Reviews (page 5 of 9)
This was a treat. Heard of but never really listened before. Like the vibe
4/5
Me sorprendió mucho la verdad. Es un album medio country rock con influencias irish scottish folk type shit. Banqué muchísimo we will not be lovers y world party me gustó mucho tmb. Pero en general muy buenos temas y muy divertidos. Esas strings casi siempre presentes le añaden mucho al album.
What a revelation. A wonderful mix of Irish trad and rock elements, with a very different sound to the Pogues, the other leaders in this domain. Listened to while cleaning the apartment and went out to try to buy it straight away. Despite the website saying they had it, and my best efforts to make it across Paris with superhuman speed, turns out the FNAC did not have it. Only returned to a month later or so. Still sounds great, but not quite the 5* listen I thought the first time. High 4*, will be returning many a-time (these ratings are just an indication of one's appreciation, you know...)
3.5/5
Felt a bit long. Enjoyable enough - heaps of fiddle and very folky. Would probably go for more traditional folk over this if I was in the mood for that though.
First two songs were really amazing, some pretty interesting celtic rock stuff on here
Actually somewhat enjoyable if a lot of the same. I likes the brass on “World Party” 3/5
I liked this and would happily listen to this very long double album several times before listening to any more country music. The music still seems fresh today. Whoever said it’s like being at a ceilidh hasn’t ever been to a ceilidh. It’s like being in an Irish pub with a warm fire. Lovely.
Man, this is definitely one of my favorite discoveries on this project. I’m giving it 5 stars despite only listening to it twice. This band, who I had not heard of before this, nails in this record all of my peak interests in a great album: great lyrics, emotive vocals, well played and varied musicianship, and a distinct sound. The opening title track is incredible, as is the epic following track We Will Not Be Lovers. Starting with two heavy hitters like this would set up most albums for imbalance, but every track following these are of fantastic quality. This record reminds me of Wilco’s Being There album in many ways. I look forward to discovering more of the Waterboys.
It's fine, not really my kind of music, but I can appreciate that it's well done. Too folksy for me and it dragged on after about 45 minutes or so.
I really enjoyed this. Felt I was listening to Irish music and DMB at times.
Pleasantly surprised by the start of this! Then the next song begins and eh. That about sums up my reaction to the rest of the album.
Not really my taste. Probably some tunes I'd enjoy, but a bit long for me
sweet i like folk music a lot -great instrumentation (from wife)
3.5 - cool folky Irish album. Enjoyed it a lot more when they leaned heavily into the traditional Irish sounding songs.
Jesus Christ this is bad. And almost 2 hours of it as well! Just endless saccharine noise and Poundshop U2 ballads from a band that sounded worse than most open mic acts I’ve seen. This was really quite dreadful, but not even in an interesting way. Found this an utter slog to get through and was none the wiser about its inclusion on the list by the end.
Kinda fun, not really my thing overall. Too long. And a Bang on the Ear was my favorite.
I love this stuff, but I recognize it’s not for everyone. Hell of a good time though.
My Irish uncs let me down 😔
Might be the least me album i can come up with. But I kinda love it. Im not sure how many of these songs I'll be spinning for years to come but damn. They can play and sing. The fiddle is top tier. When its in the mix im happy. And when its other things im also pretty satisfied. Just a great folk cleric thing. Idk what even it is but at the end of the day I enjoyed my time here
I very much enjoyed this rock/folk album with heavy Scottish and Irish influence. I didn’t know what to expect at first but I heavily dug this album! I would definitely give this album a listen again and recommend it to others! The vibes were on point.
I honestly couldn't believe this album was from '88 when i first listened to it. Feels very faithful to old folk music. That being said i dont feel like theres a lot of substance here tbh. The concept is cool tho. "We Will Not Be Lovers" is a great song. 7/10 Favourite: We Will Not Be Lovers Least Favourite: Has Anybody Here Seen Hank?
theres like 3 good songs on here in the beginning that i really loved so i was hopeful but there's a lot of ren faire bull shit in here
Yawn
Too fucking long man. Ain't no one got time to listen to an album for 2 hours.
I liked this one, though I only listened to the first 13 as that was what was on the original release.
Åpningslåten er en klassiker. Hele albumet gir deg én følelse av å være på live konsert med god stemning og med utøvere med spilleglede og overskudd 👍🏻
снова вспомнила про песню зыс ленд из май ленд, но в остальном ничего не почерпнула - народные мелодии без инноваций
I loved this album when it first came out. I was just getting into Celtic/folk music, and this bunch of British louts was the perfect introduction.
Loved it from start to finish feels some how refreshing yet familiar. Never heard of this band before but loved the use of folk music making it stand out from lots of other on this list and made a refreshing change of pace. It also worked perfectly as work music keeping me upbeat and energetic.
Boring!
Mezcla de rock, country y músicas tradicionales de Irlanda y Escocia. Aunque me parezca que ya hay demasiados álbumes de folk-rock irlandés y derivados en esta lista, este álbum me ha parecido de los mejores que he escuchado hasta ahora dentro de su estilo, al menos su primera mitad. Es rápido, alegre y enérgico en su justa medida, a la vez que bucólico y melódico. Los instrumentos tradicionales (más que nada el violín y la gaita) no llegan a resultar irritantes como suele pasar en este género. Un álbum que sabe fusionar muy bien ambos géneros sin llegar a los excesos de The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys y compañía, aunque va girando más hacia el puro folk conforme va avanzando. Sin embargo, lo tengo que dejar en dos estrellas porque la cara B es bastante muermo. Canciones lentas, largas y muy repetitivas, que hacen poco probable que vuelva a escuchar el álbum en su totalidad.
I wish I’d sooner known we had such wonders at home.
Overall, surprisingly good. Although I try to keep an open mind, I will admit to a certain bias when I am presented with an album from the 80s, so I was not excited to see this album pop up. That said, I was very pleasantly surprised. I think it’s very unique, in that it sounds like a mix of many different things, and not at all the stereotypical 80s sound. About half the album deserves 4 stars, but there are too many songs that sound country-ish, or just kind of bland. I wish I could give it a 3.5.
Basically Irish Springsteen/Arcade Fire! Good energy and songwriting, but just not really my bag and songs quite long. Feels like a slog, somehow. Just with the pace and keeping up and amount of things going on in a song.
Correcto
Not gonna pretend I like this type of music.
Disc 1? Pretty pleasant. Some sweet instrumentation, nice vocals. Nothing too inspired but good nonetheless, although it is somewhat one-dimensional. Disc 2? Insufferably boring, continuing the trend of the latter half of the first disc. This has no reason to be as long as it is, just the first disc would have been fine. Or just half of disc 1, for that matter.
A little long but I really enjoyed! “When will we be wed” was an unexpected bop
This one was a surprise- traditional Irish/UK songs with a modern rock influence. The instrumentation was skillful and the songs were catchy. Overall- I enjoyed it a lot. 3.5/5
Surprisingly good. Love Disc 1 a ton, Disc 2 was a little unnecessary imo. Just good vibes all around though. 4 stars fs fs.
Now THIS is my speed. What a phenomenal album, I feel like it was made for me just to discover 40 years later. I love the Celtic folk rock style, it’s so fun and so interesting. Makes you vibe, makes you feel, and makes you just enjoy music and life altogether. This albums immense length is both a great strength and a great weakness as I’m not sure how often I’ll be returning to this album in full, but it did mean there was that much more superb content to enjoy. What a surprise and amazing discovery, 5 stars to make sure I don’t forget this gem.
This was so much better than I expected. Not perfect, and not an album I would revisit often, but I'm actually glad to have heard it. It does feel a little weird that this was from 1988, like they happened to be 20 years behind in Scotland/Ireland, but I chalk that up to being basically "pub music" (in a good way). Yeah, this was not the height of fashion, but I bet they had fun playing at local pubs for years before releasing their albums. Overall, enjoyable, even if I'm not adding it to my personal library.
actually really enjoyed this one
Gotta listen to it again
Liked the beginning a lot. Love the fiddle.
Evokes Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea at first. This is good for me. Overall, not bad, but it is probably not going to become a favourite.
First Song is one I’ve heard plenty of times in the car back in the day, The drum fills are really satisfying on the second song. Third song is a nice change of pace with some nice violins, don’t know why I’m going through each song I don’t really want to do that so favourites: world party, jimmy hacket, bang ear and Dunfords fancy. I really liked the mix of Irish pogue type songs with a more classic rock style in some and the violin throughout was a nice way to keep it fresh and unique. Overall, 6/10.
