The Shipbuilders New Album Review

By Mal Keenan

‘Spring Tide‘ is the long-awaited debut album from ‘The Shipbuilders‘, a surf-rock, folk-indie band from Liverpool. The band have been very prominent on the Mersey music scene since forming through their releases which have always come across as offering something unique, exciting, and quirky to listen to yet sounding very well-produced. This album is no different featuring many tracks aimed at those looking for a musical voyage across a sea complete with highs and lows and stories a-plenty. In their own words, they describe their sound as taking in influences to “create a world where sparkling pop wonders are nestled between Spanish Civil War laments, gypsy arias, and chaotic, shambolic odes to drinking, death, and everything in between.” A perfect release we can listen to as we sit down in the sun drinking a tequila or two as we enter spring and then onto summer.

The album starts off with the track ‘Strangers Lament‘, which greets us with a haunting and sombre south American style guitar before kicking into the song proper. We are introduced to frontman Matty Loughlin-Day’s dextrous vocals which traverses the peaks and troughs of the song like a ship across the ocean with ease. (expect more sea-faring puns as we go through the album). His vocals compliment the Mexican style backing from the band matching every high note played throughout. The backing itself includes a subtle accordion adding to the acoustic and reverb laden lead at crucial moments in the song to bring more “oomph” meaning the song never gets boring. As haunting as the song starts, it finishes leaving us wanting more and excited at what awaits us.

Next up we have ‘La Fee Verte’. We are introduced to the song with distortion, a deceivingly simple intro with raw guitar strums, and an easy guitar riff. All pretenses are washed away as an energetic upbeat track comes about which brings forth a vision of the band playing in a low-lit cosy bar in a secluded backstreet of a city in America. This image is further brought about by the inclusion a trumpet sound and piano and raucous backing vocals shouts of exclamation and joy making you think of an impromptu jam session. As with many jam sessions, it’s over before you know it and again, leaves you wanting more from these amazingly talented musicians.

A surf rock music style in the form of jangly reverb-laden guitars and haunting melodies makes a return in ‘Hanging me at Dawn’ now with a fast drum tempo akin to that of a horse racing across the arid plains of South America evoking the feeling of a cowboy western. The lyrics themselves tell a story in a similar vein with the tale of someone who is going to be hanged at dawn talking to his love about his dire situation and what to do should he not be rescued. Frontman, Matty Loughlin-Day showcases his ability to spin a yarn using his creative writing to its full extent to do so. A hauntingly emotive track that captures your imagination.

‘Fault Line‘ follows on with yet another example of great creative lyric-play this time telling the story of someone working in the mines and how bleak it looks for them. The upbeat nature of the style of this song and the powerful and skilled vocals from Matty contrast that of the story however making the tale a great-sounding jaunty number. I was excited to see this track’s inclusion on this album having heard it live many times and being a favourite of mine and I’m sure it will be the favourite of many others too.

A low bass sound introduces us to ‘Wild Atlantic Way‘ quickly then accompanied by that jam session style guitars and simple drumbeat. The sad style of the song conjures up an imagined setting of a down and out jazz club with a crowd listening intently to the singer’s tales. Matty again gives his all during the verses and chorus reaching all new highs with his vocal performance going further to prove his prowess and dexterity.  As the song passes the halfway mark, Matty and The Shipbuilders ramp up the energy complete with trumpets and raw rhythm guitar. With enough breaks to divide the song up and the change in tone the song never gets boring and keeps you listening.

A two-minute intro as a love note to the Indian style of music complete with a Sitar styled instrument opens up ‘Silk Road‘, inspired by the various Silk Road sites that were used for Silk Trading in India. The song then progresses into a more contemporary folk tune about romance on the Silk Road but keeping in touch with the Indian influence by way of the singing style offered by Matty and from their guitar-work. The guitar itself here brings forth a style reminiscent of instrumental guitarist Hank Marvin renowned for being the father of surf-rock. An interesting and creative take on the Indian sound bringing it right up to date in this surf-rock track.

‘Forrest Floor‘ follows on from Silk Road offering up a pleasing tempo brought by the drums and guitar. Matty takes us through this song again singing his way through a story of someone sheltering from the storm – metaphorical or literal? Maybe both? – it’s a fun ride nonetheless and very easy to listen to with the guitars ringing out with reverb effects, the hypnotic backing vocals, and a beat that never meanders too far from the path and keeps you progressing through the song/story to its haunting end.

That haunting feeling continues into the beginning of ‘Northern Rose‘ as if it was a continuation of the one before. Frontman Matty showcases the breadth of his vocal talent as he tiptoes up and down the notes with ease as the band plays along. A music break comes about towards the halfway point letting the listener take in the calming breathy vocals accentuated by the reverb-laden guitar. The song is an ode to that someone who you’ve foolishly given your heart to in the past and all of the trouble that came from it. Yet another story we’re drawn into!

The penultimate track ‘The Moon‘ turns up that Mexican Western feel to 11 with the intro incorporating that well-known dramatic Mexican fast guitar strumming and vocal technique. The verse quickly comes about and Matty takes us through it with a dramatic and powerful performance. The lyrics tell a tale of woe again befitting its dramatic and brooding musical arrangement. The guitar takes on a more powerful style as we progress through to the end with a very sharp and out of the blue ending which ties in well with the style and drama.

The space theme continues into the last song ‘Same Star‘ – a punchy drum beat and Matty singing from the off with power and attitude with backing accompaniment makes for a great way to sign off this album. The song leads into a really catchy chorus with fun psychedelic rock style guitar riffage. This psychedelic Indian inspired track rather than being inspired by the 90s revival comes across as being inspired by the authentic movement in the late 60s with its less-serious and more jovial repeating backing vocals, the relentless changing of the direction it takes, the up-beat 60s rock style drums and vocals.

Overall, ‘Spring Tide‘, for me at least, is bountiful in giving the listener a bountiful amount of stories, emotions while putting you in the scenes created by the band through their evocative melodies, performance, and lyrics. What a ride! By the time the album ends you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time on a voyage of wonder, experiencing different cultures and drama along with the band. Take some time and listen for yourself. The whole album is best listened to from start to finish in a quiet room, with maybe some incense and a quart of rum as you get lost in the whole thing. Kudos to Matty and the band for putting together all of these songs, great on their own, to create something special and unique bound to entertain even the most closed-off listener.

By Mal Keenan

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