Hovercraft Pirates - Mixtape
Let me set the scene... it was 3:30, I'd just worked a long, boring day in the office and all I wanted to do was get home before the traffic piled up. I was tired, unmotivated and hating the fact it was only Thursday. As the same old song came on the cd player in the car, I decided I had 2 options: drive home in silence or try that free promo disc from the radio station... aren't these things usually crap? Bands with contacts in high places trying to make a quick buck? Who the hell are Hovercraft Pirates anyway!!?? I decided I had nothing to lose and whacked the cd in the player.
The first track started slowly.... as I drove down the road I resigned myself to the fact that this was going to be another mediocre dull band....
Then the madness kicked in
What the hell do you call this!? Punk? Experimental rock?? Who gives a damn, it's incredible!! Lead singer Paul Blue's shouting singing style (is there even a technical term for that??) inspires rebellion: hell, I was ready to take on the world by track 4!
Each track has its own merits but the following stood out for me:
Track 2 (Always Free): this song defies the laws of music - the rhythym is so bizarre I began to wonder if my cd player was jumping! Very clever, very catchy... loved it!
Track 3 (Bar fights and deserts): This was my favourite song - can't tell you why but it was upbeat, catchy, mischievous.... I can't think of an adjective that comes close to capturing the soul of this song!
Track 6 (Happy/Free): again, I can't explain why this particular track grabbed me but it stuck in my mind and I can't wait to play it again to remind myself why!
Track 11 (Rock): Only heard the first few bars of this as I pulled onto the driveway. If I hadn't had 2 hungry dogs waiting for me to feed them, I would've sat and waited to hear the rest of this - can't wait for tomorrow when I can hear the rest of it and the craziness that track 12 will no doubt bring!
All in all, an incredibly surprising album. The album cover gives nothing away, nor does the first minute or so of the first track (Rica).
I am one very pleasantly surprised cookie and would highly recommend this album to pop, punk, experimental and general rock fans... it's heavy but light, playful but serious... it's a kaleidoscope of sounds sending the listener into a new, crazy rock world. I loved every single second of it!
I was going to say that Hovercraft Pirates remind me of Billy Talent, a punk band I like very much... but Billy Talent ain't a patch on these guys!
Go forth and buy this amazing album!