This is a very good album. First time listening to its entirety. Great voice and infectious music.
Pretty good! Scotch Irish folk rock, with the violins and mandolins that implies. The title track is great, as was We Will Not be Lovers. Not my style of music, but definitely a great album that exemplifies its style.
It was OK but I agree with some of the other reviewers that it got really tired by the end. One trick pony.
Fun!
A bit of a nothing album, unfortunately. The loved the opening track, and there were a few instrumental moments that piqued my interest, but otherwise nothing really stuck, even after a couple of listens. Nothing of the quality of Whole of the Moon, for example. Not awful, just a bit nondescript.
This album sucks leprechaun balls.
Didn't hate it didn't love it
No. DNF
Growing up surrounded by Celtic music as the brother of a world championship Irish dancer, not to mention a significant amount of time spent at the Irish cultural centre, I have a very large soft spot in my heart for this album. Also given that I know how it feels to sail on a strange boat, headed for a strange shore, I also feel a level of affinity on a different level for both this album and that song in particular. This is a fun album that makes me want to drink rum in an old pub while eating a steak and Guinness pie. I really enjoy the mix of traditional Irish music, folks and occasionally some rock n roll peppered in. I like this a lot and it’ll continue to get the occasional listen, I’m sure. 4*
I meaaannn.... this album would be fine...... if it weren't so long... there is no need for ~a third of the songs on this album to be 7+ minutes long. I've decided I just don't really like traditional Celtic influences/fusion in modern music. Pick a lane. I dunno.
**An ok album
Ah, mes ouailles, nous revoilà devant l'autel du "1001 Albums", ce grand livre sacré qui nous force, semaine après semaine, à nous pencher sur des disques que, parfois, on a soigneusement évité pendant des décennies. C'est un peu comme une Toussaint musicale : on va rendre hommage à des monuments, qu'ils nous filent des frissons ou qu'ils nous laissent de marbre. Et aujourd'hui, on sort les violons, les mandolines et les chapeaux de pêcheurs pour s'attaquer à un gros poisson, un véritable mastodonte du folk-rock des années 80 : "Fisherman's Blues" des Waterboys. Sorti en 1988, putain 1988, une année charnière. Pendant que mes héros de Sonic Youth déconstruisaient le rock avec "Daydream Nation" et que les Pixies sortaient le décapant "Surfer Rosa", un certain Mike Scott, leader des Waterboys, décidait de faire tout le contraire. Fini la "Big Music", ce son ample, quasi-héroïque et gorgé de synthés qui avait fait leur succès. Non, Scott a tout envoyé balader et il a pris ses cliques et ses claques, a traversé la mer d'Irlande et s'est installé à Dublin, puis dans le Connemara. Le message était clair : retour aux sources, aux racines, à la terre. Et merde, ça s'entend. Je dois être honnête, cet album, je le connaissais de nom, bien sûr. Le morceau-titre, impossible de passer à côté, surtout quand on a usé ses fonds de culotte dans une radio indépendante dans les années 90. Ça passait, entre un Cure et un Noir Désir, ça sentait la Guinness, les pulls en grosse laine et les soirées au coin du feu. Une sorte de carte postale sonore de l'Irlande, bien avant que le "rock celtique" ne devienne une caricature pour touristes en kilt. Mais l'album en entier ? Jamais eu le courage car mon truc, c'était plutôt les ambiances de fin du monde ou les murs de sons… donc, la musique joyeuse et entraînante, très peu pour moi. Et "Fisherman's Blues", c'est exactement ça. C'est un disque qui respire la joie de jouer, c'est le son d'un pub où les pintes s'entrechoquent et où la musique prend vie, sans fard ni artifice. Et dès les premières notes, on est embarqué. L'arrivée de Steve Wickham et de son violon endiablé a complètement transformé le groupe, cet instrument devient le cœur battant de l'album, il pleure, il danse, il raconte des histoires. On navigue entre la folk irlandaise pur jus, le country américain, le blues des origines et un rock'n'roll débridé. C'est organique, c'est vivant, c'est brut et on imagine sans peine les sessions légendaires, ces centaines d'heures de musique enregistrées dans des manoirs irlandais, où le groupe, en formation élargie, explorait, improvisait, se perdait pour mieux se retrouver. L'album est une déclaration d'amour à l'Irlande. Mike Scott, l'Écossais, s'est littéralement fait naturaliser par la musique. Il adapte un poème de Yeats ("The Stolen Child"), reprend le "This Land Is Your Land" de Woody Guthrie en remplaçant les lieux américains par des noms irlandais. C'est un acte d'allégeance, une immersion totale, on sent les paysages venteux du Connemara, l'ambiance des pubs de Galway. C'est une quête de liberté, d'authenticité, une fuite loin du cynisme et de l'artificialité du business musical des années 80. Et sur ce plan, c'est une réussite totale. On ne peut qu'admirer la démarche, la sincérité du projet. Alors, qu'est-ce qui coince ? Pourquoi ce 3/5, me demanderez-vous, alors que je semble en chanter les louanges ? Eh bien, justement, c'est peut-être un peu trop authentique, un peu trop "bon enfant" pour le vieux con cynique que je suis. À force de célébrer la vie, la nature et la fraternité, on frôle parfois la naïveté. Ici, tout est lumineux, même la mélancolie. C'est une mélancolie douce, réconfortante, celle qu'on noie dans une pinte entre potes avant de repartir en chantant. Il me manque le danger, la fêlure, le cri primal. Et puis, il faut bien l'avouer, l'album est long... Et le CD, avec ses bonus, est encore plus long, on sent que tout ça est issu de sessions fleuves. Parfois, ça donne l'impression d'écouter le best-of d'une gigantesque jam session plutôt qu'un album pensé de A à Z. Certains morceaux s'étirent un peu, on sent que les mecs se font plaisir, et c'est super pour eux, mais pour l'auditeur... disons que ça manque parfois de concision. On a envie de leur dire : "Ok les gars, c'est bon, on a compris, passez à la suivante." En fin de compte, "Fisherman's Blues" est un album incroyablement important. C'est une pierre angulaire, un disque qui a redéfini le folk-rock et ouvert la voie à des dizaines de groupes. Il a prouvé qu'on pouvait faire de la musique populaire et exigeante, ancrée dans une tradition mais résolument moderne. C'est un disque qui fait du bien, qui donne la patate, qui donne envie de taper du pied et de voyager. Mais voilà, moi, la musique qui fait du bien, ça me rend méfiant. J'ai besoin de ma dose de noirceur, de dissonances, de malaise. "Fisherman's Blues", c'est une magnifique bouffée d'air frais, un grand bol d'embruns vivifiant. Mais après une heure passée sur le pont du chalutier, j'ai juste envie de redescendre dans la cale pour écouter les moteurs grincer et sentir le mazout. Question de tempérament... Je reconnais le chef-d'œuvre, mais il ne me parle pas aux tripes. Ça me fait une belle jambe, mais c'est comme ça. Un classique, sans aucun doute, mais pas mon classique.
sko, mjög sundurlaus hlustun hjá mér. mér fannst margt í þessu mjög skemmtilegt og lofa góðu. fágaðri pogues og kannski meiri köntrí áhrif - mögulega vegna þess að þetta er fágaðra. ég vil aðra og meira en get bara gefið 3,5.
A band I could get into. I plan on exploring more of their stuff.
this really won me over by the end
It's ok but no song is my favorite
Not bad. Got some bluegrass, rock, country, Irish folk.
I should love this. I enjoy rock, Irish music, bluegrass. But the dudes manage to drag out every song for so damn long! The endless repetitive riff at the end of We Will Not Be Lovers is downright obnoxious. I was ready to give it only two stars on first listen, but on repeated listening there are a few songs that I like enough to bump it up to three, despite some clunkers.
I don’t listen to a lot of Irish folk jigs so this album was quite a refreshing change of pace
Johnny! Stop fiddling yourself!
Solidly played music but I couldn’t remember anything I had listened to 20 minutes later.
6.5/10 This did what it did pretty well, but when it comes to it then I would describe it as a good-quality pub folk rock band So am not really sure why it’s considered important Occasionally teetered on embarassing over the top Celt stuff (I’m Scottish, know this pain) but just about got away with it. The Stolen Child pushed it though. Best: Fisherman’s Blues
They lost me in the second half a little bit, I felt like a little hobbit haha. I enjoyed the first two songs the most, they had such a great groove and the fiddle was such a star!
