Over the last few years, Ireland has produced a large number of atmospheric, mostly-instrumental bands. Halves, The Jimmy Cake and Halfset are just some among the number and, to be fair, they have set the bar high. Drunken Boat seem to be aiming to join their ranks with their debut effort. Unfortunately, ‘Cut the Engines, Raise the Sails’ isn’t up to the same quality.
Given the name of the band (a reference to an Arthur Rimbaud poem) and the album, one would suppose that the album is rather reverential and laid back. And so it proves. Opening duo of songs ‘Sandy’ and ‘Green Tea’ are quiet and atmospheric but are followed up by a further two ‘Horses’ and ‘Bearings’ that do not venture in any way from that formula.
Not before time, ‘Burroughs’ does supply something different. It’s a downbeat ballad with a country tinge. It could even evoke ideas of Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan were the vocals more distinctive. ‘City of Glass’ is more similar to the first four tracks but sounds fresher. Perhaps it is the break from them that makes it so.
The highlight of the album is ‘Is There Something at the Centre?’, specifically the first three minutes. A claustrophobic ambience is complemented superbly by barely sung lyrics to create a truly intimate piece. It is slightly let down, however, by the more expansive closing, which falls a bit flat. Last up comes ‘Quicksilver’, which, despite its title, is again slow and contemplative. It is perhaps the best of its kind on the album though.
Overall the album, spanning only 26 minutes, is lacking in enough contrast to really make an impact. Where there should be light and shade, only one is ever-present. There are one or two moments of genuine difference, the tone and the sound remain largely the same and that’s not good enough to compete with its competitors in the genre. However if they can build on the strong points of this release, we could have another top act in our midst.