SEA SHANTIES

This album was the debut of High Tide, an influential and interesting, underground progressive rock/heavy metal band. The band consisted of Tony Hill (guitar and vocals), Simon House (violin), Peter Pavli (bass), and Roger Hadden (drums). Little is known about the band since they were obscure and unknown. On eBay, the original first pressing vinyl of Sea Shanties is $150, which shows how obscure they were. While they weren't very successful, they were certainly influential and ahead of their time.

With song titles like, "Futilist Lament", "Pushed and Not Forgotten", and "Death Warmed Up", this album sounds and looks like a heavy metal album. With dark lyrics like, "Kill your dreams of darkness now." and heavily distorted guitar and screaming violin, this album is trippy, and heavy.

One of the first albums to employ the use of an electric violin in a rock/metal album. Simon House is an amazing violinist and one of the best parts of the album is the back and forth between the violin and guitar. The heavily distorted and loud screeching guitar almost seems to be "dueling" with the high, screaming, violin. While there are certainly heavy metal elements found in the album there are also progressive rock elements. There are many time signature changes, experimentation, extended soloing/jamming, unique lyrical content, and long songs (with only one song under 5 minutes). Tony Hill's vocal delivery was described by Allmusic reviewer, Wilson Neate, as "doomy Jim Morrison-like". As a guitarist, I am impressed with Hill's playing. His effect filled tone, his classical influence, his long, fast solos, and his rhythm is a key part of the album. The all around musicianship on this album is incredible.

I would rate this album 4 out of 5 stars. The song structure is unique, the extended jams are incredible, the dueling between the violin and violin give a unique sound. While it is challenging to little hard to listen to it at first, after some time the album will hopefully grow on you.