In my opinion 'Sea Shanties' is a good Rock album in Prog field. Not every minute of this album speak another language. Expression of the new Heavy Rock, 'Sea Shanties' is an album with a big soul. From the first song ('Futilist's Lament') is clear that 'Sea Shanties' is an innovative album. The particular sound of violin and guitar transform the High Tide music in a kind of Doom Metal, without being heavy as in the case of Black Sabbath, a song like 'Futilist's Lament'. Also the rest of the songs are good, also if too technical and complex. This fact is good but today is also a problem. In fact, the songs are not aged well as should have. This makes a difference if we consider the album for a correct value. I love music that transmits emotions (and in 'Sea Shanties' there are very manyemotions) but listen to songs not aged well is not the maximum, for me. This fact is important but not fundamental in 'Sea Shanties' because High Tide seem to have managed to transform what is a defect typical of the emerging Heavy Prog (and Heavy Rock) and able to turn it into the honor. In this sense I think that a song like 'Nowhere' is a clear example.

In definitive 'Sea Shanties' is a good album. Not a masterpiece. Today 'Sea Shanties' is saved from his sound, based on a twin electric violin and electric guitar. Because for the rest 'Sea Shanties' is a typical album of Heavy Rock in Prog field.

Said this the songs are... Well... The live version of 'Devil's Answer' is more metal than the original because with new arrengements and, for this motive, with new great power. 'Play It Again' is a good song. Nott perfect, with new Wave passages but 100% Rooster. I not love this song. But in general 'Play It Again' is more than good. 'Tomorrow Night' is present in a new version. But at the end, too similar to the original. 'Control you' is a good Heavy Metal song with fuzz guitar, organ and drums... A perfect NWOBHM song! 'Oh She, Oh She's My Woman' is a pure Rock. But great for power and writing. With few arrengements 'Oh She, Oh She's My Woman' is a pure adrenaline song. 'Who's looking For You' is a perfect Post Punk song with great organ from Crane and great power. Not a simple song 'Who's looking For You' is a perfect song for a Rock discoteque because have also a dance flavour! 'Lose Your mind' is a great song. In a word... Masterpiece. 'Lose Your Mind' is a pure downlowd of adrenaline. Great Crane and Du Cann in this 'Lose Your Mind', exceptional Rock with (also) a great drums. Because it is true... Atomic Rooster is one of the fathers of Heavy Metal and prog Metal! 'I Don't need You Anymore' is a pure Street/ Glam Metal song a la Motley Crue/ Twister Sister but not for this fact 'I Don't Need You Anymore' isn't Prog... Because have a great Romantic/ Symphonic/ Neoclassic Crane organ! 'He Did It Again' is a pure post Punk song but with another great organ parts and a pure Heavy Metal guitar solo! 'He Did It Again' is an unfortunately song because at y warning 'He Did It Again' could represent a new way to please the Prog to large masses in the early 80's! 'The Show'... A clear Punk song from a Du Cann Crane penned... A perfect contamination between pure Prog Rock (in Heavy Prog field), Heavy Prog, Punk, New Wave and Heavy Metal... in a sentence: 'The Show' is a pure motorhead song! 'Hold It Through The Night' is another Heavy Metal song but with Prog treatment. In fact the guitar is Heavy, the drums is Metal but the music is a strange Blues Rock that tranform this song in a Prog song. Another contaminated song, also if 'Hold It Through The Night' is a pure Rooster song. 'No Change By Me' close this album. Also 'No Change By Me' is Rock... In my opinion 'No Change By Me' is a pure and perfect Rock song. And, always in my opinion, 'No Change By Me' is also a perfect Rooster example of power and passion!

Is clear that this CD deserve a great attention. First because is an example of an unfortunately period for Crane and Rooster but characterized by an inspiration and a joy to produce music that I have not found in the production of the 70's. That the birth of Heavy Metal and NWOBHM are responsables of this new power for Crane and Du Cann... I do not able to know. But is tangible able to see that this power and joy that are fired in our minds so we are flooded by the joy of pure pleasure to listen and be part of this great party.

So 5 stars are the correct view for 'The Devil's Answer' album. Fans of Rooster and Heavy Prog... And also of Prog Metal... This CD is for You!