Album Review: Three Pennies Short EP

Three Pennies Short is the firest EP from The Penniless Jacks and actually the first EP we’ve reviewed so a bit excited about the new experience. Now the Jacks are a three person group from the New England area who all have experience playing with many other acts but in 2018 have dedicated themselves to focus specifically on Jacks. They enjoy playing fun drinking songs, shanties and music that you can dance to. It is a nice mixture of traditional shanties that people expect to hear at a faire and some new numbers to keep folks interest.

The EP starts with “Clip Clop Cobblestone” which I have to admit, I’ve never heard of before. There is a nice beat that will quickly have you nodding your head and tapping your foot. Sadly the instruments are drowning the vocals a bit but it doesn’t necessarily take away from the song as the melody is quite enjoyable.

“Deadman’s Company” is up next, with a new lead singer which is always nice. Still having issues a bit with the levels but definitely hearing the vocals a bit better on this one. A playful song, that I sadly can’t play on the show due to rights, that I think lyrically is a big hit during shows. It feels like a song that regulars sing a long to. Again the band are a great mixture together and actually sounds like there is more going on than just three people, which is impressive.

Up next is “Disappointment Island”. I really dig the guitar playing on this song, there is something beautiful being played melodically. Lyrically it does a really strong job telling a story in the style of traditional shanties and should be commended. It has that playfulness that you also find in “Company” which I think gives a good picture of who the band is and the style of music they like to play.

“Jolly Rovin’ Tar” follows which is a traditional shanty that most know. Though not necessarily played at an increased speed than most are used to, the two different percussion points does give a feel of an increased speed in the song. I really like the interplay during the harmonies between the male and female vocals, not sure why, it just really sounds really nice. The emphasis towards the end of the song is a nice touch.

I think every pirate band does “Rollin’ Down to Old Maui”; what I strikes me on this version is the guitar playing. There is some excellent and unique playing that it is setting it apart from other versions I’ve heard, especially at the beginning of the song. The main vocals has some grit to it which makes it in an interesting mixture when (I think) Becka joins in around the chorus.

“Scofield Dear” is a song I’m not quite familiar with but am taken with immediately. I think it’s the mixture of, once again, excellent guitar playing and the vocals. Actually my first instinct was that it reminded me of Ye Banished Privateers “Annabel”. Again I think the levels are getting in the way a bit as the drums are drowning out the guitar and vocals; but not to the point it has lessened the song. Easily my favorite song on the album.

We end with “Auckland to the Bluff”. I think the entire band is singing during this song, which goes well for their version of “Auckland”. This version my first impression is they play it as if a warning to others. There’s something in the vocals that is almost pleading to you that you know what is happening. I would wager that this is one of the songs that folks really dig in person, clapping and stomping along to.

Having never seen The Penniless Jacks in person I think this EP likely does a real good job of giving you an insight into what kind of band they are. A strong mix of traditional songs, done with their own take, along with others that are signs to expect bigger things from them. Three of the songs are originals written by the band and I would go as far as saying they are the strongest songs on the album, especially Scofield Dear. I eagerly look forward to their first full length album and highly recommend seeing them in the New England area and picking this up from them.