RETURN TO MINGULAY

If anyone would have told me before that I would love a sea shanty inspired folk prog album, I probably would have told them that they must have been smoking their socks. With that said, this album has indeed emotionally grabbed me.

Oceans 5 Return to Mingulay The Mingulay Boat Song - a famous Scottish a sea shanty which is almost 100 years old, this band managed to dismantle the whole song and turned into an epic prog folk song, beautiful and touching. If I best could describe it in short, I would say as Amazing Grace turned Prog with crescendos reminiscent of Floyd Welcome to the Machine however in a more romantic weird kind of version. I personally love the lead and response between the vocals and guitar, the guitars emphasise the vocals even more. This song lifts you up and carries you away. The guitars even sound like bagpipes at the beginning (right at the start) of the song.

Whitby Smugglers Song I hear Popeye tune here hahaha this is such a likable track, I cannot stop bouncing, I would call this a trigger happy track, drums going tum te ti tum tack almost constantly while guitar whistles away and the vocalists singing along while my head keeps bouncing from side to side, highlights here are the guitar and drum solos and bass guitar every now and then having his say. Again the Vocals and Guitar play lead and respond while the drums make you bounce happily.

Empty Hands Ah this is more a upbeat rock track, so many guitar layers inc. whistling like sounds, with the distinctive feel as above vocals and guitar do play lead and response however here the guitar in contrast to the rest plays quite sensitive tunes added with rhythmic spot on farting notes. An upbeat song with clever guitar tapping, whistling and levels that seem to lift you up and continuing to lift you a little further up and even more up.

Invictus Captain of My Soul This is such great rhythmic song. This reminds me very much of Johnny Clegg and also of Paul Simon with Graceland album. I really enjoy the constant drum clicking/galloping sound and again the guitar stands out here.

Sails of the Bay Ah the acoustic guitar is brought out here added to the electric guitar, it feels a cross between Bon Jovi ' Blaze of Glory with added naughty Al DiMeola guitar tapping. And it builds up into a most stunning crescendo that keeps going up a level and another plus yet another one. Dancing with the Rhythm of the Shores Hahaha this is a happy track! The start somehow reminded me of Come on Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners,

6000friends 6000 Friends starts with great guitars whistling and when vocals start both vocals and guitar play lead and response, I love the pauses here. I tend to focus more on instrumentals than lyrics, however this song is quite simplified and I personally can relate to the lyrics about having so many friends on social network yet at home feeling alone. Lorelei McBroom vocals (from Pink Floyd and Great Gig in the Sky performance) seals this song.

Fly away This is one of my ultimate favourite songs of the album. I will not go into more details as I too have had enough of my briefing and opinion. Stunning, great build up (crescendo) I would describe it with having the most sensitive touches and great build ups.. Anyway, I sincerely think this album as diverse it may seem, it certainly is deserving of 5 stars, I cannot fault this, I have enjoyed replaying it constantly yet nothing makes me feel bored nor annoyed, quite the contrary, I listen to every single note on this album and each time love it more, giving me the most wonderful feeling listening to this bouncy, dreamy bedlam prog while some none prog yet this mix is the best of all, makes me feel so happy, really warm happy bubbly feeling from within. This album also seems to be a big favourite among my party guests, prog and none prog friends.

Many thanks and friendly regards, Kati