Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Even the most seemingly sophisticated on music lovers have a weakness. They might try to fool you with talk of the hip and fashionable, the chic and stylish and swanky facts of the current trends but they still have a tremendous weakness for something, something that makes them smile despite themselves and if only they would show that smile more often the world might just be a nicer place in which to reside.
Alestorm’s latest release, Sunset on the Golden Age, is one such album in which the smile should broaden with the sweeping gesture of a person finding out they have been vindicated in their way of life, or even just finding out that their favourite beer has been reduced in price for one night only and they are the only ones drinking it.
For a set of songs that has the group labelled under the promisingly titled Pirate Metal, Alestorm are more than able to ride roughshod over the sea of derision that comes their way in waves and has their detractors hoping that at some point this Perthshire band will flounder upon the rocks. However Alestorm have that one rare quality in a group, that one characteristic that sets them apart from the haters, not only do they produce great songs in which to cheer but they sound as they just really couldn’t care less what people thought of them. It is that one element that that proves their value. If people become fans then so be it but you can tell just listening to Christopher Bowes, Dani Evans, Gareth Murdock, Elliot Vernon and Peter Alcorn that they wouldn’t even bother looking for Tuppence to give.
It is this admirable quality which makes Sunset on the Golden Age a cracker to listen to. Sure it might not get the same repetitive play on your C.D. player that others justify their existence with but nonetheless it stirs the flagon and pokes the Admiral lovingly in the eye.
The growling vocals, the speed of the guitar and the beat of a drum powering through the album as if instructing the oarsmen below to get to the battle ahead with days to spare, all combine to make songs such as Magnetic North, Drink, the brilliant Wooden Leg and 1741 (The Battle of Cartagena) give the same energy that such bands as Skyclad and the much missed Tankard before them did with poetic abundance.
Kismet, something’s are just meant to be found and taken into the heart. Sunset on the Golden Age claims that right.
Ian D. Hall