Search - Waterboys :: Rock in the Weary Land

Best Waterboys album since "Fisherman's Blues"

Soseverian | Sellersville, PA USA | 11/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first I didn't get it. The feedback... the guitar with the long driven sustains blending with swirling organs and distorted vocals... then it started to come together, and when it finally did there was a dizzying whirl of color and light and dark. This new Waterboys album has some of Mike Scott's best songs ever .. including "Is She Conscious?", "It's All Gone" and "We Are Jonah". A couple of the songs reuse the same or similar chord progressions, and that can get a little long, but overall this is the New Waterboys in a New Direction with all their wit, wisdom and wild-eyed delirium intact."

A Rock In The Weary Land

Tim L. | Houston, Texas USA | 11/11/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been one of the Waterboy's most fiercely loyal fans since the mid 80's. With the exception of "Dream Harder", I've loved every album they've recorded. Unfortunately, The current album "A Rock In The Weary Land", is not one of their finer moments. The Waterboy's (Mike Scott) have apparently tried to update their sound this time around. Mike Scott produced this album and is apparently now into self mutilation. He uses vocal effects to distort his normally incredible voice into a ball of fuzz and static on several songs. The tragedy is that the material content of this album is pretty solid (except for the vocal distortion). There are some good songs here. The main strength of the Waterboy's has always been Mike Scott's magnificently passionate vocals. Why mess with perfection ? In the future, maybe Mike will let someone else produce his albums. Someone who has the good sense not to distort his vocals."

He's not back, He's still here

John S. Atherton | Portland, OR USA | 01/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another entry in Mike Scott's musical journey. He's never been gone, he's just changed. I don't view this as a return to anything, but another glorious incarnation of his vision.
Ignore the whining about distortion, just turn it up loud and enjoy the music that was made as Mike intended it to be. Think about what the lyrics are saying and you'll perhaps realize why it sounds that way.
The concerts supporting this cd have been filled with incredible energy. If you get the chance, go.
Also look for "Too Close to Heaven". It's part two of Fisherman's Blues and contains music from those sessions.
Watch for the remastered rerelease of The Waterboys and This is the Sea with new tracks coming in mid 2002."