I Wish I Was A Fisherman Tumblin' On The Seas 1001 Albums Generator 9 (04/15/2025) Although the violin was originally made to play classical music, my favorite uses of the instrument (besides Vivaldi's Four Seasons) are all from outside this context. From Thank You Scientist to Sufjan Stevens' Illinois to Black Country, New Road, violin is just done best by the rock bands; I don't know what it is. By the time I reached the fourth minute of We Will Not Be Lovers, I realized that The Waterboys' fourth studio album Fisherman's Blues belongs in the rock violin pantheon. The Waterboys are a rock band with members from all four countries within the UK. While their first three albums helped to jump start the beginning of the so called "Big Music" genre, Fisherman's Blues represented a move away from that sound and features an embrace of Irish and Celtic folk music, infused with their rock sound. As I alluded to earlier, the star of the show here, besides band leader, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Scott, is the incredible violin (fiddle) playing of Steve Wickham, who appeared on only one song on the band's previous effort, This Is The Sea. I will be speaking in this review about the non-expanded edition, which is the first disc on the Spotify version of the album. Fisherman's Blues is really a story of two albums: the first is a brilliant combination of heartland-influenced rock and Irish folk instrumentation, and the second is an unremarkable Irish folk album. The first of these two albums (Fisherman's Blues through And A Bang On The Ear) is incredible. With the exception of Strange Boat and the bonus track Jimmy Hickey's Waltz, every song here is explosive. The first two songs especially highlight the incredible mix of rock and fiddle, with the second song, We Will Not Be Lovers, being perhaps my favorite song on the whole album. World Party features a really strange piano line that opens up into an almost post-punky Celtic inspired jam. There is also a cool moment in Sweet Thing where Mike starts singing Blackbird, and it is a totally dope recontextualization of that tune. The second of these two albums (Has Anybody Here Seen Hank through This Land Is Your Land) has precisely one song I like. Has Anybody Here Seen Hank? is a beautiful piece of Irish country. While it is simple, it is very well performed and Mike Scott's voice sounds great here. Every other song through to the end of the album is some mixture of boring and just plain bad. From the appallingly inoffensive When Ye Go Away to the painful slam poetry on The Stolen Child, side B of this LP has little to offer. This is a hard album to judge. On the one hand, I added two songs from this thing to a playlist, which is quite rare (normally I try to just do one per album). On the other, I have no desire to listen to this in full ever again. I can't go below a 3/5, just because the first half really is fantastic. Favs: Fisherman's Blues We Will Not Be Lovers World Party Least Fav: The Stolen Child
Enjoyed
This accomplished it's goal mightily. A great collection of eclectic folky tunes. Good listen
Irish folk with punk vibes
This is not too far removed from Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The songs are really good. If you would have told me that this was some kind of offshoot of The Smiths, I might believe you. 1 extra star for how the bass guitar sounds in the mix.
Really good all around - writing, vocals, style, variety, a little like the Lumineers mashed up with a bit 'o Dylan. I believe I heard tones of Great Big Sea as well. A few dead spots, but mostly a good listen.
I'm not familiar with The Waterboys and apparently this style is not their usual, but considering this album was Irish-style folk, country and rock, I actually really liked it which was unexpected!
A surprisingly good romp. Very confident in every decision it makes.
There are good songs on here, and some good musicianship, but it suffers from largely ridiculous lyrics and often obnoxious vocals. I do like varied albums, but somehow this one just feels disjointed. It's just too much in about every way. If this could be trimmed down by about an hour it would do so much better. At least I got to laugh/cry at The Stolen Child.
Did you know these guys are still at it?! On the day this was suggested to me (4/4/25), they released their 16th studio album. Regardless where this review goes, I think that's pretty impressive. A band that released their first album the year I was born and consistently to the year I turn 42 (so far). I don't think I've ever heard this album, but I've definitely heard of the band. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the opening track gave me hope. That momentum certainly carried into We Will Not Be Lovers, a rocking 7-minute barrage of violins that I very much enjoyed. Frustratingly though, all that drive was lost for Strange Boat, which just sucked all the energy out of the album. When the energy picked back up on World Party, I thought "ok, hopefully this is more the vibe of the rest of the album", but alas, it's more of the mellow, downtempo folksy stuff. Not that there's anything bad or wrong with where the album went, it just left me disappointed after those first few songs. I guess it's a good record, but not something I'll becoming back to any time soon with exception of a few songs. 3/5
1. bluez - 1 2. loverz - 1 3. ztrange - 1.5 4. party - 1 5. zuueet - 1.5 6. uualtz - 1.5 7. bang - 1.5 8. hank - 1.5 9. married - 1 10. uuhen - 1.5 11. fancy - 2 12. child - 1.5 13. land - 1 1. carolan - 2 2. heart - 1 3. zky - 1.5 4. married - 1.5 5. bluez - 1.5 6. bonez - 1 7. holy - 0 8. meet - 1 9. home - 1
point2.
I know the band name, but was too young to be listening to them back in '88. First time listening to this album. I like his voice but I don't hear anything groundbreaking or overly memorable to include it on the T1001 playlist. Impressive listen count for the title track (66M+) and for the album in general so it's got the popular vote. Too much shanty sound for my liking but good background or Irish Pub type music. Favorite tracks - "Strange Boat" and "World Party". Enjoyable but not worthy, would not have made my Top 1001 or 2001. 3 stars since it's all good but it doesn't check the necessary boxes to make this list.
Way too long and this type of music is better in a pub than on vinyl. Didn't click with me.
Nah. One album is enough. 3 because it’s good. But this isn’t the album. -1 because it shouldn’t be here.
My mate Dave keeps trying to get me to come to the Canberra Folk Festival with him. "It's great," he says, "after hours, you can just wander into any tent and there will be a bunch of musicians playing standards and you get to hear an eclectic bunch of musos, some amateur, some the best players you've ever heard, jamming it out." He has never managed to convince me, though. I'm not a huge folk fan, especially the heavily Celtic brand of folk that is commonly played in Australia. I suspect 'Fisherman's Blues' is exactly what I fear that those after hours sessions would sound like; any muso who ever picked up an instrument bashing out never ending versions of songs that are all pretty similar, trying to sound a lot more Irish than they really are. It's the interminable thing that really gets me. Did you see how long some of these songs are? There are three songs of 7 minutes each and one 9 minutes long! Mike Scott can write a fair facsimile of a folk tune, but they are not long enough to sustain my interest for that long. Seriously, if all the songs on here were edited down to closer to 3 minutes each, I would have a lot more patience for this. I might even like it. Seriously, I started listening to the opening track and thought "yeah, this is alright, I quite like this", but by the time I was five minutes into 'We Will Not Be Lovers', I was a broken man. The 9 minutes of 'And a Bang on the Ear' was like a retreat from Moscow -- thousands of dead soldiers in the snow by the side of the road. I believe you can buy a 7CD box set well with over 100 songs they recorded for the album but didn't include on the original release. God help us all. I've been pretty sarcastic here, but this really isn't a bad album. The songs are pretty good and his voice is compelling -- Mike Scott is not actually Irish, but does a reasonable job of pretending he is. The band is pretty great, although there are times where I would prefer less fiddle all over everything. It just needs some judicious pruning. I am also a massive fan of ex-Waterboy Karl Wallinger, who left prior to this album to form World Party, and his presence is missed (although I'm sure it would be a _very_ different record if Karl was involved). I'll bet Dave will give this album an extra star for the prominent use of the mandolin. Three stars.
