The Sea Nymphs - The Sea Nymphs

During this very long break, I've been hunting around for new music, and this will be the first of a couple of reviews based around some of my new discoveries.

The Sea Nymphs are a side project of some members of Cardiacs - namely, Tim Smith, Sarah Smith and William D. Drake (keyboardist). The Sea Nymphs sound is probably best generalised as psychedelic - a more subdued version of the Cardiacs own material. Much more accessible, as well. You'd probably want to start with these guys before trying Cardiacs, actually.

Their self-titled album is actually their second album - their first being Mr and Mrs Smith and Mr Drake way back in 1984, when they didn't even have a name for themselves. After a long break, they released this album on CD in 1995 (beforehand, it had been available at concerts on cassette since '92). A rather long one as well, at that. It consists of 19 tracks, although quite a few are of a relatively small length. Anyway, without further ado, I shall have a look at each song. Don't expect massive write-ups for this one.

01. The Spirit Spout (2:20)
This starts off the album with a tribal drumbeat. Hm, yeah... after 45 seconds, we get an actual song - just Smith singing with some synths/piano. Then some instrumental stuff from Drake. Overall, pleasant, but not much else to say.
7.3/10

02. Shaping The River (2:07)
Similar in style to the previous song, and follows a similar structure. Damn, that instrumental in the middle is good, though - can feel Drake's classical training coming through there.
7.4/10

03. Nil In The Nest (1:53)
Starts off with Sarah and Bill interchanging vocals, and interchanging textures with them. Bill takes the harsh half, and Sarah the subdued half. Finishes with an intrumental of the main melody. Probably the first song that stuck out to me as being above average.
8.3/10

04. A Thousand Strokes And A Rolling Suck (2:18)
For some reason, the vocals on this track, by Tim Smith, remind me of Oasis. However, the instrumentation couldn't be more further removed from Oasis - an Indian vibe in the background for much of it. Certainly is a good example of their psychedelic side.
8.2/10

05. Christ Alive (3:24)
I find this song to be just a little boring. The melody isn't engaging, and the style is too much of a retread of the first two tracks of the album. A tad repetitive, too.
6.3/10

06. Mr. Drakes Big Heart (0:17)
Now, I LOVE these tiny instrumentals. I really wish that they could've gone on for way longer - Bill can write some really interesting stuff on the piano. I've been trying to get a hold of his solo albums, but it's incredibly difficult.
8.5/10

07. Lucky Lucy (2:23)
Some good sax on this track. I love the instrumental theme as well, that separates each section. That alone is enough to elevate this song above average.
7.8/10

08. Gods Box (1:54)
Sarah sings on this track. Very pleasant, although can't quite figure out what she's singing at times. Vocals mesh with the instruments that well.
7.6/10

09. Piano Interlude (0:44)
See Mr. Drake's Big Heart.
8.8/10

10. Up In Annie's Room (3:37)
I love the epic feel of this track - helped greatly by the synths. It certainly stands out from the others. I also love the chord progression throughout the whole thing - the way it meanders around gives it a real unsettling feeling.
8.9/10

11. Mr. Drake's Big Heart Reprise (0:17)
See Mr. Drake's Big Heart. Almost exactly the same, for that matter.
na/10

12. The Psalm Of Life (2:37)
The melodies throughout this one are brilliant, simply put. One of the highlights of the album, and also one of the more accessible songs. Very palatable, and also interesting enough to hold up on its own feet for its duration.
9.0/10

13. In The Corner Of Sin (2:38)
For some reason, the vocals of this song make me think of a nursery rhyme, with just the way they are delivered, along with the instrumentation. Don't get wrong, though, it's a good nursery rhyme... XD
A cool little instrumental closes the track.
8.4/10

14. Tree Tops High (2:36)
Hm, I dunno what to say about this song. Nothing special, really, but nothing bad, either. Just mediocre, I guess.
7.0/10

15. Dog Eat Spine (2:51)
Awesome piano on this track. Refreshing, and is another song that has a different feel from the rest of the majority of the tracks.
8.4/10

16. Sarah On A Worm (2:47)
A straight instrumental. Simple, but pleasant in its own way.
7.1/10

17. Lilly White's Party (5:14)
I love the trippy background of this song. Relatively minimalistic, but a damn good song.
8.7/10

18. Appealing To Venus (2:34)
Another nice melodic song - Smith is a bit less abrasive in his vocals in this one, probably from the use of falsetto. Above average.
8.3/10

19. Abade (4:19)
Wow, drums? Not sure if this is a drumkit or not, but it's nice to listen to something with a beat. Sarah's back for vocals again, to close the album. I would class this under accessible as well. The song appears to end around halfway, and the album finishes off with some random sound effects. Not necessary, but it doesn't hurt the rate, for me.
8.8/10

So, in my opinion, a very fine psychedelic-heavy album. Also rather refreshing to hear the imagination of Cardiacs produced in a slightly less insane manner.

Overall album score: 7.6/10