Album Review: When I Get Home From Across the Sea

When I Get Home From Across the Sea is the seventh album from the New England based band Sharks Come Cruisin; their third full length and first full length since A Past We Forget That We Need To Know in 2011. Sharks have been playing together since November 2002 which easily makes them one of our longest playing bands on the station. They enjoy playing a mixture of original and traditional songs with a focus on sing-a-long songs that fans truly enjoy. They love keeping audience participation and celebration as a key to their shows; which as we all know is something I personally really enjoy in a band.

We start the album off with the timeless classic “South Australia”. The usage of the squeezebox to start the song immediately brings that traditional feel, even though they are more of a modern band when it comes to instruments. However in this songs I’m hearing so many different instruments it’s blowing my mind. Squeeze box, violin, tambourine, drums, guitars; I think I can hear all these and now maybe even a banjo. What a beautiful blend to a traditional song that elevates it past “what everyone does”.  A great opening song to an album that gives you a great sense of who the band is.

“Running Down to Cuba” starts off with what feels like a mixture of 70s country and southern rock to start with. It is an interesting mix since I’m not sure I’ve heard “Cuba” done in anything other than a truly traditional sense. Two songs in and I think I can already identify the type of folks who love this band, it’s the same here in Houston who flock to Blaggards shows. The mix so far has been a perfect mix of levels, no one overplaying the other. This is a band who has been together for almost twenty years and have perfected what they do.

Next is “Julianna” which brings that banjo to the forefront. It sounds like a traditional English shanty that has been taken to the Appalachian Mountains and picked up a pace. Would be a huge hit in Texas and any regions that have two-steppin as it is perfect for those speed two-steppers. There doesn’t appear to be a break in the song at all and I almost want a musical interlude, but fine song none the less.

“Eliza Lee” on this album I think is definitely influenced by The Dreadnoughts version of the song. No instruments, just vocal and some good harmony. This goes to reinforce that those who would LOVE this band are the same people I know as they also love The Dreadnoughts. A solid rendition that I think is in the right place on the album.

We come next to “Donkey Riding”, one of favorite things to play around with with The Bilge Pumps. A staple of many acts at many faires; the pace once again is picked up. The picking adds an interesting element to the song that I haven’t heard before. For the first time I think we get the focus of the melodica; which is the perfect song to focus on it. The song is so fun and playful having that as the core background melody brings a smile to my face.

“The Leaving of Liverpool” immediately takes me to a 50s style sad love song in the Sharks style and I am REALLY digging it. The 50s mixed with their 70s country vibe is strong in this strong and gives the listener a range not found in many places. Interestingly enough it has found a good pace between the slow, sad versions of this song and the faster paced versions which really works with this style their showing on this album. Again the levels on this song are absolutely fantastic, my hats off to the producer. The musical interlude allows both the banjo and what I think may be fiddle have their own moments, which is really nice.

This next song’s title, “Roll, Alabama, Roll”, is likely my father’s favorite pirate song now based on the title alone. It has to be said that “Liverpool” and “Alabama” are placed next to each other perfectly in my opinion on the album. A great middle separation between the front and end of the album. Now “Alabama” begins with some fantastic guitar playing to begin with which blends nicely when the banjo and other instruments are brought in. Knowing how audience focused the Sharks are I’m going to guess this is a big lighter song. One thing I know for certain; this song would be an absolute hit in Alabama and played after every Crimson Tide victory.

“Farewell to Nova Scotia” is a song where it is either played quick or slow and we’ve definitely got the quick version. Another two-stepping style song, I definitely can see fans getting up and dancing along to this number. You cannot help but clap or stomp along to the percussion in the song and I am going to go ahead and guess this is a huge fan participation song.

Now “Blood Red Roses” is a traditional number I don’t know if I’ve ever heard from a band of this style. It is usually a capella when I hear it so this is absolutely a new experience. I can’t really put my finger on this song; it is the most interesting mixture of traditional style of the song with these modern instruments. It leads to a quirky mix where I’m not quite sure if I really like it or am not the biggest fan of. In the end that very well may the fate of this song; you either really dig it or it gets under your skin because you want the traditional version. I’m going to have to think about this for some time to figure out where I actually sit on it.

“Blow Ye Winds” is a traditional song that Sharks have taken and for the most part have kept traditional sounding with their specific twist on the song. Knowing that their location is the New England area I would put money that this is a popular local song with all the “cheap pops” this song naturally has with all the city naming taking place. It also probably has the added benefit of, when playing live, you can easily change the name of the cities to wherever you may be. What I really love on this song is the subtle playing of all the instruments that blend beautifully to compliment the vocals.

We end with “Off to Sea Once More” and are immediately greeted with electric guitar; which I did not think I was actually expecting. A traditional song that was quite popular back in the 60s and 70s appears I am really digging the dark feeling I’m getting in this version. The lyrics itself is not all rainbows and unicorns to begin with but I think I find version a bit too cherry given the subject manner. Then again it is about getting drunk and being robbed by a prostitute so it can be sang as more of a joke than anything. I think I can easily say that these are my favorite vocals on the album; the deepness of his tone is perfect for this song.

When I Get Home From Across the Sea is a solid album and one that I can honestly say is unlike any other I’ve heard recently. Sharks Come Cruisin have a definite sound that is unique to them in the pirate scene. Save for “Eliza Lee” I don’t see any other immediate influence on the music; which is rare in my opinion. It is a bit of a departure from their previous albums; they had more of a pure rock sound. This inclusion of the banjo and melodica to a more prominent position gives them a unique sound that they can be really proud.