Customer Reviews

Sea of No Cares

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great Big Sea is one of the top sources of Celtrock out there, and certainly one that is vastly underestimated. These guys use instruments and songs old and new to mingle traditional Celtic songs and modern rock music, and the results are warm, rousing and very danceable. Not perfect, not quite like what they've done before, but still head and shoulders over most efforts.

Among the rock songs are the guitar-and-drums-dominated "Sea of No Cares" ("you threw your fears/ in the sea of no cares"); poppish and fast-paced "Penelope" which is quite similar to their earlier song "Seagulls," although a bit more personal and precise; the fast-paced (faster and faster?) "Stumbling In," and more. The ballads include the more poignant "Clearest Indication," ("what am I supposed to do/give me the clearest indication/I'm not alone with you"); the traditional "Scolding Wife" which harkens back to earlier works with all the guys singing, the bodhran and the accordion; the poignantly-written "Widow in the Window, the toe-tapping, traditional-sounding "French Perfume," and others.

There's more of an electronic edge to this album rather than simply the instruments being used for rock music. Whether you like this will probably depend on your tastes, and what you like best about Great Big Sea's music. The usual instruments -- bodhran, drums, accordion, mandola -- are still quite present, and the songs are pure Great Big Sea.

This album is a bit of a step out of what they've done before, but "Sea of No Cares" remains a fantastic bit of Celtrock, with memorable songs and fantastic singing. A wonderful bit of music, a mix of the traditional and the modern. Swim in the "Sea!"

Great Big Sea's newest album is a powerful accomplishment. The album mixes more traditional Newfoundland/Celtic music such as the tracks "A Boat Like Gideon Brown" and "Yarmouth Town" with more modern, but still folk-influenced, tracks like "Sea of No Cares" and "Own True Way." This continues the trend we've seen on _Rant_and_Roar_ and _Turn_, blending the old with the new for a unique sound. The sound is addictive; like the previous GBS albums, I just can't stop listening to _Sea_of_No_Cares_.

While the album is fantastic, someone new to the group may want to start with _Turn_, which is a slightly stronger album overall.

Finally--a new set by the greatest band on earth. It is fun...it is vibrant...but it isn't quite Great Big Sea.
You can't fault the boys for putting a few tracks on this CD that scream for radio play, but it disturbed me how slickly produced and how much of the raw energy and power were edited out of these songs. "Sea of No Cares" and "Clearest Indication" are certainly catchy tunes, but they almost sound like a page from the Corrs music library. "Penelope" is a simple (and maybe too blatant) re-working of the theme from "Seagulls." The less said about "Widow in the Window" the better. Most of the traditional arrangements on the CD are very good with "Scolding Wife" probably coming out on top. I am disappointed that "Own True Way" is the only original score that seemed to have much of GBS apparent. I was hoping for another "Ordinary Day" or "Consequence Free." I missed the really hard and fast tune like "Mari-Mac" or "The Night Pat Murphy Died" as I was hoping to sing at the top of my lungs and work up a sweat getting jiggy with it. I also missed the acoustic harmony song (which has always been one of the best on their previous releases), and didn't think the CD should have wrapped up with the instrumental piece. I was taken aback when the songs just ended abruptly with no big finish like "Jolly Roving Tar" or "Bad As I Am." This CD seemed VERY short.
Don't get me wrong, I love these guys more than any other band past or present, and this is a good set, but it isn't the best. I would suggest picking up "Play" or "Road Rage" to supplement the tunes found here. I'll enjoy this piece for what it is and wait with bated breath for the next offering.

SEA OF NO CARES continues in the same vein as Great Big Sea's previous studio album, TURN. Which is to say, a bit more original material and less of the traditional sea shanties and drinkin' songs. The shift toward more pop music may put off longtime fans, but the band is well-suited to this kind of progression.

"Clearest Indication" is a standout ballad, and reminded me of the heartbreaking tune "How Did We Get From Saying I Love You" from the band's PLAY album. "Sea of No Cares," "A Boat Like Gideon Brown," and "Own True Way" rank among the best songs in their impressive catalog. And anyone who's ever been married (as in the past tense) will find it impossible not to laugh (and soon sing along) with "Scolding Wife."

