Note: I am presently the bassist of Rusty Shipp whom I joined in 2022, so I won’t claim to be unbiased. That said, to this point I’ve had no involvement in the writing and virtually no part in recording of any material. As such, I hope to still have a sufficient perspective on the band’s work.
The alternative rock band Rusty Shipp has flown under the radar—or rather has been navigating under the sea—for just over a decade now. The band really seems to have come into its own on their newest album, Capsized Empire. I want to review the new album, but before I do, a retrospective of past voyages is in order.
In 2014, the band released their first EP, Hold Fast to Hope. The demo quality recording definitely has a grunge feel and demonstrates Russ’s influences in that genre. Other than the helm (ship’s wheel) on the cover and the first introduction of the song Davy Jones, the Shipp seemed mostly just an alternative rock / grunge band at that time.
2017 brought the release of the band’s debut full length, Mortal Ghost, the first done with award winning producer-engineer Stephen Leiweke. There’s a stark contrast in the quality of the recording, with this album sounding completely professional. The album still retains a significantly grunge sound. Yet several songs including Crack Baby, Hotel Bible, and The Lighthouse demonstrates Russ’s songwriting versatility. The cover again leans into the nautical theme as do half of the songs: Treading Water, Devil Jonah, SS Naronic, The Lighthouse, and the return of Davy Jones as well as the interludes Sea Sentinels and Song of Storms. Yet the remainder of the album are really just alt rock songs without specific nautical uniqueness in theme. Rusty does consider this a concept album. There isn’t an overarching story, but the lyrics mostly center on the struggle between choosing good verses the path which leads, metaphorically, to the bottom of the ocean.
The follow up was effectively a glorified EP as it contains just four original full length songs. Yet the “EP”, Liquid Exorcist, is glorious in that in addition to these, there is one cover (Show Me How to Live) and five interludes. To my ear, this album marks a subtle shift from predominantly grunge to alternative rock. Perhaps this wasn’t intentional as Russ has oft stated his wish that the recordings had a bit more edge. The Shipp further leans into the nautical theme with ever track having some tie in.
Liquid Exorcist was the first album with a fully formed story (found printed in the CD cover or poster). The concept is that there was a Mine Factory which produced these Liquid Pendulums. A Minesweeper was sent out but got caught up in a chain reaction of explosions (Detonator). A Hundred Crosses were placed on the ocean as floating memorials to those who had perished due to the mines.
During the pandemic in 2020, the band entered the studio for what would end up be a grueling recording on their ambitious second full-length album. Dark Side of the Ocean is a full concept album, designed from the beginning for vinyl. The story follows a sailor who perishes at seas. Side A follows him as he sinks to the “Bottom of the Barrel” (ocean). Here he is greeted by sea angels in the Angel Aquarium. Some of these angels, curious as to why so many men’s souls are descending into the deep, decide to travel “Up the Waterspout” and by the end of side B, have reached “The Other Side”.
The record showcases the band’s polished alternative rock sound, but also introduces new sonic experiments in Tanninim and Angel Aquarium with ska influence in the upbeat strumming pattern. King of the Deep, The Other Side, the sea shanty Fish in the Sea, and the beautiful cover of Pink Floyd’s Us and Them all show the band’s diversity beyond mere grunge rock.
This finally brings us to the new album, Capsized Empire. Rusty actually began to develop the concept for this album first, but decided it needed a prequel which became Cosmic Innuendo Volume I: Dark Side of the Ocean. Capsized Empire is volume II. It takes DSOTO and turns it up to 11. It’s worth noting that the band recorded all the albums since Mortal Ghost with Leiweke in his studio and had the same artist for the album covers which has led to significant continuity between albums. (continued below)
Capsized Empire is also a concept album which continues the story of DSOTO. The sea angels engage in Espionage, finding pirates On the Docks. They are horrified at the evil they witness. A significant portion of the album looks at this Upside Down Kingdom. But it concludes with the highlight of Sinners in the Hands.
By now, Rusty has fully embraced the nautical theme. If there was any question as to if Rusty Shipp were just another alt rock band, Capsized Empire will put this notion to rest at the bottom of the ocean. This album is much more than just a collection of songs. Certain songs in particular such as Spanish Ladies and Tough Guys, if heard on their own, would seem crazy and nonsensical. But within the context of this album and the story line, they fit perfectly. It’s a true work of art in a whole package. I don’t know how far the Cosmic Innuendo story will go. But I can’t think of a story so fully developed over multiple albums since Daniel Amos’ Alarma Chronicles. Perhaps one day the Shipp will become as legendary as the tales they sing of.
