In a world that seems to be constantly searching for the next big, shiny and exciting thing, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell is sticking proudly with balls-out rock'n'roll. Formed in 2008, this scabby-knuckled, booze-sodden trio have never been remotely inclined to follow trends or conform to the cool kids' idea of what rock n' roll should be.Seven years on from their last album, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovellare once again emerging from the smoke-filled shadows with a fresh selection of unreconstructed, dirt rock anthems. The recorded debut of new drummer Glen Stebbings, this new album is a rip-roaring return to action that hammers home this band's ageless charm, with nine new songs carved straight from the freak rock coalface. 

There is certainly some weird and wonderful song titles on this album.The album opens with a track called "Laughing Gravy" which has a slow pace,driven by the bold guitar riffs,at times the tempo does pick up briefly particularly near the end,vocally it sounds spacey and echoey,a modest classic rock style track,"A Better Day" with raw production is a bit too slow and trippy for my liking,average generic riffing and guitar runs,a bit of a dull number with no bounce or punch."Sideways Barnacle" is another classic rock offering with tight rhythm,the bass touches are a good touch and there is more energy about this track than the previous."Head In A Noose" is one of the albums more better tracks,the vocals are better more suited to this bluesy classic rock number,with some nice guitar work."Kind Boy" is more of what i wanted to hear its a more up tempo track with pace,attitude, maybe a touch of a sleazy side to the melody,its more punchy,it flows and for me the best track on this album.Starting with a deep bass lead in "Slayed In Full" has some catchy rhythm section moments,the tempo picks up just over halfway through with the guitars dominant in the mix."First City Seconds" has solid riffs with a slow melody which as a track at 3mins 41 seconds really does drag I'm sorry to say.The last track "Another Greasy Spoon" is a stronger track which ends the album well,but vocally in the mix it sounds really low in the mix.

"The Trouble With The Shovell" is an album where I found a few glimmers of something promising,but on the whole this is an album which lacks enough punch,conviction and stamina for me.This album is like marmite you will like it or won't like it,for me unfortunately its the latter.I have definitely heard a lot better albums which pay homage to classic rock which are much better than this one.