Of the twelve tunes here, only one, "Widow in the Window," didn't do much for me. Otherwise, a solid album from a talented bunch of guys who just keep getting better with time.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: UP (their best) and the live album ROAD RAGE.

I bought this CD because I've heard Carbon Leaf play live and I knew Carbon Leaf was on tour opening for GBS. I just love this CD! Every song is on the album is good, and the balance of originals and traditional music from Newfoundland is perfect. My favorite of their original tracks is "Stumbling In"--the harmony is wonderful. Of the traditional stuff, "A Boat Like Gideon Brown" absolutely rocks--I can't get it out of my head, and if you listen to the words, it's a very sweet sentiment about family and passing on dreams between generations. In Atlantic Canada, musicians used to (and still do) get together to play this type of fun, upbeat music in their houses. When I was a kid, I spent a few summer vacations on Price Edward Island with my family and attended one of these "kitchen parties..." I didn't realize then how neat it was! Definitely buy this CD and hear some great songs that you'll miss on the radio.

As many people have said, this CD has more of a mainstream appeal to it than other GBS discs. Particularly Clearest Indication, Stumblin' In, and Sea of No Cares. And, while they may be more pop than Celtic, they're excellent songs. Older fans of the band seem to have a problem with this new direction, but there are still plenty of traditional songs. Scolding Wife is absolutely fantastic, as is Gideon Brown. And then there's French Perfume, which sounds traditional but isn't. Widow in the Window is a beautiful song. About the only song on the disc I can take or leave is Barque in the Harbor. Not that it's a bad song, per se, but I have to be in a particular mood to listen to it.

For someone like myself, making my first foray into GBS and Celtic music, this was an excellent introduction. I do wish, however, that there was more of the bodhran and less of the drums because I simply adore the bodhran. For an older fan of the band, it's still GBS, and it's still better than most of the mainstream stuff out there. Regardless of how "mainstream friendly" it may sound.

Personally, _up_ (sadly, an import for those of us in the US) is a much better record, but this one is awesome too. And I think that says a lot for it. I highly recommend it.

I can honestly say I like every song on this album. That said, now I can also say that it is not their best album. Seems they are experimenting a tad and I can't wait till they decide on whatever. They are the best live group you could ever see and I have heard about half of the songs in concert. The drums are more prominent in this album and a tad overdone I think, but the songs are wonderful, the musicianship is great and the best song on the album is one I thought was a traditional song, but turns out to be written by multi-instrumenatlist, Bob Hallett! Own True Way, Scolding Wife, A Boat Like Gideon Brown are reasons enough to buy this CD. I have already played it a million times. Go buy it. Listen and then listen again. It all gels.

Okay, so the name of the cd sounds kinda lame, but get past it! The music is awesome, huge variety of sounds, from some rock kinda songs, to the sorrowful and beautiful "Widow in the Window", which is truly touching. "Scolding Wife" is great, especially since i've played it over and over. "French Perfume" is an interesting song, i love it. There are so many other worthy mentions, but i hate long reviews and i'm sure you do too. To cut it short, phenominal album worthy of beautiful reviews. Great band and excellent variety of awesome songs, truly powerful music at times. I just dont really like "Penelope", but thats just me. The foot-stompin "fortune" is excellent. Great CD. BUY IT! or you'll regret you didn't. :)

Amazon.com suggested this CD to me while I was browsing for Chieftans CDs. I clicked on a few of the song snippets and decided to give it a try, along with their Road Rage. I love it! Why don't I hear these guys on the radio. This is real talent! Why must we be subjected to people like Brittney and Eninem when there are real musicians and singers out there. I'll warn you though, if you like to wallow in depression this isn't the music for you. It soars! Makes you want to dance, jump and sing along! This is the best gamble I ever took.

Hard to believe it though I am not suprised...these guys continue to out do themselves. Every track on this CD is great. Great variety here of upbeat pub songs, nautical & ballads.
The traditional celtic sounds in Scolding Wife and then a modern saga of a soul who has left island life and found something worse in Penelope. The lady Liz gives a lovely vocal addition to Bargue in the Harbour. For those of you who have never heard GBS, this is a great album of celtic,nautical, folk and rock mix. A truely unique sound. You won't be disappointed... If you liked Rant and Roar, Turn, Up, Road Rage....You will definitely like this new collection of songs from this dynamic band from Newfoundland.