The Dreadnoughts -‘Into the North’ (2019)
Rating: 9/10
Release: 15 November 2019
Label: Stomprecords
I’ve been a fan of The Dreadnoughts for a while. They are unafraid to challenge the norms in music and have been a force for some time in the punk and folk music scene. Always fond of Sea shanty’s they have finally put out a full album of traditional sea songs. I’m very fond of these types of songs and as such I’m enjoying this to the fullest. A few years back Great Big Sea put out a similar album and it has been a favorite of mine. I think these type of songs with minimal instruments are either your thing or they aren’t. For me vocal driven folk songs really showcase the harmony and pure quality of a great song and these are great songs. From the rousing opener Rosibella to the mournful Shallow Brown The amazing harmonies really sparkle. Songs like Roll Northumbria and The Stan Rogers penned Northwest Passage make you feel like you are on the deck of a ship in the pitching waves singing with your mates. Sometimes joyful, (Joli Rouge, Whup! Jamboree) sometimes saucy,(Lifeboat Man.Paddy Lay Back) but always engaging. The album contains a tribute to Stan Rogers with Northwest Passage and Dear Old Stan,both songs are amazing. What Instruments are employed are perfect in every way especially the percussion which drives most of the tunes and there is one very good traditional music track, Harper’s Frolic/Bonny Kate. By the time the last word of Starbucks Complaint leaves your ears its as if you’ve been on a journey across the sea with your crew of misfits. I love this album and cannot stop listening it is fairly short or maybe it just seems short but I cant stop hitting repeat and harmonizing the songs.
Obviously I’m gushing about this but it is a specific type of music and you’ll either love it or not. Its a minimalist album driven mostly by voice and harmony and its very traditional. One of my favorite for the year and if you like this type of thing it will probably be one of yours as well. Well done Dreadnoughts! Roll on I will anticipate your next voyage.
Tracklist
- Rosibella
- Fire Marengo
- Pique La Baleine
- Roll Northumbria
- Joli Rouge
- Lifeboat Man
- Shallow Brown
- Whup! Jamboree
- Paddy Lay Back
- Dear Old Stan
- Northwest Passage
- Sacramento
- Harper’s Folly/Bonny Kate
- Shiloh
- Starbuck’s Complaint