Customer Reviews

This Is the Sea

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know that part of you that thinks you can fly? That same part that makes it hard to look at the sky when it's full of stars, or makes you feel the depth of everything when you are watching a huge storm down by the ocean? This is the album to speak to that part of you. WARNING, though - after listening, you might just find yourself a little discontent with the office and may even be tempted to run away to Ireland where melancholy and passion are just little more normal.

All I can say is that this is one of the few albums that has really lasted--it's almost 20 years old! It may have its flaws, it may be overly grandiose in parts, but as always with Mike Scott the payoff is enormous. This album means so much to me. I only wish it were remastered like the others. I also have a reissue vinyl version which I recommend hunting down because the sound on it is amazing, much better than the (unfortunately) slightly tinny feel of this cd. I agree that this is still the Waterboys' finest hour, and that in itself is quite a compliment.

When this record came out, many critics placed it in the same category as bands like U2 and the Alarm. Well, yeah, the band was from the same part of the world, but they have as much to do with U2 as the Velvet Underground did: distantly related cousins.

This is still one of my favorite albums. Each song is visceral and emotional. "Don't Bang the Drum" is intense and driving in a "Big Music" kind of way with Anto Thistlethwaite's saxophone, the pounding rhythm, and Mike Scott's constant yelping; "The Whole of the Moon" is one of the most heartfelt and direct anthems of all time (anchored down by Kurt Wallinger's piano and Anto's sax); "This is the Sea" literally overwhelms with the multitracked guitars and the, again, anthemic theme.

This was an important album at the time of its release and remains so. It was more organic than bands like U2 (although "The Unforgettable Fire" and parts of "The Joshua Tree" come close thanks to the incredible production of Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno) or the Alarm (lyrically, and musically) and the directness of the message ("The Pan Within", "Spirit") read to an audience numbed by Duran Duran like no other band at the time. Unfortunately, Mike Scott, completely wrapped up in the spirituality hinted at by his lyrics, left the "Big Music" for the simplicity of more traditional musics (Irish) only to return in a different world, handicapped by over-production and the pressures of the music industry.

This record has withstood the test of time and for those so let down by the overly corporate U2, this album still satisfies the spiritualness and honesty so ignored by virtually every band out there. This is one of the most important musical and spiritual documents of all time.

This is seemingly the first thought that comes up my mind after listening to an album by this group, particularly This Is The Sea. I yearn for water because it actually seems as if I came from a long journey. The Waterboys' music is sort of like arranged in epic proportions and they are very keen on using "special" musical instruments. I will actually never forgive myself if I don't do a review of this album because this somehow affected my growing life one way or the other. Outstanding cuts for me are The Whole of the Moon and The Pan Within but the rest of the cuts are equally dramatic. I was introduced to this music during the 80s British New Wave invasion and was particularly struck by Scott's voice specially in The Pan Within where he sounded as if indeed he was doing a "journey under the skin". It is just sad that they weren't that much recognized but hey I am not complaining because it is usual that brilliant music and musicians are remembered for quality not quantity as opposed to those "highly commercial" ones. Even the layouts on the inner sleeve of the discs speaks of so much mystery of the group's music and image but now I can only sum them up in one word - fantastic. "Close your eyes...breathe slow and we will begin......"

This album is one I have worn out in vinyl and cassette. I can't imagine anyone not having this one. This album showcases fantastic and uplifting lyrics with solid, tasteful musicianship. Any Hothouse Flowers fan should listen to this recording and hear the album responsible for their sound. This is the album that preceded Fisherman's Blues, the brilliant recording that made the Waterboys "an Irish band". MIKE SCOTT IS SCOTTISH!!!!!! He obviously loves and reveres Irish Traditional music, but the Waterboys are not an Irish band! Listen to this recording until it wears out.

Only one album from the Waterboys reaches higher than A pagan place, and this is it!

This is the sea has no weak moments whatsoever - which hardly can be said about many others... From beginning to end, this albums demands you to listen!

Mike Scott is still in progress, but this is definitely the Waterboys' finest album, and one of the top ten albums of rock history.

Mike Scott's big music is at its biggest and best on this album. After this he went Celtic with "Fisherman's Blues", and I didn't quite go along for that ride. However, I am still digging this 20 years later. An indelible memory from my college years is being pressed up against the stage at the Roxy when the Waterboys took the stage on this tour, and hearing the count off on "Don't Bang The Drum". Unforgettable.

"Don't Bang The Drum" combines a trumpet intro worthy of Arturo Sandoval, and kicks into a ripping overdriven Les Paul hard rock tune that punctuates itself with mandolins and violins. "The Whole of the Moon" is a mid tempo rocker (with the requisite dueling trumpet solo amid a prominent piano motif that would definitely show up prominently in future World Party music) that is still fresh.

I could go through every song on the album, but others have already done so. I also urge you to listen to the mp3s and decide for yourself. This album is all about layered music, from a simple percussion, piano, bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, that gets more interesting with violin, mandolin, trumpets, percussion. Each part is interwoven and takes a few listens to get it all. From Dylan, post-punk, and Celtic influences comes something original and enduring. The songs are beautifully written, arranged and performed. Enjoy it! It's a great album.

I first remember hearing the first few bars of "The Whole of the Moon" as an intro to one of the segments on "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and fell in love instantly (my appalled friend informed me that it was The Waterboys). After getting the cassette in 1986 I was amazed at the strength of their songwriting and the pure emotion put into songs like "Spirit", "The Whole of the Moon" and the title track. This is the type of album in which every song becomes a favorite. Inspriational, and definitely one of the best albums of the Eighties.

This is one of my favorite albums, and one of those that are so good you identify a part of your life with it. It was so different when it came out, and still influence a lot of bands today. I just saw a country/rock band in Little Rock (Hell's Kitchen, great band BTW) do a couple of songs from it just the other day. The songwriting is immaculate, and the production is lush without being syrupy. You know you've stumbled onto something great on the first listen.

This review is in regards to the EMI remaster 2 cd release on April 20, 2004. The bonus cd of extra tracks that didn't make the original release are every bit as good as the tracks on the original album. Having a hard time categorizing this album 'cause at times I hear songs that U2 could have released or even Springsteen and yet it can be called alternative rock/ folk rock but it's not as simple as that. It is simply very good, strong lyrics and melodies and not dated as one would think considering it was originaly released in '85. A pleasant surprise for me, having listened to it three times thru, and I rarely ever do that. recommended.