The Waterboys Album: “Rock in the Weary Land”

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.

Whether via solo efforts or under the band name Waterboys, Mike Scott consistently writes and records some of the finest compositions to be released in the last two decades. In a time where brilliant composers are a dying breed (or just plain burning out), Scott's flame still burns with intensity. Where each recording is different than the last (this disc is no exception) Scott's consistent strand from disc to disc is his inate melodic sense and his intelligent and creative lyrical ability. The thinking man's rock musician with a keen spiritual bent. More electric and energetic than his two solid solo efforts. Not a weak cut in the bunch. Put on your dancing shoes, your thinking cap and have a good time. Highly recommended...Simon

From the time I was first turned onto the Waterboys in 1989 I've lived in anticipation of every Waterboys and Mike Scott release since. I've never been disappointed, and "Rock in the Weary Land" is the same. Perhaps even more than the great song writing and musicianship what keeps me in such a heightened state of anticipation is Mike Scott's willingness to experiment with his music. "Rock in the Weary Land" is no different. The music explodes and washes over the listener as powerfully as it does on "This is the Sea". This is an album that is as accessible to the casual Waterboys listeners I've turned on to it as other hardcore fans I know. Looking forward to the show.

I've read the negative comments regarding this cd and it seems to me that most of the reviewers like Mike Scott/The Waterboys but dislike this album because it went in an unexpected direction. Just as Dylan disappointed some of his core audience by "going electric," "going country," and "going gospel," Mr. Scott seems quite willing to follow his Muse without allowing audience expectations to box him in. To be truthful, when I first bought this cd I listened to it once and abandoned it for over a year. Now, it's one of my favorites. I think a person's response to this music is more a reflection of the listener than the quality of the music-and I don't mean that in a negative sense. This is certainly the darkest Waterboys release to date (as of July 2005), and understandably not to everyone's taste. Kudos to Mr. Scott for following his Muse wherever she leads!

I love this album. I bought it about 2 months ago played it non-stop so much I quit, and now I'm playing it again. For those who are looking for the same as the early 80's it's time for a little change in your life. Open the cd cover and there is a story in the booklet. The cd is a soundtrack for the story, yet after listening to the tracks so many times.. they are about real situations. With this cd I found myself pulling out other "stories" such as Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt. Peppers, Around the World in a Day(Prince), Pink Floyd, ELO, Daniel Amos(Alarma Chronicles), Etc. Maybe one song misses the mark a tad, and I miss the trumpets, but the cd fits the story line so *****. I'm putting this album on par with the best the Waterboys have done. Fantastic! (This does not have a fiddle on it. The acoustic is used on 3 songs) Go to the show to hear the fiddle on these tunes.Thanks Mike - Yea this is a glowing review.