Sometimes, it’s nice to sit back and put something on that is a blast to listen to. There’s no really deep meaning behind it, but it’s fun and it takes you out of whatever stresses happen to be in your way. Rumahoy’s first release, The Triumph of Piracy, filled that void and they’ve come back for another pirate adventure in Time II: Party (appreciate the Wintersun reference) – one that’s even bigger and better.
“Cowboys of the Sea” wastes no time in getting to the good stuff. It’s straight-up fun from the get-go, complete with slightly goofy yet completely addictive call and response sections and a triumphant tempo that is just as hooky – it’s a combination that you’ll either love or hate. As the title implies, this is pure, unadulterated party music. One of the key components to this is Captain Yarrface. His vocals are instantly identifiable and commanding in tone. When you combine it with the jovial synthwork (see the merry “Treasure Gun”) and galloping tempos and melodies, it’s hard to deny the energy that the music supplies. The lyrics can be laugh out loud funny at times, with the centerpiece here being “Poop Deck Party,” which deploys raving synths and dancebeats while Yarrface barks about well, throwing poop in the air! Christopher Bowes of Alestorm comes in too for a spot on this one to give it a little extra touch. Speaking of Alestorm, fans will surely recognize the track “Stolen Treasure” as a complete mock-up of one of the band’s most famous hits, note-for-note with Rumahoy lyrics over the top of it. Hard not to laugh most of the way through if you follow the lyrics. It’s important to note, that even though there’s plenty of laughs to be had, the music is deadly serious. From the swinging sea melodies of “Full Mast” (yup, it’s about what you are thinking it is) to the driving melodies of “Harambe the Pirate Gorilla” and thrashing “The Beer from My Town is Better than Yours,” there’s a reason why it all comes together so well. The music is quite fun, and amplifies the feelings around the humorous lyrics.
As long as you aren’t an uptight, stick in the mud metal type, you are going to have an absolute blast with Time II: Party. Grab a drink (perhaps some rum) and play it loud – it’s sure to put a smile on your face while you shout along at the top of your lungs and dance slovenly around the room.