Cheap This Is the Sea (Music) (The Waterboys) Price

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Customer Reviews of This Is the Sea

Stunning
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.

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Water, please!
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......"

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A rough start
Sounding particularly shrill, Mike Scott is very much out front in this first Waterboys CD. All original songs work to this CD's disadvantage. There is no break from the band's worst faults, like bad poetry ("Old Spirit") and poor similes ("Your life is like an ocean," "Your love feels like trumpets" both from "Trumpets") that the occasional reworking of an Irish standard helps compensate for. There are some good tunes here, like the epic title track and "Don't Bang the Drum" with its passionate commentary about appreciating the beauty before you. But the overall effect is a band trying to find its way.