By Gavin Brown:
Solid. It’s the only word that comes to mind when I try to describe The Sea Wolf Mutiny’s First EP, The Last Season. It’s funny, the definition of “solid” is a near perfect description of the band’s eight song EP: “not hollow or containing gaps” and “strongly built or made of strong material.”
The title for the record gives the intent of the band, to create music that is a reflection on the past seasons of their lives.
Our desire is to see the world from the ground up,” says Lead Vocalist Bobby Hatfield. “We have our heads in the clouds a lot, and the record is our attempt to return to ground level.”
From the opening track, Fear and Trembling, the band journeys through frustration, revelation, failure, and ultimately a place of reflection and new direction.
When you know the history of the band (Drummer Phillip Kearse and Bassist Dave Ohlman had never played their instruments prior to joining the band) and the growth and maturity of each member, the musicality that is displayed is almost unbelievable. To top it off, this may be the best work by producer/engineer Kenny McWilliams I’ve heard to date.
Almost all the songs are in the same key, D to be exact. For the listener, you lose track of the song numbers or titles. Instead the record flows from track to track with the grace that Hatfield sings about, either in his chilling low register on the fifth track Over, Around, Under and Through, or his impressive use of falsetto notes on Watery Grave. Guitarist Danny Oakes mixture of swells and drive build around Hatfield’s piano that sometimes hints to a classical influence. To top this off, the bands tight rhythm section blends perfectly in the mix, never overpowering or flashy. And for a studio record, it sounds just like their live show.
To the listener, The Last Season is a record saying, “This is where we’ve come from, and now we move forward.”
“We achieved more than we hoped for,” says Hatfield. “I guess we can be proud of that.”
 The Sea Wolf Mutiny releases their EP, The Last Season, Friday August 12 at New Brookland Tavern along with Foley and The Rejectioneers.
YO. Dis album is the bomb diggidy. Palabra.