Truth be told, after reading a few blurbs about this album, I wasn’t expecting to click with it much, if at all. And as long as I’m being honest, I’ll confess I don’t have much of an affinity for Celtic music. In my (admittedly few) attempts to understand this niche, I’ve often come away with a begrudging respect for the musicality and raucous energy, but rarely has the music connected with me on a core level. Enter Fisherman’s Blues. From the moment Steve Wickham’s fiddle soars over the title track’s opening strum, there’s an undeniable sense of warmth, like stepping into a dimly lit pub just as the best kind of night is beginning. The album walks the line between Celtic folk and folk-rock with remarkable balance—traditional instruments aren’t there as a gimmick but as an essential part of the songwriting. “We Will Not Be Lovers” simmers with an almost hypnotic intensity, the violin spiraling into a controlled frenzy, while “And a Bang on the Ear” unfurls like a sprawling, bittersweet fireside tale, growing richer with each passing verse. Songs stretch out for what seems like an eternity, yet they never overstay their welcome—like an old friend you meet for a quick coffee and somehow end up spending the whole night with. The rawness of these recordings only adds to their charm. You can hear it in “Sweet Thing”, where Mike Scott loses himself completely in the song’s rolling momentum, weaving seamlessly into a snippet of “Blackbird” as if the music itself is carrying him forward. He sings with an everyman charm, but there’s also something enigmatic about his delivery—he’s both the storyteller and the spellcaster, fully immersed in the world he’s creating. And despite the infamous 100 songs recorded during these sessions, the album itself feels incredibly cohesive. There’s no sense of overindulgence, no sprawling missteps—just an organic, lived-in sound that feels both deeply personal and effortlessly communal. I didn’t expect Fisherman’s Blues to resonate with me, but it did. And maybe that’s the magic of it—it doesn’t demand your love, but by the time you reach the end, it feels like an old companion you were always meant to find.
First half was perfect, second half does drop off a bit but still enjoyed it. I could listen to them and Pogues all day Rating: 4.7
This is not this is the sea.
Started off pretty strong but it seems like they lost their way of things by the end of the album, becoming largely forgettable.
Hard one to rate. All the songs are 2s or 3s, except two. And A Bang On The Ear was great, the story was funny and it flowed really well. The Stolen Child was boring and dull. But taken as a whole, I just had a blast. As the album went on, I kept wanting to hear more and more. Their use of violins and saxophones is just pure fun. Good album, enjoyed it a lot. Best song: And A Bang On The Ear
Ok
Good album but too long.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
I'm generally only mildly pro the Waterboys, but this album hit me on just the right day. On a weekend, in no hurry, feeling a bit reflective, trying to avoid the news.
I found this album some time after high school, and I've loved it since. Fisherman's Blues, We Will Not Be Lovers, World Party, And a Bang On the Ear... Those are enough for me the 5 tbh, I like it all the though.
3.5, rounded up
Did little to nothing for me. Feels like very generic folk/pop in every sense. 6/10
thank goodness i read the reviews and it saying i only needed to listen to the first 13 songs. it drags... great ideas and playing a game like Red Dead would make it much better, or at like a campfire setting, however a natural car listen home... not sure about that one. good stuff tho
The album's start is quite neat, with a mixture of rock and folk music composed beautifully. With excellent usage of wind, strings and piano parts put succinctly with the flowing rock parts. However, over time the influence of rock is lost, and it becomes a folk album that feels monotonous. I feel for those who had to listen to the deluxe parts.
good folk
The first half is great, jammy rock that combines the best tendencies of R.E.M. and Dave Matthews Band with the already decent pub rock sounds of the Waterboys. Despite longer songs, I was entranced. At the halfway point, there is a shift; it's much more folk song inspired, and it just sucks the energy out of the record. Not only is it not essential, but it kinda feels like a betrayal. I would rate it a 3/5, but the string of feeling tricked costs a point.
Play The Whole of the Moon! what do you mean it's on a different album, ffs!
This was a very good listen to driving. Stand out song - A bang on the ear
A wonderful journey that tails of the 80s with back to from stone cold classics.
Some good songs with a few snoozers mixed in. A lot of unique production choices with the combination of Irish and American country sounds makes it really quite interesting at points. 6/10
From the album cover I thought this was going to be something very traditional, proper Irish or sea shanty folk stuff. I did not expect it to be the band who did whole of the moon. It was okay I guess but the mish mash of styles was less than the sum of its parts I'd say. Was very happy to see the 1 hour 50 run time included a special edition disc 3 I could ignore, so I'd definitely reached my limit.
Doesn't resonate with me at all. Not one for me - don't mind Trad/Irish Trad, but this was just dull.
Feel that the group has been harsh on the Waterboys so far! Way better than a 1 or a 2 for me. I wasn't sure I knew them, but I think I probably heard a fair bit of this in my house growing up..... My dad went through an embracing his Irish heritage phase for a good few years and reckon the Waterboys were involved. "The stolen child" was very familiar to me. I do think the second disk is not as good, but good wasn't part of the original release. Fisherman's blues and "a bang on the ear" were the other highlights. 3.5, but 4 to correct the groups previous wrongdoings
So glad this album was served up today. I like traditional UK folk music and have been listening to this genre quite a lot recently. I’ve heard The Waterboys on the radio a lot and always made a mental note to listen to them more but never got around to it. This and no doubt other albums of theirs really appeal and I must try to get some into my record collection. 3/5 9/3/25
Really long, really boring.
This was kinda cool for me, and a bit of a surprise. Not a 5-star surprise but I would put this on again for sure. There was some Springsteen in there and probably this is an influence for Mumford & Sons. Def caught some Gordon Lightfoot sound as well. Folky and rock-y and melodic and interesting.
A tweener. Not bluegrass
This album is soooo freakin' good. I don't know if it's because it's early March and this is prep for St Patrick's day or just good clean fun traditional music. Regardless, my only criticism is being the Waterboys are/were a rock band dipping their toes into the traditional music pond, a more traditional band like the Wolftones, the Dubliners, or the Chieftains would have done a better job in this slot. 4.5/5
HINT: if the album is really long and the last half includes extended, alternate, remix or other versions then it is probably a deluxe collector's edition and you don't have to listen to all of it. The original here is only 13 tracks. 2.69
I listened to most of the first album, it took a while but this grew on me
Kinda balls
Four stars for Fisherman's Blues alone. Skipped through the rest of the album without listening closely but overall like the feel of it.
At first seems quite long at 1hour 42 but after checking that the original album is disc 1 only and that this is all that needs listening to. Quite enjoyed this and got quite nostalgic about hearing this in various student venues frequented in late 80s liverpool. Some big hits, Fisherman blues but also enjoyed Hank Wlliams song and strange ship. Didn't like the van morrison cover sweet thing so much.
boring in extensive measure. worse news, on Apple music we have a lot of extended versions of those songs. a lot of songs sound like background music in a US tavern. the song "sweet thing" takes lyrics from "blackbird" from The Beatles and it sucks, horrible hommage.
It was OK. I saved a few songs, but I wasn't blown away. Fine
I'm a sucker for the fiddle. I liked listening to this while working, reading, fiddling around the house. Nice variety on the album.
I enjoyed this one. Heavily influenced by Irish tunes, with some Scottish and other regional influences, but nicely balanced with a modern rock element and not tiresome.
Don't get me wrong, I love visiting Scotland...but this isn't why. Not horrible, but too much folk influence for my tastes.
First song was good. All down hill from there
Крепкий фолк альбом. Послушал с удовольствием. Смесь кельтского фолка (и его брата-кантри) с блюзом и звуком 80-х.
Better than I was expecting.
Interesting. Not amazing.
Strong start and then fell off a few songs in. You get a few celtic rock songs reminiscent of The Pogues but then it turns more and more into stuff you might hear at a Renaissance Fair or Irish Pub. Did not delve into to disc two as it wasn't part of the initial release.
Kinda wack
Gar nicht so schlecht aber bisschen langatmig teilweise
Un intringulis musical que deambula desde el rock más clásico, a veces buscando a Springsteen o Dylan y luego aires de flauta o Irlanda. Interesante el paseo
I presume the "Collectors Edition" cover was the only one available. I see lots of people complaining of the length. Yeah. Like all of these "Collectors/Expanded/Anniversary Editions" it's padded with the sweepings of the editing booth floor and is of interest to die-hard fans only... and possibly not even them. Enough on that. I missed out on The Waterboys in period. Some friends of mine liked them, but I was more into Zeppelin and the like at the time. Musical tastes change and evolve. Mine has, at least. I still like Zep but there's space for music of this sort too. I'll choose to listen to the original 13 track album; the first 13 tracks for those listening to the "Collectors Edition". That's excellent and has the benefit of already being in my collection. Great album, interesting lyrics, well produced, at times playful. Solid 4/5.
At the intersection of U2 and The Pogues this is a right good time. I think the first half was overall stronger than the second. Solid fiddling throughout. Favorite songs were Fisherman’s Blues, We Will Not Be Lovers, World Party, and Sweet Thing.
