The Sunset Shipwrecks – Community

The Sunset Shipwrecks are a new project from two members of American Steel, Ryan Massey and Scott Healy, who are joined by Brian Miu and Sean Reilly to complete the quartet. It has been superbly produced by Kevin Army and was recorded at Ryan Massey‘s Sharkbite Studio. If you’re expecting an extension of American Steel then you’re in for a shock, this is rock ‘n roll, and what a damn fine slice of rock n roll it is.

The opening track Leave Me In The Grove recalls the spirit of The Animals with a haunting bluesy number, it is immediately clear that this is quite a musical departure, the title track only goes onto confirm this, the track Community is a piece of foot tapping boogie woogie influenced political rock. Community switches between roots Americana influences throughout the ten tracks and once you’ve gotten over the shock you quickly warm to it’s charms. The Tide Will Rise is the closest thing to an American Steel number on Community, but only if you can imagine they forgot to take most of their effects pedals into the studio. The closing track No Justice is the most political track on here, it’s a raised fist of defiance against the current state of the political landscape and it’s inherent corruption.

This is an album that is going back to the roots of American Music, the album is a blend of blues, rock ‘n roll and there’s even a touch of country thrown into the mix. Whilst this is a change of direction musically, the lyrical content remains as hard hitting as ever. This is a surprising and rather wonderful side project, rather than recreating the sounds of the band half of The Sunset Shipwrecks are better known for, they have made something that keeps the spirit and attitude of their punk roots, but branches out musically, and that is something to be applauded.

You can download Community from the usual sources or you can order the vinyl directly from Lugosi records here