Hold Your Course
Nub, 2020
8/10
Though they’ve been around for 20 years now, this is just the 2nd album from The Kings Pond Shantymen, who use only vocals for their authentic shanty style that relies on male harmonies to fuel seafaring tunes and working and drinking songs.
“Rattle Them Winches” starts the listen where group vocals bring a call and response folk-ish tune, and the traditional “Sugar In The Hold” follows with an anthemic quality and memorable chorus.
Deeper into the listen, “Fathom The Bowl” brings a sing-along appeal with a highly melodic delivery, while “A Sailor Ain’t A Sailor” is a playful display of strong vocal prowess from the skilled ensemble. “Whip Jamboree”, the album highlight, is then an instantly enjoyable ditty that will have you singing instantly.
Closer to the end, “Bully In The Alley” makes an impression in less than 2 minutes as the members interact precisely, and “South Australia” exits the listen with the outfit doing what they do best- A cappella that’s timeless, warm and even comforting.
Certainly an anomaly group in a time where much music involves cramming as many instruments into a record as possible, sometime less is indeed more, and The Kings Pond Shantymen certainly embrace that and handle it with much care and talent.
Travels well with: Straight No Chaser- With A Twist; The Coats- Last A Lifetime