Album Review: Kraken-Whacker

Kraken-Whacker is the second album from the group Quartermaster, an all male band who sings in 3 part harmony. You might think they are an A Cappella group but nay they do use a concertina, a bass and a mandolin. They are ever so much fun live as you can tell they are all quite enjoying themselves. They consider their genre as pub songs about booze, sex and the sea so naturally they fit right in here. 

A reminder on how we do reviews on the show. I write my thoughts here as I listen to the album; in a sense what you’re reading is a stream of thought from yours truly. I am in no way qualified to give my opinion but as the Proprietor of the Inn I do feel duty bound to do reviews of the bands, for the bands and for our listeners as well.

We start the album off with “John Barleycorn”. I apparently forgot to add flute as there is a beautiful sound happening at the beginning of the song. Now “Barleycorn” is a traditional song I don’t hear near enough and it’s nice to see here. You immediately get that feel of 3 part harmony. The mandolin may be a bit high on the mix as it overpowers the lyrics a bit, but that’s only a personal preference I think. It doesn’t re-work the wheel but with a song not often heard there really is no need to. Solid opening salvo to start the album.

“Black Sheep” comes up next and I wonder if it’s a pirate version of the Metric song, nope, definitely not. The chorus for this song shows their talent at harmony without a doubt. I for one love the story that is going on in this song; especially as the perceived “black sheep” of my family. I think it can be popular with those of us in the pirate life; we often are the black sheep of the families. Has a bit of “Mariner’s Revenge” in the story telling. What can I say, the song is speaking to me on a personal level.

We come to “Nantucket Sleigh Ride” and I am hoping for new holiday music. Sadly I don’t think it is but I think, judging by the chorus, this is a big audience interaction song. I can see the guys picking out audience members of the audience and singing and gesturing right to them. I also think the mix on this song is the best so far on the album. Everything about this song is screaming audience having fun and participating in every manner, especially children.

“Day of the Clipper” is a song we’re familiar with due to the Missouri based bands. This is the first song where the concertina is a main focus I think. A perfect balance between the harmonies and the instruments. The mix is a perfect blend and this is really well produced. Where the previous song was an audience participation bit, this is that song where the audience just sit back and enjoy the music around them; just close their eyes and sway a bit as they get lost in the song.

Now it’s always a pleasure to see a new version of “Fiddlers Green”; even if I’m biased at where the bar has been set due to Pride O’ Bedlam. However Quartermaster is nothing like Bedlam so I look forward to something completely new. As someone who is slowly trying to learn the concertina to hear it used in this manner makes me very happy. A bit quicker and chipper than I am used to; it sounds fantastic. Also another fantastic mix; actually this may have the best vocal mix so far on the album. It’s not bringing in those sad feelings, but the quicker and chipper has a feeling of singing about myself and less about others.

“Long Way Down Below” is an interesting title choice following “Fiddlers” if you think about song subject; I like it. I brings a darker feel than what has been on the album; closer to “Sheep” than “Clipper” if that makes sense. I am really enjoying the flute on this, but the harmony and instruments all together being as low as they are almost gives a muddled sound. I think that’s why the flute stands out so much, it’s a bit different then the rest. We finally get out of that muddled towards the end but a bit too little too late. I do really like what it does at the end so perhaps that was the intended effect.

Ah the delicious sounds of the concertina starts “The Mermaid”. Now those of us who spend quality time at Sherwood Forest Faire sing this song often so it’s always nice to hear a new take. Not too many bands do it in the Sherwood style, but Quartermaster is here and it does bring a smile to my face. There is some great instrumental choices going on in this song that I haven’t heard before which again takes me to back to Sherwood. It does appear every member is getting their time in the sun which is always nice to see in a big band. Already one of my favorite versions of “The Mermaid” if that tells you how I feel about it.

“Kraken-Whacker” is the title song of the album and is already making me thirsty just reading it. The beginning of the song reminds me of another one of their songs “Tappster Drinker”; save for the lyrics. A song telling a story and we all know how I feel about those. I am going back and forth between quoting the lyrics and going phrasing, which is an absolute delight. One of the more original songs I’ve heard from a traditional style bands in some time. 

It will be hard to pass that previous song, let’s see how “Seafood Shanty” holds up. I am already in love with the lyrics, keeps that borderline phrasing deal that “Kraken” was doing so it’s placed perfectly in the album. I love the line “if you know the words, if you don’t just hum” great life advice. This song is the very definition of fun and I’m a bit at a loss of words on how to describe it. It very well may be a song you have to hear to come to your own description.

“We’re Looking for Fish” sounds like it’s going to continue our playful streak that started with “Kraken”. Right now I am thinking about how I need to see this to Cassie to play for Fish. Another solid mix between the vocals and instruments that has me literally moving my head from side to side. It is also a fairly quick song so it doesn’t go on too long as some songs tend to do. I do think though we have a theme song when going about Sherwood looking for Fish.

We jump right into “Jolly Tinker” and I’m curious if the playfulness is going to continue. 15 seconds in and the song has my eyes wide so I would most definitely say the fun has begun to turn itself towards 11, at least in subject matter. This song falls in the realm of Salty Dick and Arthur Greenleaf Holmes if that helps you with the type of subject matter this song has. Funny how this album has reminded me so much of Sherwood; this is now having me think of the French King. This will be a big hit in certain realms, you know, my friends.

“Ja Ja Leider” begins with a bit of polka feel due to the concertina and well, the German. It is in fact German which translates to I’m Afraid So according to Google. Well, I think we finally found a pirate Octoberfest song and it makes me quite happy. This is most definitely a drinking song since the only English I can hear are types of drinks. Oddly enough I don’t think we have any German language pirate songs at the Inn until now. Because of this it continues that playful streak; and makes me want a Liter of Bitburger.

We end with “Come Sirrah Jack Ho”; which very well may be A Cappella. Because of this we are experiencing the beauty of the three part harmony that the band practices. Now this song comes back from the 1600s and I can only guess that this song is done in a very traditional sense, it was written as an A Cappella and as we mentioned, performed as such. A fine song to end the album with, but I may have put something in between “Leider” and this as it was such an abrupt change. Again, just my own personal preference.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I’ve always enjoyed watch Quartermaster live, but this album took that next step from their first album that you don’t always see. Much like O’Craven earlier this year, Quartermaster improved on their previous work and forced us to turn our heads towards them. They should be commended for making a sound that is completely their own in a region with a great number of pirate bands. Their stretch of songs from “Kraken-Whacker” to “Ja Ja Leider” is amongst the best stretches on any album we’ve heard this year. Do yourselves a favor and go buy your copy today.