I'd like to give this a 2.5 but I actually just can't because of how this site is set up, it wasn't bad but then again, when the best song on the LP is a cover, that's not a great look. I'll take The Chieftains any day of the week over these guys.
Kinda cool, kinda cringe.
22 songs, a 1hr 40m run time. I liked it, bjt at tumes I spaced out and fogot that I was suppossed to listen to the music. (I know that all of that is fault of my attention span, sorry, boys of the water). A 6, too long for me.
Creo que no hay blues pero sí hay pescadores, y eso me gustó. Las canciones tienen mucha onda y me hicieron sentir como un granjero gringo disfrutando el atardecer después de un día pesado. Me gustaron.
Another great one :)
This sounds like an REM album if REM sucked
gostei não viu
rock para papais irlandeses! as duas primeiras musicas são bem legais até. a segunda metade é bem chatinha. no mais, paia.
Long.
Loved it, shockingly, given there are few words that spark more skepticism in me re: music than 'celtic'. The first two tracks and Sweet Thing are all so great. I felt moved to tears at times.
A pleasant rounded album with lots of familiar tracks.
I put this one off for a long while but it was a very pleasant surprise. Starts off strong and strident, first two tracks are my faves. It's got a folky style I usually don't like but I appreciated this.
Really good album.
There was a brief fad for Celtic folk rock in the 80s and the Waterboys were a prime example with their biggest hit being The Whole of the Moon in 1985. For this album a couple of years later, they leaned back towards a more traditional, folkier sound with violins, mandolins and flutes coming to the fore. I’m guessing this may have put off some of their earlier fans, but it sounds like they’re having a lot of fun with this, especially on the final live burst of Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land at the end.
There's a limited amout of fiddle you can support on an album. My limit is pretty high, but they're over 9000. That being said, it's an honest (Irish) folk rock album, but it's just a bit too much. I guess I could enjoy it with a pint in a pub, but no really more than that.
Had no idea what this was and found it generally enjoyable. But it was super weird. At first I thought it was a Bob Dylan wannabe. Then I thought it might actually be Dylan. Then it became traditional Irish folk music and was clearly not Dylan. So don’t know what to think.
Violin gets a bit too unnerving at times but overall I enjoyed this quite a bit.
Banger after banger
The musical expression of many Scots' not so secret wish that they were Irish.
Great album. Loved the Celtic-fused sound - being from Eastern Canada, those sounds kinda speak right to my soul. Fisherman's Blues and We Will Not Be Lovers are great and are on the playlist going forward! Solid 4/5.
Pretty interesting sound, like old timey Irish folk songs but more modern
Really enjoyed the beginning but got tired of the style by the end. Going to try an earlier album of theirs.
I like this. Really cool Folk. Carolan's Welcome stood out.
I tried. It had its moments, but it's too long and annoying.
Really dig it. Dylan, Springsteen, DMB, little Irish Rovers. Great combination.
Class by a class band. Loved Strange Boat
I think This Is The Sea is their magnum opus and had a niggle that I didn't like this at the time - too much violin. We also covered Fisherman's Blues and I used to drum one handed whilst smoking with the other as I found it so boring. Now, listening back, I'm really drawn in. I think he's a very good songwriter. I'm a sucker for the production at that time and the drums really ring. I like this a lot.
Honestly I didn’t finish both discs but after only having about half an hour a day for this particular album and going into day 3 I’m calling it. It’s a nice sound and I definitely rocked with it more than I thought I would. Nothing life changing but solid background music for 2 day mini-bursts but I need to move on. Would listen again maybe in 1 disc increments.
this album was not bad to listen to. i'm not usually a bluegrass rock-y type, but I enjoyed having this on in the background. i'm also not going to knock the length of this album, as it was a remaster/collector's edition
Too long. 1 star for torture.
Its not that its a bad album or that there are bad songs, its just too damn long. There are a bunch of songs that could take two to three minutes off the run time and still be solid. I enjoyed listening to it, but I could have just as easily given this album a two.
I had a good time with this one. I would be lying if I said I was ever going to put it on again, so I can't really go above a 3 based on my own scale. It was a fun mix up from what we usually get on this list.
An interesting fun and enjoyable album that I'm keen to dig into further. Faves: World Party, Killing My Heart
If this were "A Pagan Place" I'd give it a 5 in a heartbeat, but I'm less fond of this one. I still enjoy their schtick overall, though, and some of the individual tracks are 5 worthy. This brand of earnestness can sometimes turn me right off, but The Waterboys make it land. Fave tracks - "Fisherman's Blues" is great - wish more of the album shared that energy. "And A Bang On The Ear" was also great.
Very unique but lengthy and drags on second side. Feels like I'm blacked out on the floor of an Irish pub taking in all the sounds.
Fisherman’s Blues ist ein Album, das sich nicht in Kategorien zwängen lässt. Es wirkt zeitlos, ehrlich und von einem echten Entdeckergeist geprägt. Wer die Mischung aus traditionellem Folk und modernen Einflüssen schätzt, wird hier reichlich belohnt. Für Fans von authentischer, handgemachter Musik ist dieses Werk ein Schatz – und selbst, wenn man nicht jedem Song etwas abgewinnen kann, bleibt das Album ein Genuss für Momente, in denen man einfach mal die Seele baumeln lassen will.
Jesus Christ just because someone in your little band learns how to play the fiddle doesn’t mean you’re all the sudden good or interesting. This is way too long of a milk toast album to be such a god damn bore.
Really great album. Can't believe I'm enjoying something with folk tunes and a fiddle so much. maybe I'll learn to love Bob Dylan by the end of the 1001 too. Fisherman's Blues is a classic sing-a-long track and a great opener to the album. Mike Scott is 10x the singer Bob D is too, which helps. We Will Not Be Lovers is the standout though, loved the interplay between the violin and fretless (or double?) bass in the intro - really creates tension. Only two chords (A minor and F for those playing at home). Keeping the 5* run going is World Party, which spawned a pretty cool band too. Sweet thing slows things down somewhere, but it's a lovely song. Pleased to hear a 'bang' on the ear means a 'kiss'. There's a few not so great tracks later in the album, but I'm going 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Never heard or seen of this band before. This is a real treat though! Every time people on here complain about deluxe editions makes me want to scream. You don’t have to listen to disk 2 you morons
The first two tracks of Fisherman's Blues, the title track and "We Will Never Be Lovers," are among the best songs I've heard doing this project. The large 80s production and the desperation of the songs, especially for "...Lovers," makes for something exciting and emotional. Sadly, this desperation quickly dissipates after these opening tracks. The rest of the album is fine, but stops being so compelling. Ultimately, it is still a good record - pretty much any album with two opening tracks as good as these will be a fine record.
Decent and relatively entertaining. But not my spin.
This album was fine. I'm playing catch-up on my records list, and this was perfectly okay in the background. I really enjoyed the back half as opposed to the front half. Fav Track: Dunford's Fancy, The Stolen Child Least Fav: And a Bang on the Ear
They all sound a bit like that one single don't they?
I heard a song or two of this album. Straight ass. I am not listening to almost 2 hours of that.
Quaint and a delightful listen
60s folk rock, it's actually pretty groovy and upbeat. I really like it. My issue is the album is a tad long, and some of the songs very much so.
It's well done. The songwriting is good and the band has a cool sound. But this style of Irish rock has never really done much for me.
It was an interesting combination of rock and traditional Irish instrumentals and riffs. It reminded me a little of U2, but better. I really enjoyed this album, but also don't see myself listening to it much in the future.
really surprised by this, i really liked it. I'm not averse to a bit of folk and much of this was very folky. it appealed to my mellow side, and its not at all like the whole of the moon (which is ok). biggest problem now is the score, don't think its quite a 4, it's a good 3.8, but not a 4.
I needed this album today. A sad and emotional day, and then this popped up. An album I absolutely love because of a handful of joyous songs, but today it’s the sad and reflective songs that speak powerfully. The Waterboys dynamic is quite unique, and a ‘go to’ for me when I feel a certain way. Today, ‘When Ye Go Away’ hit the mark, and as I was listening to the Collectors Edition I also got the pleasure of ‘You in the Sky’ and ‘Let Me Feel Holy Again’. RIP Uncle John. Your legacy as a much loved husband, father and grandfather is an inspiration 🩷
I was not a fan of their pompous, overblown 'Whole of the Moon' era. This sounds more like the Pogues, but without the edge, which I guess was the aim? Pleasant enough and slightly more enjoyable than I expected.
