Album Review: Cheat Death

It has been six years since Pride of Bedlam released a studio album. That changes with their latest album, Cheat Death. Now they’ve gone through a bit of mix up since we last heard them on an album; though for many reading they’ve been through these changes via live shows. This album finds a new guitarist, bassist, fiddler and drummer and we’re curious to see what effect that has.

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. I also don’t appear to have a set way in how I do these reviews so expect track name, thoughts, and a score. At the end the scores are averaged to get the overall rating.

Pirate’s Life: We begin the album with a kicking the door down. A quick uptempo number with I am pretty sure is an original number. It hits all the expected pirate phrases that a passerby would expect to hear. There is a beautiful little guitar solo in there that is especially nice…plus a bonus at the end of the song for all listeners of the Inn. 4

Leaving Liverpool: If Life is the announcement of the album, Liverpool is where we take off. It doesn’t rewrite the book on Liverpool, but is arranged beautifully. In particular I really enjoy the fiddle throughout. It keeps the tempo up, making it a much more upbeat version as opposed to slow and melancholy. 4

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya: Now I know this, and a few others on the album, are songs Broadside have been wanting to do and put on an album for some time now. Much live Liverpool, there isn’t anything too surprising here, it’s Bedlam doing Johnny. They keep that tempo going that we’ve seen so far on the album; another very solid arrangement. 4

Foggy Dew: If folks remember our review last year of Bedlam’s live album you’ll remember our praise of Ginger and how she stole the show. Folks, it’s happening again. A beautiful arrangement; it doesn’t completely slow it down but about half their speed on the previous songs. Her vocals though; stellar. Words cannot do justice at how well Ginger performs this song; truly a stand out so far. 5

Sloop John B: This song has been a regular at the Sea Devil since just after the previous releases so it’s nice to finally see it on an album. Again, the fiddle is standing out amongst the arrangement. The nice surprise the harmonizing of the vocals, a nice mix. Though most know this from the Beach Boys, it is not a Beach Boys original, this is a traditional song. A nice tap your foot, smile, and enjoy rendition. 4

Old Black Rum: I’m a sucker for versions of Old Black Rum since I discovered it. A song from Great Big Sea, this is a great cover. Black Jack, not Gonzo, handles this with aplomb and is really in his element here. Every piece of the band really works beautifully here, a well oiled machine. 5

Devil’s Dance Floor: Now Devil’s Dance Floor is a favorite of their pub sings but hasn’t been on their album in some time; and you’re not quite there with this one. This version you may have to call the funk version with the addition of Blowfish on saxophone; a rarity in a pirate band. Ginger kills, but the funk is just fantastic. It’s a shame we can’t play this on the show, I love it so many ways. 5

Bully Boys: The mixture of Bully Boys is interesting as we have elements of Rum as well as the Funk Floor with the electronic guitar just jamming. Again Black Jack is fantastic with his vocals, the right mood if you will for the lyrics. I would think that this should have the audience dancing quite a bit out in the crowd, well half; the other half singing along with their mugs held high. 5

Fisherman Song: This may be the first song in the album where I didn’t know what to expect if we’re being honest. What are we treated with, another beautiful Ginger song. This feels like a song in the tradition of Mariner’s Revenge, a long beautiful piece that tells a story. If you took Annabel, South Australia and Mariner’s Revenge and mixed them all together I think this is what you’d end up with. Which doesn’t make too much sense since it’s a song from Silly Wizard but I’m trying to translate my thoughts to all of you. 4

Shipping Up To Boston: Another song that Broadside has been banging the table to get the band to play. The one downside, it’s exactly as you would think if you know the song. This is not to say it’s bad in any way; it’s just what you would expect. You have the surprise of Blowfish on the sax, which is surprising for the band not the song. Still a good cover, just nothing knew. 3

Whiskey In a Jar: Now a rare treat from Bedlam, Catgut (Cedric from Bedlam Bards) gets to sing! Almost every pirate band plays, or has the ability to, Jar. Now Catgut does a solid job, but again it’s a bit like Boston; it’s exactly what you expect from this song. Which is not a bad thing, if you’re playing in Texas you gotta have a fiddle in the band and all that, it just is. 3

If I Leave: Now for something completely different. This appears to be a duet between Black Jack and Ginger which has a late 60s feel. Soft and somber with some great fiddle. Now I tried to see if this was a cover, co-opted into a pirate song, and I can say it is not. This is a new original song from the band that one does not expect. One of those numbers that bands do that you may never see live but it just blows you away. 5

Cheat Death: Another original song from the band, based on the toast they give at the end of every set. It just happens to be the title song of the album; which is appropriate since it’s the one thing fans of the band would immediately recognize. The drums particularly stand out, which I think can be a rarity at times on albums. A great arrangemnet that should definitely get the crowd into it. 4

Devil’s Dance Floor (Traditional): Not sure I have too much to write here as we covered the funk version earlier. I think I’ve listened to that one too much as I now expect to hear the sax in parts. It is a vast improvement over their previous recording; but may suffer a bit from Jar and Boston problems; it’s what you expect. 3

John Kanaka: I find it a bit a funny that we with Kanaka as this is a song some of us would sing with the band after their pub sing as the Sea Devil cleared out. So to have it as the end of the album, chef’s kiss. The ambience produced into the song is a great effect to get that shanty being sung on a ship. 3

I believe I can safely say this is Pride of Bedlam’s best album to date. The surprise of new, original, songs was quite the treat. It is easily the best produced album they have released. The addition of the new members has given the band more weapons in their arsenal and up their ability even more so. Now it was six years since the previous albums, hopefully we don’t have to wait that long for the next one.