string banjo and vocals), Clint Davis (bass, backing vocals) and Shane Smith (drums, backing vocals). "Séamus" is their impressive debut, a CD showcasing Neil's songwriting skills and a traditional set of tunes.
Cockswain have taken an interesting seafaring approach on their lyrics and musically they have chosen to add to their sound some sax by guest Tuff Eddy.
The album opener is titled "Tonight We Dance" and it's a mid-tempo sing-along on which some of their heroes are mentioned: Brendan Behan and Shane MacGowan.
"Gods Have no Graves" is a badass instrumental. That's the kind of stuff that I miss on some recordings
The shanty "All Hands on Deck" is one of the album's highlights. There is also a shade of gypsy music which is more obvious on the following number, "Ghost Ship".
"Hanged Man" is probably my choice. One could feel that it's an instrumental because of the dancing intro. However, it's a fantastic song with great banjo, fiddle, whistle and hey shouts.
The next number is a duet boy/girl, "Long Lonesome Road", a ballad with la-da-da-oh chorus.
"Damned to Hell" is Celtic punk at its best and "Sailor's Son" is a number that Celtic punk fans will enjoy too. Between those tracks, Cockswain deliver a set of tunes: "Wind That Shakes the Barley / Cock o' the North".
"Séamus" comes in a jewel case. All the lyrics to the songs can be found on the 4 page booklet, together with full info about the band (line-up, website, favebook page), guests on the album and credits. The amazing cover artwork has been drawn by Jeremy "Zombie Yeti" Packer and the back cover picture has been shot by Marlow Sharpe.
Cockswain's debut album has every single thing that I love to find on a Celtic punk/rock CD: shanties and sailors' songs, catchy chorus, uptempo songs, some gypsy drops, instrumentals and no overexposed ballads. Maybe some arrangements could have improved the final result, but one thing is clear: all of the tracks are rad songs. Hats-off!
Release date: April 20, 2015
Running time: 31:31, 9 tracks
Cockswain is a Cetic/pirate band hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. They are two girls and four guys: Mo Perzan (flute, tin whistle, piano, vocals), Amanda Lubking (fiddle, backing vocals), Neil Jay Ward (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and songwriting), Wake Lubking (tenor banjo, 5 string banjo and vocals), Clint Davis (bass, backing vocals) and Shane Smith (drums, backing vocals). "Séamus" is their impressive debut, a CD showcasing Neil's songwriting skills and a traditional set of tunes.
Cockswain have taken an interesting seafaring approach on their lyrics and musically they have chosen to add to their sound some sax by guest Tuff Eddy.
The album opener is titled "Tonight We Dance" and it's a mid-tempo sing-along on which some of their heroes are mentioned: Brendan Behan and Shane MacGowan.
"Gods Have no Graves" is a badass instrumental. That's the kind of stuff that I miss on some recordings
The shanty "All Hands on Deck" is one of the album's highlights. There is also a shade of gypsy music which is more obvious on the following number, "Ghost Ship".
"Hanged Man" is probably my choice. One could feel that it's an instrumental because of the dancing intro. However, it's a fantastic song with great banjo, fiddle, whistle and hey shouts.
The next number is a duet boy/girl, "Long Lonesome Road", a ballad with la-da-da-oh chorus.
"Damned to Hell" is Celtic punk at its best and "Sailor's Son" is a number that Celtic punk fans will enjoy too. Between those tracks, Cockswain deliver a set of tunes: "Wind That Shakes the Barley / Cock o' the North".
"Séamus" comes in a jewel case. All the lyrics to the songs can be found on the 4 page booklet, together with full info about the band (line-up, website, favebook page), guests on the album and credits. The amazing cover artwork has been drawn by Jeremy "Zombie Yeti" Packer and the back cover picture has been shot by Marlow Sharpe.
Cockswain's debut album has every single thing that I love to find on a Celtic punk/rock CD: shanties and sailors' songs, catchy chorus, uptempo songs, some gypsy drops, instrumentals and no overexposed ballads. Maybe some arrangements could have improved the final result, but one thing is clear: all of the tracks are rad songs. Hats-off!
Tracklist (click to listen to the songs on soundcloud):
1. Tonight We Dance 3:46
2. Gods Have No Graves 2:33
3. All Hands On Deck 4:31
4. Ghost Ship 2:34
5. Hanged Man 3:10
6. Long Lonesome Road 3:52
7. Damned to Hell 3:02
8. Wind That Shakes the Barley / Cock O' the North 4:20
9. Sailor's Son 3:45
Website
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Review by Kinksmarkham
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