This is the kind of music I love!
Interessant. Wirklich recht gut anzuhören.
A few of the songs go on longer then needed or wanted but boy do I love this band’s sound.
No my favorite, but not a 3 either.
It was okay. Little long but I made it all the way through with out a skip or stopping completely.
Folky, but in an ethnic British/Celtic kind of way (fiddles, strummy guitars, accented vocals, etc) Highlights: "Fisherman's Blues" (uptempo opener), "Strange Boat" (cool harmonica and violin interplay), "Sweet Thing" (musically pretty cover of a Van Morrison song with an interpolation of "Blackbird"), "And a Bang on the Ear" (interesting variety of Celtic pop, but a bit lengthy at 9+ minutes...)
Definitely too long. World Party and We Will Not Be Lovers are brilliant. At times the waltzy stuff takes away the momentum. It's best when the songs have a bit more bite.
Another big surprise - I know the Waterboys from Whole of the Moon and a few other tracks but this album is excellent. It’s like they saw what Dexy’s had done with traditional Celtic folk instruments and thought “We could do this so much better” even down to the Van Morrison cover, “Sweet Thing” which incorporates “Blackbird” by the Beatles. It’s like prog folk and I wasn’t expecting it.
Not something I'd listen to on a daily basis but a couple songs could be worth another listen
Listened to the non bonus version - thirteen tracks. Even so, a wee bit too much tweedle-dee-dum for me. I like the title track, but much of the rest doesn't stand out to me. A low three.
I listened to a bit of each track and they’re all a bit samey: The Pogues meets Coldplay playing covers in an Irish pub and The Chieftains walk in for a bit of the craic and for a guest appearance. Nice, but iconic? No.
Very good album timeless hasn't lost its traditional music charm.
Liked this better than I thought I would but I stopped it after the original first disc, didn’t do the bonus stuff.
Folky fun.
I didn't know this rock band had a folk album. Gives me Neil Young vibes.
Not really my bag. The Irish elements feel very surface level and the album overall is just kinda saccharine.
Blue like the ocean
3.75
Brings back memories of seeing them live in Dublin. They sound exactly the same. Raspy, Irish rock.
will listen again
Pleasant - 3/5
Newsflash: what I knew about the Waterboys so far bored me to tears, but with this record drawing on more traditional folk tones (both from Ireland and The US), I soon realized I was up for a pleasant surprise. Some of the songs are pretty moving, and with this record's production values favoring more acoustic tones, you don't have that horrible guitar and gated drum sound typical of the eighties (at least not to that extent). I didn't have the time to listen to the 2nd disc and its session outtakes but it doesn't matter. I'm leaving the door open for this one... 3/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums 8/10 for more general purposes (5 + 3) Number of albums left to review: around a hundred, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 443 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 264 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 321
"Fisherman's Blues" is the fourth studio album by Scottish-Irish folk rock band the Waterboys. This album was change in sound, abandoning their grandiose rock sound for a mixture of Irish and Scottish music, country music and rock and roll. Former memeber Karl Wallinger left the band while violinist Steve Wickham joined the band. Lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist Mike Scott moved to Ireland from London where the band recorded over 100 songs in a two-year period with some of them landing on this album. The album received mixed reviews and, commercially, has been their best-selling album hitting #13 in the UK and #76 in the US. The self-titled "Fisherman's Blues" opens the album. Acoustic guitar and a soaring violin carrying the melody. The mandolin comes in and there's an overlayering of the melody. Vocalist Mike Scott is not stingy with the "Woahs." It's a song he wrote on a plane ride back to London from NYC after a failed meeting with his-then manager where he knew his future was going to change. "We Will Not Be Lovers" gets a great groove going with the drums, bass and violin. The mandolin enters and there's the dueling fiddle-mandolin thing going on once again. A song that at seven minutes seems too short; this could have gone forever. Continuing in that majestic style is "World Party." The addition of a piano and a bigger part for the electric guitar. More in the rock vein. Karl Wallinger was involved in the writing and he took the name for his band. The second and final released single is "And a Bang on the Ear." A violin led melody with a rock beat. There's an organ and a more traditional folk feel to this one. Scott goes through past romances where he would still gives a bang on the ear (peck on the cheek). "The Stolen Child" uses lyrics from W.B. Yeats. Acoustic guitar, violin and, yes, a flute. Scott is singing and traditional Irish vocalist Tomás Mac Eoin speaks his part. It's been awhile since I heard and this put me in a good mood. Rock, folk, country, traditional and even two waltzes. It has two of their best soaring songs matching every bit of any previous grandiose songs they had. The dueling violin-mandolin show is also a highlight. For whatever reason, I have not listened to Waterboys' music past this album. I might also be a bigger fan of their previous album "This is the Sea" but this is a very good album and definitely worth repeated listens.
this one is a really interesting one
hello what
The Good: a band which reminds us that we must stay hydrated! The Bad: not a single song that tells us to drink water... The Ugly: I was forced to drink whiskey with a massive hangover as a reward... Earlier this year, on a randomly generated Playlist on the Spotify, I listened for the first time to the title song of this album and fell in live with it. Not being familiar with the band, I went to Wikipedia and that's where I found out about this 1001 album list as, thankfully, it was mentioned that this album is on it... So, today, album 201, is the cause of my little adventure here... I can listen to this album over and over, understanding that it isn't a masterpiece, yet, for me, it is very very special, and thus deserves all the praise I can give. Here's to 5* bumping up the average score of this lovely album
3 sterne
Not a very cohesive album. Some really good songs, some not so great songs.
Bra album i en genre jag gillar. Dock sparsamt med låtar som sticker ut. Hade hellre sett Levellers med Levelling the Land här.
I haven't heard this one in a long time!
Pretty interesting tunes, not something I’ve dabbled in before, but average on the star scale.
I liked this rock and roll album. Wished they leaned more into the traditional irish stuff, but still quite enjoyable.
Enjoyable but irritating that my streaming service offers only the two disc collectors edition, virtually guaranteeing I will never play it again.
At first I wondered if I'd ever heard anything by The Waterboys, but then the opening track made me realize I'd definitely heard them (or at the very least I've heard a rendition of "Fisherman's blues" that sounds almost exactly like their version...). It's kind of all over the place musically, which is sort of intriguing, but also a bit scattered-sounding; I do like how there's a bit of The Pogues going on at times in this album, though, and they do a very nice cover of Van Morrison's "Sweet thing". I also like it that "And a bang on the ear" failed to chart in part because everyone from outside Ireland didn't know what that phrase meant (myself included until I read the Wikipedia entry). I'm not sure that Yeats would necessarily have enjoyed their rendition of "The stolen child", sadly. (I certainly didn't, and it made me think of more painful aspects of ELP or Spinal Tap.) Based on this album, it seems like The Waterboys would have fit right in at the 1986 Self-Aid charity concert, but sadly didn't. Overall it's not the most exciting collection of songs, and since we don't get any other Waterboys albums in this collection (not that I'm complaining), and I don't know their music well or at all, it's hard to get a sense of how radical a departure this album was from previous albums. OK but not great I'd say.
Well-done folksy rock with a traditional Irish or Scottish tone at times, as well as a bit of Dylan and the Band, and there are moments of Dire Straits early on though the album creeps toward traditional folk towards the end. I like the way the album winds through its songs and would listen again.
I had a CD of this back in the day. I really like the song writing and the production that allows it to sway effortlessly between eighties bombast and folky intimacy. A tour de force.
Another motherf****ing irish folk album. And why there's a segment of "blackbird" with an improvised melody at the end of the song? As a ex-beatles fan, this really makes me confused. But the title track is great, and beautiful moments occasionally occur. 3/5
first listen lot of variety and it's surprising how many moments here feel like genuine americana
This is a new one for me. They seem to have a few influences so it made for an interesting listen, it's good and a few of the songs will go into the rotation.
Not my style, Everything sounded great but I didn't like it
I really liked this to start but it eventually started sounding the same as I got further into the album
Not sure what to say about this but I didn’t like it and it was far too long.
Pretty decent.
This website has been serving me a lot of great music lately, but this album kind of gets lost in the shuffle. It’s good, but not at all memorable.
Favourite track: When Ye Go Away.
Nice and proper Irish and Scotch folk music.
