Customer Reviews

Still Burning

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This and the subsequent Rock in the Weary Land are rock and roll albums that complement each other well. Still Burning incorporates fewer influences, but is no less interesting or compelling. These are rock guitar songs, and not the new wave influenced Waterboys music, which I also like. Scott explores refreshingly new ground, and maintains a strongly spiritual aspect throughout. Some songs are more serious than others, but all are meant to rouse the listener, to get your attention and say something to you, about relationships, about the meaning of life, about having fun, about identity, and other topics. One of my favorite rock albums of all time.

This album may not appeal to fans of the first 4 Waterboy albums up through "Fisherman's Blues." It is similar in flavor to "Dream Harder", which I found disappointing and pedestrian. The Big Music from the earlier albums was not about louder, harder guitar riffs, which Scott seems to have embraced. Rather, it was about soaring melodies, richly textured instruments, and passionate, folk-rooted songs. That wondrously unique sound has devolved into straight-ahead rock (save for the excellent "Love Anyway", the only song reminiscent of the earlier Waterboys. There is certainly no "December" or "Pagan Place" on this album. So much talent, but seeming to lack direction.

I always love artists who change slightly and still sound fresh with each album, but always retain those intangible elements that made you like them in the first place. I really like Scott's last solo album, "Bring Em All In" a lot, and "Still Burning" is of a similar quality, although as others have said he goes back to a bigger, fuller, more Waterboys-ish sound with this work. The songwriting is top notch, and as usual with Scott, covers a wide range of emotions and subjects. Another thing I really like is the production quality of this album--it has a bit of a rough edge--it almost sounds like these guys have set up the band in your living room! Unfortunately, in this era of sterile, overproduced recordings of soulless, crude, ignorant artists (Eminem, Limp Bizkit and numerous teen/boy bands), there's not enough artists putting out great music like Mike Scott.

My only gripe about this record is that it could have been super-great, instead it is just very good. Perhaps I got a little overfed by singers-songwriters music with rock undercurrents... who knows. Anyway, this album, taken separately is probably of the same strength as "Bring'em All In" so I might be just not feeling too well but then again maybe I onto something. "Questions" and "Rare Precious And Gone" are the highlights but a few others are really good numbers like "Everlasting Arms", "Sunrising' and "Love Anyway". Also worth every penny!

Mike's songcraft, poetry, spirit & heart are overflowing here. This is simply one of the best albums ever, full of the most passionate and moving rock music imaginable. "Open" is sheer bliss, "Love Anyway" soars and "Dark Man of my Dreams" rocks!

Whether solo or with The Waterboys, Mike Scott creates music to open your eyes and lift your spirit. Buy this NOW!!!

Mike Scott is back where he belongs, once again listening to the Big Music that sent the Waterboys soaring in the 80s. This collection is a gem well worth exploring.

This album may not appeal to fans of the first 4 Waterboy albums up through "Fisherman's Blues." It is similar in flavor to "Dream Harder", which I found disappointing and pedestrian. The Big Music from the earlier albums was not about louder, harder guitar riffs, which Scott seems to have embraced. Rather, it was about soaring melodies, richly textured instruments, and passionate, folk-rooted songs. That wondrously unique sound has devolved into straight-ahead rock (save for the excellent "Love Anyway", the only song reminiscent of the earlier Waterboys. There is certainly no "December" or "Pagan Place" on this album. So much talent, but seeming to lack direction.

This is a more raucous departure for Scott, following his first solo album. A bit harder to listen to because of that, and you need to be in that frame of mind, but it does have the huge plus of not having the evangelical nonsense associated with the former album. The lyrics are still sharp, and some songs incredibly haunting and beautiful. Another 'Bring em all in' it's not, but well worth getting if you enjoyed any of his previous stuff.

It took me a decade to discover this set that was released in 1998. What a delight! The opener "Questions" rocks addictively with a great hook and energy, "Who's that man with the potion dressed in velvet & gloves, causing grief and commotion, talking 'bout love." "Rare, Precious & Gone" is another addictive track that throbs on a good beat, "She a queen among women, a child among queens, the finest thing your lovesick eyes have ever seen." "Everlasting Arms" is a lovely song of devotion, marred only by the squeak of fingers on the acoustic guitar. Tracks like the old-style rocker "Since I Found My School" & "Man on a Mountain" are excellent. Scott's in good form on this excellent set. Enjoy!

This is a return to the earlier "Big Music" sound of The Waterboys. Over-driven guitar and the dark lyrical content for which Scott is justly praised make this a fantastic listen, whether as a long-time follower or new convert.