Customer Reviews

This Is the Sea (Bonus CD)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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If you are reading this review, it may well be that you know the original album and want to know about the additional CD. If this is not the case, you need to know only that "This is the Sea" is one of the finest albums of the decade (the 80's) in which it was made.
So to the additional CD ......... well, if you chose to buy this prepare to be astounded. The opening track "Beverly Penn" will leave your jaw on the floor, wondering how this beautiful song (lyrically and musically) possibly remained unreleased, even on the original album. Elsewhere you get full length versions of Spirit and Medicine Bow that more than enhance the original releases.
Add to the smorgasbord a number of terrific studio recorded instrumentals, some of which form the basis of completed songs that made the final released album. There's also a live version of the title track recorded before the studio version and a number of other songs that in most cases were inexplicably left off the final running order.
After a week with this, I've come to the conclusion that the extra CD beats the pants off the original...... and anyone who has lived with "This is the Sea" for two decades will find that hard to believe. But then so would I have done until last week .....

This was a great album released in 1985. It is now even better. It is the only Waterboys ablum I have ever owned. (and I have heard them all) For some reason this album has an alluring quality to it that beckons the listener to absorb it completely. I was thrilled when it was finally given the treatment it deserved. The remaster is glorious. There are instruments that I never heard on the orginial CD pressing. The packaging is great too. Extensive liner notes make this a great read about how the album was put together. The bonus CD mirrors the quality of the cuts that made the album. The full version of "Spirit" is fantastic and should have been the cut on the actual album. There are a few insrumentals on the bonus CD that could have easily replaced "Be my enemy" which made the cut and should have been omitted in favor of any of the gems on the bside bonus CD. I was very impressed with the overall value and package of this landmark 1985 recording. Buy it...you won't be sorry.

I didn't think it possible for a re-release of an album that the bonus cd of previously unreleased material would be better than the original material. A heck of an album and it does not sound dated. What do the waterboys sound like, difficult to say, but when I am listening to the cd I feel and hear U2 or Springsteen on many of the tracks.Listened to both cds three times in a row as I was that intrigued.

If the second disc of "outtakes" had been released in 1985 instead of the original disc, it would still have been one of the best albums of the year.

I bought This is the Sea many years ago, after I saw the Waterboys open up for U2 at a concert in the DC metro area. At first, I did not care much for the album, but it really grew on me over time. I recently bought the re-issue and glad that I did. This is the Sea is an excellent album which demonstrates the wide music array of talent of the Waterboys. The original album includes great songs such as Bang the Drum, Whole of the Moon (best song on the album), Pan Within, and the classic title song. The bonus CD includes more great songs, and some strong live versions as well.

The re-issue includes detailed notes from Mike Scott in which he describes how the album was recorded (to include the bonus CD material), and the many influences of his music. You can definitely hear the influence of Van Morrison, and celtic music mixed with U2. They almost sound like a much more positive version of Echo and the Bunnymen. If you like Van Morrison, U2, the Alarm, Simple Minds, Big Country, and other UK bands like these from the 80s, then I would try this album. You may find a hidden jewel.

I heard some of this sound track on a surfing video on TV. I had to have it ! Let me tell you, there is not one song on here that disappointed me. It is a great CD PERIOD !

Well This is the sea... a great cd of Art and Rock 'n' Roll. Mike Scott and Co. created a jewel

The music on this album is great and the album repackaging and the addition of a new CD with outtakes and alternate takes enhances the value of the original album.

IMHO, the worst part of the repackaging are the new comments by Mike Scott in the CD. They are a mixture between self-indulgence and own pride not everybody would be pleased with.

If you are looking for a Waterboys album, get this one or Fisherman Blues.