Life is often about expectations, and I had none for this album. But I was impressed. Hard to believe this was a controversial change for them -- terrific musicianship and several different types of songs. Like a better "Mumford and Sons."
strangely hypnotic
I can see listening to this a lot. Very enjoyable.
This is music for the pub, on its own it’s rather hokey.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would
Always liked this album though I haven't listened to it in years.
Overall I really enjoyed this. The Celtic folk vibes mixed with rock are awesome. I see how this group probably influenced modern bands like Flogging Molly. I also like groups like this that connect with their original roots but expand to more modern sounds. I will only give them a 4 because some songs just went a little to long, like We Will Not be Lovers or And a Bang on the Ear. They are really cool songs overall but I didn't need it to be over 5 or 6 minutes.
Love their sound! They would be so fun to see live. The blend of rock and country, Irish and Scottish...it all just works. And there's something about Irish music that makes me feel warm and fuzzy in general. There are so many great songs, hard to pick a favorite. Meet Me at the Station is awesome. World Party is super fun. The Stolen Child is really beautiful. LOVE the sax in You in the Sky. Easy 5 for me.
Makes me want to live on a farm
Fiddleheads rise up
Great energy and melodies.
It’s no Millennium Madonna. Had a few enjoyable tracks, nothing too memorable off the first listen.
Beautiful folk. I like the violins. Kurt Wallinger was the keyboardist on the album but he left the band to do more important things, mainly making the Lin’s Bin theme song.
Really enjoyed the first half of the album, in particular the title track. The Van Morrison cover was also a very nice inclusion. The second half didn’t hold my attention as well. 3.5/5
Irische Musik wunderbar gespielt. Nur zu lang. Weniger ist oft mahr. Aber trotzdem gut.
ersti 3 songs sind okay? nöd meh. es isch immer chli s glich mit fiddle wo umefiddlet und sehr viel sache passiered aber ich bin halt nöd schott. world party findi etz no easy sweet thing isch sehr cool, sie mached afoch blackbird plötzlich. okay. Has anybody here seen hank findi sehr geil. irgendwie hetts öppis au wennis zum teil chli arsch find das album. mega riesigi ahsprüch, fast z viel instrument aber no nice zum teil. when will we be married isch ultra cool. es het es CP80 ich lieb wenns ihm het.
jöö ok finds bis jz cute sis huuuuuuisch iwie mega? fisherman's blues würkli na cool, de bass hebt au alles chli zemme han bis jz vill meh freud als ich denkt hett we will not be lovers het mega e schöni gitarre im hindergrund und jz ischs sochli chaotisch, au wenn d giige (oder??) immer chli d melodie biiphaltet strange boats isch chli ruhiger, find d giige extrem schön, sie isch echli weniger ghezt BASS wtf wiso isch das so guet bi sweet thing findi d drums super, wo chli nahhinket de schluss isch aber chli ahstrengend gsi de waltzer isch funny wemmers sich chli inere spelunke vorstellt, suscht aber nüt unglaublichs bang on the ear findi nöd guet und vill z eindimensional für es 9 minütigs stuck hank isch au nüt speziells funny dass sie jz chli s R rolled when will we be married isch na vill meh Folk für mich als de rest bis jz, nüt wo mier mega gfalle het aber kinda fun? hmm leider hets jz chli abgno, alles ischmer jz schochli zu folkig stolen child het aber na en coole ahfang, au d flöte hmmmm iwie hanis sehr gern, glichzitig findi die erzählerstimm recht müehsam hahahah ui nei wos denn sowie im "duett" singet und "verzelled" findis seeehr cheesy hmm jaa aso die erste 5, 6 lieder hani echt megaaa gfunde, e glungni mischig usem folkige und sochli rock? aber nachane ischsmer doch hüfig zu folkig und z lang worde, ich glauub ich gib trz es 4i will ichs ellei cool find, dass sie die "mischig" so natürlich annebracht hend
the audio equivalent of a warm mug of tea and a huge slice of soda bread
I loved this album when it came out but kind of forgot about. Stellar album.
Live for the violin. But that's pretty much the only thing this album has to offer. Not good, definitely very repetitive.
1988, and there was so much new sorts of music - Rap, Garage, House, Nu-Metal. So, a Celtic-Rocky-Folky album wasn't really going to do much. Except it did. The Waterboys created one of the best albums of the year. Fisherman's Blues so much more that the other Irish juggernaut- U2's Rattle and Hum just seemed so phoney in comparison. In hindsight, the album (particularly the Collector's Edition) would benefit from some editing, but it's well worth a listen.
## In-Depth Review of *Fisherman's Blues* by The Waterboys Released in 1988, *Fisherman's Blues* marked a significant turning point for The Waterboys, showcasing a departure from their earlier grandiose rock sound to a more organic blend of traditional Irish music, folk, country, and rock. This shift not only altered the band's musical direction but also influenced their lyrical themes and production choices. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the album, focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and overall influence. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Fisherman's Blues* reflect a profound introspection and a longing for simplicity. Mike Scott's songwriting is characterized by vivid imagery and emotional depth. The title track encapsulates this sentiment beautifully: > "I wish I was a fisherman, tumblin’ on the seas / far away from dry land and its bitter memories..." This opening line evokes a sense of freedom and escape, setting the tone for the album. The lyrics often explore themes of love, loss, and nostalgia, blending personal experiences with broader cultural references. Other notable tracks include "And A Bang On The Ear," where Scott recounts past romantic entanglements with a mix of humor and sincerity. The song's structure allows for a narrative that feels both intimate and relatable. In contrast, "The Stolen Child" adapts a poem by W.B. Yeats, showcasing Scott's ability to weave literary elements into his music, further enriching the lyrical landscape of the album. ### ****Music Musically, *Fisherman's Blues* is a rich tapestry of sounds that reflects its diverse influences. The album features: - **Traditional Irish Music**: The incorporation of fiddles and flutes creates an authentic Irish folk sound. Steve Wickham's fiddle work is particularly noteworthy throughout the album. - **Country Influences**: Tracks like "Has Anybody Here Seen Hank?" pay homage to classic country music while maintaining The Waterboys' unique style. - **Rock Elements**: Although the album moves away from the 'big music' sound of earlier works, songs like "We Will Not Be Lovers" still carry an edge with their driving rhythms and electric instrumentation. The production style is notably more stripped down compared to previous albums. Recorded primarily at Spiddal House in Ireland, the sessions emphasized live takes with minimal overdubbing. This approach allowed the musicians to interact organically, capturing the essence of their performances. ### ****Production The production of *Fisherman's Blues* plays a crucial role in its overall feel. Mike Scott and producer John Dunford aimed for an authentic sound that reflected the band's new direction. Key aspects include: - **Organic Sound**: The decision to record live with minimal studio enhancements allowed for a rawness that resonates throughout the album. This choice contrasts sharply with the polished production typical of 1980s rock. - **Instrumentation**: The use of traditional instruments alongside rock staples creates a unique sonic blend that enhances the storytelling aspect of the lyrics. - **Atmospheric Recording Locations**: Recording in Spiddal House infused the music with a sense of place that is palpable in tracks like "When Ye Go Away," which features poignant melodies that evoke Irish landscapes. ### ****Themes Thematically, *Fisherman's Blues* explores several interconnected ideas: - **Nostalgia and Longing**: Many songs reflect a yearning for simpler times or lost loves. This theme resonates deeply in tracks like "Sweet Thing" and "When Ye Go Away." - **Connection to Nature**: The title track embodies a desire to escape into nature, highlighting themes of freedom and tranquility found in natural settings. - **Cultural Identity**: By integrating traditional Irish music and poetry into their work, The Waterboys explore themes of cultural heritage and identity, particularly evident in "The Stolen Child." These themes contribute to an overall sense of introspection and emotional resonance that defines the album. ### ****Influence Upon its release, *Fisherman's Blues* received mixed reviews; however, it has since been recognized as one of The Waterboys' most significant works. Its influence can be seen in several areas: - **Musical Landscape**: The blending of folk traditions with rock paved the way for future artists exploring similar paths. Bands like Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes owe some inspiration to this fusion. - **Celtic Rock Revival**: The album contributed to a resurgence in interest in Celtic rock during the late 1980s and early 1990s. - **Cultural Appreciation**: By embracing traditional Irish music, The Waterboys helped elevate its status within mainstream rock culture. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: *Fisherman's Blues* showcases a successful melding of genres that feels fresh even decades after its release. - **Emotional Depth**: The lyrics are rich with meaning and resonate on multiple levels, making them relatable across generations. - **Authenticity**: The organic production style enhances the listening experience by capturing genuine musical interactions among band members. #### Cons - **Mixed Reception Upon Release**: Some critics were disappointed by the departure from the band’s earlier sound, which may have affected initial sales. - **Pacing Issues**: Certain tracks may feel slower or less dynamic compared to more upbeat songs from previous albums, which could alienate some listeners seeking high-energy rock. - **Niche Appeal**: While beloved by many fans, the album's folk-oriented sound may not appeal to all rock enthusiasts who prefer more traditional rock formats. ### Conclusion In summary, *Fisherman's Blues* stands as a landmark album for The Waterboys, representing both a personal journey for Mike Scott and a broader exploration of musical traditions. Its lyrical richness combined with innovative musical arrangements has secured its place as one of the band's most celebrated works. Despite initial mixed reviews, its enduring influence on both fans and musicians alike underscores its significance in the evolution of alternative rock music.
