Album Review: Tails From The Sea

Fairly new to the scene it feels like, The Minstrel Rav’n has already produced three albums with this latest entry being, Tails From The Sea. Now I’m not sure if it is the relatively short time he’s been around, or his drive, but Rav’n is always striving to improve on his music and it really comes to a head in this album. It has more musical guests than most folks have on their entire discography so I expect it to be quite the show.

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.

The Shanty Man: We begin the album with a song that was partly cobbled together with help from our own Black Strap Buccaneers. As folks know, I’m a sucker for a good parody song and the beginning of this song definitely checks that box. The nice thing about this song as it can work as a song to start the show, or if we’re being honest as a closer. A, did we miss anything if so here’s something to maybe catch up. 5

Shivered me Timber: Now for something a little different. One can only guess that we have a musical guest on the guitar on this number. That hard rocking sound on our first bawdy song of the album. The best we could describe this as is a night in the life of The Minstrel Rav’n? Definitely has that storytelling that we all know I enjoy. If I may be so bold, maybe a piratical version of Gimmie Three Steps? 4

Crows Nest: We are going on a journey of musical styles aren’t we. I believe we begin with a mandolin? Quickly joined in by multiple instruments and it feels like an old school jam session. I think we’re up to at least five instruments with the fiddle joining in and I’m fairly certain this is a jam session. Maybe a bit early in the album to have one for my taste, but it’s a lovely tune. 4

Sirens of the Bay: We begin with a a subtle and darker tone than we’re used to Rav’n. Keeping up with what we say in Timber it’s story time with Rav’n and who does not enjoy a good Siren story? The fiddle/violin on the song is just haunting and really takes you and completely works. 4

Grymsbee: Pipes? Is that what we’re hearing, sure sounds like. One down side to it, it’s ALMOST overpowering the vocals. Again Rav’n is giving us a little something different; but still very much his style. It keeps up the storytelling style that we’ve seen in this album so it definitely fits on the album; I’m just not sure how much it’s doing for me. There is a LOT going on in the song and I’m not sure it all works? 3

Ol’ Man Cosgrove’s Lasses: Another song born from the Black Strap Buccaneers about our favorite family of Irish game players. I think I would have put this between Timber and Crows but damn if this song doesn’t do a good job of representing the Cosgroves. Now the real test is whether or not it does a good job for those who have no idea who they are; which I think it does. 4

Dinghy Ride Boogie: Another jam session, but this one inspired by a previous Rav’n song. A bit of dueling guitar action, it’s fine, but feels a bit like filler. I think I would have put this right before the 4 Part Trilogy as a good separator, but I do understand it is supposed to lead into the next song. 3

Release the Kraken: We get that rocking feeling that we had previously on Timber, which in my opinion is an important companion piece to have on an album when changing things up. Vocals are good and clear and the number has a bit of a 50s surfer jam vibe; which really works when you get into the lyrics. In true Rav’n fashion they are lyrics that can be taken in many ways, and should be a great live song. 4

Sea Elf: We know start the 4 Part trilogy of Saucy Jack. A lighter tune than what we’ve had so far it has that fun play with lyrics of playing with your expectations of what he’s talking about. Now I can say I think this will be a big hit with certain people, namely those who identify with the main character of the song. There’s just something preventing me from absolutely loving it, and for the life of me I just can’t put my finger on it. Almost like I’m waiting for the next step and it’s not happening? 3

The Ballad of Shanty Mae: Now, of all the songs on the album so far, this is the most familiar feel of a Rav’n song. In that it sounds like it would have been at home on either of his previous albums. The thing I find interesting about this song, it feels so much like an old traditional sailor song when you listen to the lyrics. Always have a gotta have a good song about everyone’s favorite wench. 4

Nunya Bidniss: Another song that feels very much like an old traditional sailor song. There’s a little bit of Willoughby Caught in this song; it feels so much a song she would write. It is quite the fun song and you can easily tell why it’s so easy to get folks to sing along with it. It’s one of those songs that bring a smile to your face and you can’t place why exactly; it just works. 4

Saucier Jack: A sequel of a sorts to his song, Saucy Jack. Of course you have to end with Saucier Jack as it completes the four part trilogy. Now as we go on, it’s less a sequel and more of a…remix to Saucy Jack. Some new instruments, background vocals, etc. The guitar riffs in added in, I gotta be honest, makes it feel like a end of concert song. For whatever reason I am having real We Gave Rock N Roll To You vibes; KISS fans know what I mean. 4

For his third album Rav’n has definitely taken a step forward. The stories in the songs are more robust, he’s willing to take more chances musically, and for the most part it works. How the album is lined up, I would have moved a few things, but it works. It has to say something that so many are willing to come together and help get this made as I mentioned there are five guest musicians, not counting the Fishy Nets. We look forward to the next Rav’n album.