Cosmo Jarvis – Gay Pirates

Cosmo Jarvis – Gay Pirates

Well, where do we begin? Cosmo Jarvis has certainly gone for a politically charged edge with Gay Pirates, a poppy sea shanty-style tune, with a singalong chorus full of ragtag shouty types cheering along. Essentially a historically-set tale of unaccepted gay love on a pirate ship, the simple lyrics and strummy tunes certainly get the toe to tap, and the balkan-punk flavour will do the guy no harm in appealing to a wider audience – I reckon Comso could be pretty fun live, based on this track alone.

The lyrics are quite obviously the focus here, and the press release wastes no time in enforcing the message of challenging the boundaries of our acceptance of homosexuality. However, it seems the intent isn´t matched by the actual words: take away the gay element and this could be any one of a number of punished love scenarios told with simple language, set upon the high seas. It doesn´t even actually appear to be a pirate tale (it could be any ship of the high seas), despite the title. Worse, in this day and age, the implied punishment for the forbidden love doesn´t really ring true with todays social acceptance of homosexuality. The songs message really feels about 25 years too late.

However, overlooking the message, you still have a catchy, bouncy pop track that won´t set the world on fire, but certainly has it´s own charm. Billy Bragg it certainly ain´t, but it certainly beats yet another manufactured pop song. Let´s hope Cosmo can keep up the tunes and we could see something breakthrough in future, and I have high hopes for the upcoming album. It´s just a shame this won´t be it.