The ship is hit with a second storm, with the waves growing so large that they appear to everyone on deck to be kicking the bottom of the clouds. The captain tries to scream orders but it quickly gets drowned out by the crashing waves and the pounding rain. The crew scrambles beneath deck to secure various items in the storeroom, while the captain takes the wheel to try and get his ship out of harms way. A questionable maneuver by the captain leads the ship t be twisted around by the waves, which causes havoc below deck as a food barrel then breaks free in the store room, crushing an unsuspecting sailor to death before he could move out of the way. The first mate is furious at the captain and demands a proper burial for the deceased. The captain refuses, deliberately scolding the first mate in front of the crew.

Kicking Clouds (Pt. 2)

The full track (The Calm Before + Kicking Clouds).

Imagine being on a ship and seeing a beautiful sunny day turn into literal shitstorm. The title comes from the idea that the waves would be rising so high that to the people on the ship, it would look like they were kicking the clouds. It's also a reference to my favorite artist and one of my inspirations for making music: Ben "Cloudkicker' Sharp.

Kicking Clouds (Full Suite)

The crew limps on, licking their wounds from the previous two storms. Despite this, the captain continues to press the crew, pushing them to their limits. They observe a beautiful night's sky as they cross into the western hemisphere.

Prime Meridian

The part of sailing that they don't tell you about. The winds begin to die down and the sailors begin to experience cabin fever. Idle hands makes the devil's work...

Doldrums

The crew finally reaches their breaking point after weeks of bad weather, no winds, and an abusive captain. A fight breaks out on deck between several of the sailors, with the officers on board unable to maintain order. In a fit of rage, the captain orders several of the men to be held in the brigs, in iron chains, until they can be taken back home for court martial. He tells his officers to only let them out for work duties only and to limit their rations and water, effectively working them to death as a result of their infractions. He also orders several others to face the lash, making the remaining crew watch as he has them savagely beaten with a cat o' nine tails before dousing the open wounds with salt water. He then orders the crew back to work, indifferent to their newfound disgust and distrust of him and his leadership.

In Irons

The captain comes aboard to much fanfare and delight. The crew begins their departure from port, foolishly optimistic about their voyage ahead.

Captain Coming Aboard (PT. 1)

The full track. 

The crew sets sail at the start of their mission, unaware that their captain is a sadistic madman who has no qualms about rushing headfirst into a storm.

Setting Sail (Full Suite)

The crew leaves port, firing off a few rounds in celebration. The routine of ship life begins to take over, with the daytime bustling with activity and the nighttime being more relaxed, but still busy. Shortly after leaving port, the ship is hit by the first of two storms, enduring rough seas and piercing rain as they push to get out into the open ocean. They survive the first round, a bit banged up but with high spirits. For now, at least.

Setting Sail (PT. 2)

The crew begins to get sloppy, with one midshipmen getting a bit too carried away with the grog one evening while on duty. The captain orders him to spend the night in the crows nest as punishment, forced to endure the bitter cold winds. He turns around to look at the north star, drunkenly recalling his teenage years before drifting off to sleep.

I wrote this song when I was 15 and originally called it "Stargazer". Did some revisions and additions and now it's "Polaris".

Polaris

It's an all out mutiny on the ship, with the crew and the officers divided. The first mate begins leading the mutineers towards the captain's quarters, and as the captain retreats to the solace of his cabin, he begins to reflect on the journey to try and figure out how he had let things get this bad. As his mind is racing, the door breaks open and the crew rushes in. Meanwhile on the other side of the ship, a few of the officers and loyal sailors begin their final stand against the mutineers, in an all out fight to the death that spills down to the lower decks. Finally, the mutineers emerge victorious, making the captain and the remaining officers/sailors embark in one of the lifeboats, leaving them to their fate. The crew, now under the leadership of the first mate, takes control of the helm and sails off to parts unknown...

Mutiny (pt. 2)

The title track and full suite (Below Deck and Mutiny). 


It's an all out mutiny on the ship, with the crew and the officers divided. The first mate begins leading the mutineers towards the captain's quarters, and as the captain retreats to the solace of his cabin, he begins to reflect on the journey to try and figure out how he had let things get this bad. As his mind is racing, the door breaks open and the crew rushes in. Meanwhile on the other side of the ship, a few of the officers and loyal sailors begin their final stand against the mutineers, in an all out fight to the death that spills down to the lower decks. Finally, the mutineers emerge victorious, making the captain and the remaining officers/sailors embark in one of the lifeboats, leaving them to their fate. The crew, now under the leadership of the first mate, takes control of the helm and sails off to parts unknown...

Mutiny (Full Suite)

Profile for both Curtins and Babe Vigoda.

Curtjr25@gmail.com for any questions.

New tracks tagged #nautical nonsense