Sea of No Cares

Great Big Sea

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 26, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B000060OI8
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,354 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Great Big Sea's canny blend of Celtic melodies, acoustic-guitar-driven rhythms, and thrilling vocal harmonies have made them bestselling artists in their native Canada. On Sea of No Cares, they tweak their signature acoustic sound by adding drums, electric guitar, Hammond organ, and even trumpet. But they never stray far from their roots, and even when they crank up the volume on the raucous folk song "The Scolding Wife," the droning electric guitar sounds more like an extra-loud set of bagpipes than a rocker's sonic weapon. Each member of the band contributes to the songwriting, and their output tends to be upbeat in both mood and rhythm, as on the joyous odes to love and friendship "Stumbling In" and "One True Way." As the title song "Sea of No Cares" implies, the music of Great Big Sea is generally positive and sunny. But the inclusion of the old Celtic seafaring ballads act as a reminder that although the sun is shining today, a storm is never far away. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Big Sea of No Cares, February 21, 2003

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!"

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sailing Away on the Great Big Sea, December 9, 2002

By	Kelly Langston-Smith (Atomic City, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice mix of originals and traditionals, March 17, 2003

By	A. Gammill (West Point, MS United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.