High Tide ● Sea Shanties

It took a while, but The “I-Own-Every-Record-You’d-Never-Buy” CD Consumer’s Guide finally stumbled upon the word that best describes High Tide’s Sea Shanties: Cacophony (frequent use of discords of a harshness and relationship difficult to understand; having a harsh, unpleasant sound; discordant). I wouldn’t necessarily describe Sea Shanties as “unpleasant,” although “harsh” and “discordant” are more than apt descriptions of this British-based quartet’s brand of progressive-influenced hard rock. High Tide’s debut, first released in 1969 on Liberty Records, mixes to startling effect a unique arrangement of punishing guitar fills, frenetic electric violin leads and a pounding, relentless rhythm section. “Futilist’s Lament” and “Death Warmed Up” feature the group at its most aggressive, Tony Hill’s guitar and Simon House’s violin together creating a sort of rock and roll pandemonium. “Pushed, But Not Forgotten” and “Walking Down Their Outlook,” two songs rooted in various time changes and tempo shifts, reveal a group exploring its more progressive roots. Not surprisingly, the group’s aural assault was a hard sell. The band released a self-titled follow-up—another highly cacophonous affair—before High Tide dissolved, House eventually signing on for a stint with Hawkwind.

Notes: Here is an audio-only YouTube clip of “Death Warmed Up” by High Tide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY7MZHoGxHY.