Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell - Isobelle
Rise Above
Stoner Rock
2 songs (8'40")
Release year: 2016
Rise Above
Reviewed by Alex

I would not be truthful if I don't admit that the main attraction in checking out Isobelle single by the British Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell is the extravagant nature of the band’s moniker. Named after a British naval officer whose mother lived next to a bar band members used to frequent, such name promises that the whole affair is going to be left of center. And while the single does uphold the band's reputation in the underground raw stoner rock scene, the atmosphere is just over the top here, the single’s songs themselves left me wanting more.

Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell relies primarily on their tubed basement-encamped noise to deliver their fuzzy intoxicated fever. No question fitting in terms of sound, the songs however drag on and don't develop. The verse of Break Up may have some bounce to it, but the chorus slog just swallows it whole. Concerned by the proper amount of blur to be present, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell goes way overboard in that department and loses a lot of the intricacy of their guitar work in that fog, leaving a bunch of frequencies unpopulated. Drums are too muddy as well and, if anything, Isobelle could use more cowbell/cymbal for brighter sound.

An effort that their dedicated fans might enjoy, the single did little for me to start frantically searching for more Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell. From the three recent Rise Above singles of Beastmaker, Taarkus and Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, I would rank them in the order listed above with Beastmaker being quite ahead of their label compatriots.

Killing Songs :
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