Shipping News have been about for some 14 years now. Didn’t actually know that but when you hear their album “One Less Heartless To Fear”, you can tell that it couldn’t be the work of beginners. For a start, it’s a big sounding set of songs and, as if to prove the strength of their musical commitment, it was even recorded live in front of an audience.
In these days of post rock synthesis, it is refreshing to hear a band that kicks the proverbial ass. “This Is Not An Exit” spins up to an almost primal energy level as Kyle Crabtree’s drum kit takes a proper beating whilst holding the ranting vocals and discordant guitars right in their place. Without doubt, Shipping News aren’t afraid to explore their darker side either with “(Morays Or)Demons echoing Scandinavian bands like Amorphis and, whilst not afraid to experiment, Shipping News nevertheless show considerable self discipline in keeping their songs focussed thus avoiding the slippery slope into prog-rock self indulgence.
“One Less Heartless To Fear” is a muscle bound album that has no problem throwing its weight about when it wants to and I can see the reputation of Shipping News being further enhanced by its release. As you might expect, this is an album best played loud.