Review of Waterboys : Universal Hall
While restless musical eclecticism and unabashed spiritualism have been the ruin of many a lesser band, Mike Scott's Waterboys have oft worn them as a badge of honor throughout their rough ‘n' tumble history. And while those shifts from electric to acoustic, anthemic to ethnic have produced nearly as much consternation as transcendence for their listeners, each effort has been true to itself in subtly different ways. That's no less true on this collection of, in Scott's own summation, "one Irish reel and eleven spiritual-based songs." The crypto-religious dimensions of Scott's long dalliance with the Findhorn Foundation are marked from the album's title (a Scottish theater run by the organization) and the upbeat, neo-classicism of the opening anthem, "This Light Is for the World." "The Christ in You" and "Silent Fellowship" continue those themes, but begin to explore the subtle, compelling sonic dimensions that are the album's greatest strength. With fiddler Steve Wickham back in the fold, the band's folk ambitions resonate anew with quiet strength on the lovely "Peace of Iona" and the vigorous reel, "Dance at the Crossroads." Yet "Seek the Light" proves Scott can just as quickly still conjure the challenging electro-angst of the Waterboys "comeback," Rock In a Weary Land , before coming full circle on the expansive, spiritually unapologetic title track.--Jerry McCulley

Users's Reviews - Waterboys : The spiritual shines through
This is one mixed bag of songs that is surely likely to get equally mixed reviews. Yes, the lyrics are largely disappointing for Mike Scott and yet the spiritual is there without a shadow of doubt. One huge spiritual light that shines through the minimalism. And the musicians, the Waterboys backing Mike produce absolute brilliance in every note. I am not disappointed except for the one track "seek the light", a noisy track that just does not fit on this album.

Maybe I wouldn't pay the full price but why not?! The spirit such as produced by these musicians is not that easy to find these days. Earlier Van Morrison, U2, Radiohead, and OK now the Frames. Keep up the good work Mike and The waterboys!

Your latest reviews - Waterboys : The Best Live CD you'll hear this year
and one of the best CDs period. Mike Scott leaves nothing on the table and brings to the proceedings material from the entire Waterboys' catalogue. I'll never understand how they self-destructed on the cusp of greatness in the early nineties. This was a band to reckon with and they had the excitement and the energy and the tunes to eclipse Springsteen and a whole host of others who simply play to the gallery. Scott went into a period of solo outings and nominal Waterboy efforts, but perhaps with the release of the FISHERMAN'S BLUES SESSIONS a couple of years back, it struck Scott how viable the concern still was.
To that end a band was reformed around himself and Steve Wyckham and the tours reconvened. This is an exciting amalgamation culled from the 2004 UK and Irish tours and ever track crackles and burns with an intensity that Scott brought to his best efforst. In fact, this release falls squarely in line with FISHERMAN'S BLUES, THE LIVE ADVENTURES OF THE WATERBOYS, THIS IS THE SEA. It is so superb in every respect that it is arguably the best Waterboys disc to date. The 13 minute version of "Pan Within" never lets up (ONLY THE VERSION ON LIVE ADVENTURES that fuses the song with Patti Smith's "Because The Night" is more cathrtic). I've nearly wrecked the car twice while this was on. "Peace of Iona" for his native Scotland is so heartfelt, you'd be excused for packing it all in and heading for a croft in the Western Hebrides. "Whole of the Moon" resonates with such passion, it is nearly as inflammatory as the version on LIVE ADVENTURES. Dissolving into "Fisherman's Blues" it is one of the most thrilling experieneces you'll ever have with a recorded disc. "fisherman's Blues" is possibly one of the best songs ever written in the entire Irish-Scots Rock catalogue and resonates with an authenticity that speaks to everyone. Sharon Shannon comes on for the encore and it's a keeper of a tune, hopefully signalling that where ROOM TO ROAM left off, there will be a return to form. I hope so. A second coming of the full power of the Waterboys would be almost too much to ask for, and makes one delerious at the very likely prospect of its deliverance. Maith Thu! Iontach Mhaith!