Thoughts before listening: 80s pop rock band that mixes in Irish folk music sounds. I really like the title track to this album, but I don't think I have listened to the rest of it before. Review: I really like this album. These are anthemic pop rock songs that have a certain organic sound that really differentiates them from their 80s rock peers. Perhaps the utilization of traditional folk instrumentation could be interpreted as gimmicky, but I think it adds an element of authenticity missing from the more synth driven sounds of that era. The title track is a banger, but there are quite a few other songs here that I am enjoying. "We Will Not Be Lovers", "Sweet Thing", and "And a Bang on the Ear" are my favorites. 4-star album for me.
J’entends le violon, j’entends le plaisir convoqué, mais me laisse parfaitement indifférente
3.5★. Hey, why does Paul McCartney have writing credit on this song? (Sweet Thing) *Dude starts singing Blackbird out of nowhere* Oh. Fisherman's Blues and When Will We Be Married slap. Something about We Will Not Be Lovers just hits deeply (it's probably my favorite song of the bunch). And The Stolen Child is powerfully suggestive and elusive.
Not keen. Too earnest.
This being my first time listening to the Waterboys, I genuinely enjoyed elements of their music, notably the big, magnificent Celtic sound. As other reviewers noted, it almost feels like a Scottish crossover between Bob Dylan and DMB. I'll add that the repetitiveness of the vox and instrumentals at times reminds me a bit of the style of The War on Drugs. However, this American can only take so much big magnificent Celtic music at one time, and being a 90+ minute double album I fear this record gives the listener too much of a good thing. I'll note that my headphones died about halfway through the first side, and I used that as a worthy enough excuse to say "OK I think that's enough of that, moving on with my day"
for some reason I love his voice (in a so bad it's good way?) and it fits their vibe perfectly
I don't really like folk rock. If you like it that's coo Will I listen to again: 0%
Well-crafted and produced music, in summary this album is cool folk rock! I love the Waterboys. My only critic is the album is very long with little variation. Favourite song: Fisherman’s blues is a great song Least favourite: The stolen child. Album artwork: Cool cover
Odd choice. The album was not very successful in my country. It didn't chart at all, neither did any of the singles. I only knew one of their songs, Whole Of The Moon, and it's from a different album. I don't like that song very much. When I heard the first song of this album, I thought it wouldn't be for me. But it was. The bonus tracks are too much though. Favorite song: when will we be married.
I love the original sound of the Waterboys; they are like Mumford & Sons authentic old uncle. Take me to a pub somewhere with salty sea air and frothy Guinness and this band playing in the corner all night.
I like this, really surprised. but i find irish music soothing and the singer has a pretty easy and calm singing voice. Will i remember it next week, no. if i had listen to this growing up i would probably remember a couple of songs here (bang on the ear was definitely one that was very catchy) A very well crafted album but a bit too long.
Perus soittatelua
The first really long album I've run into, with multiple 6+ minute songs which were definitely the worst part. The shorter songs with more energy were a lot better tbh. 6/10
A fine album but so something didn't quite hit for me. The opening track is amazing - love it. The rest of the album failed to live up to it in my opinion. And A Bang On The Ear is beautiful. Unfortunately it's a 2*. Not because it's bad in anyway, just that I can think of other albums I would rather see in this list.
This album frustrates me. I honestly thought this was going to be mid and it both was and wasn’t. When The Waterboys fuse their Irish folk with some modern (for the 80’s) sound, its works surprisingly well. I particularly loved World Party and We Will Not Be Lovers for this. But in the second half of the album, it veers too much into traditional and loses its appeal. Except for The Stolen Child, that was fucking awesome. There are also some other things too that knock it down. And A Bang To The Ear is way too long and Sweet Thing has this weird segment where they inject Blackbird by the Beatles in it. It’s really awkward. I really wanted to love this, since I rated 3 on three albums in a row. I see it as a 3.5, but that’s still a fourth 3. Damn. Favorite track: World Party Other hits: We Will Not Be Lovers, The Stolen Child, Strange Boat
pas mon style
Nice
folk rock and punk… a mix that i always enjoy. solid album.
First song hit and I was pleasantly surprised but it didn’t last too long. Not bad, though.
t the same time U2 was becoming the world’s biggest band, the Waterboys were creating music in a similar vein, so I am not sure why they didn’t find much of an audience in America. In any event I’ll be adding them to my regular rotation. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-fishermans-blues-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Interesting mix of blues, Irish folk, and some jam band-ish stuff. Some good, some meh. Not my fave.
I’ve been doing this project for over two years. Eight hundred and twenty-two days, to be exact. It has been a looong time since I had a record from the list that I was unfamiliar with that made me say “you’re goddamn right I needed to hear this record before I die”. The instrumentation on this record…phenomenal. It’s varied and rich; atmospheric, yet grounded at the same time. The Waterboys play these songs with tangible intensity and emotion. They are absolutely on fire here and it’s a contagious type of energy. Whatever you might think the descriptor of their sound on this page - “a mixture of traditional Irish music, traditional Scottish music, country music, and rock and roll” - might sound like, trust me, it’s not enough to prepare you for the scope of what it actually is. Fuck me, what great record.
Wasn't bad, wouldn't listen to it if I had the choice
The “diddly-diddly-dee” vibes at the start of this album were great, but it got a little bit too “hurdy-gurdy-gurdy” towards the end. I did not like “When Will We Be Married” or “The Stolen Child”.
I came in with no expectations at all and was blown away by the first few songs. I specially liked the instrumentation, the fiddle is great. The second half didn't interest me as much, but it was still good. Favorites: "Fisherman's Blues", "We Will Not Be Lovers", "World Party", "When Will We Be Married"
Another one with the curse of the streaming-services-special-edition-re-release. How long was the original record? Can't we just listen to that? An hour and 3/4 of anything is liable to get boring. That said, sounds like there's some decent tracks on here. It doesn't quite float my folk boat like some bands can. And it's a bit parochial seen through a rock lens. But it's likeable enough. Coward's score from me: a 3.
violin really adds to each song.
Pretty good.
This album is tight, enjoyable, and pleasant enough, but after the first few tracks it lost its magic and felt more mediocre. I am sure that this has more to do with me that with the Waterboys, but regardless,I probably won't revisit often if art all.
This was nice, very raw Irish folk inflected rock tunes - or rock inflected Irish folk tunes. The front half was stronger than the back half for me, the 7 minute chaotic fiddle jam "We Will Not Be Lovers" was a highlight.
I was really into this album at first, but it dragged as it went on.
Quite long and a bit bland - 2.6
not what I was expecting at all. we will not be lovers & sweet thing both phenomenal tracks.
I thought this was pretty good all around. I enjoyed the music, lyrics, style, and feel of this album. Something I will listen to again.
unfortunately i don’t live in a farming video game and im not an english fisherman so this really didn’t do anything for me. probably the worst an album can be without being a 1 star
Didn't do anything special for me. Didn't make it through the first disc.
This has to be in that quirky position of an album that I know backwards but don't own. Quite brilliant, and aged far better than their 'Big Music' era IMHO. On the relisten standout tracks are Strange Boat and The Stolen Child, When Ye Go Away joining the title track and Bang On The Ear.
Too damn long
a really cool folk-rock album. it starts off with a bang with the title track, which i knew before listening to this album. the rest of the album is really interesting and pretty good, but there's not a whole lot here that meets the title track for me, at least after this listen. just a really solid, enjoyable, evocative folk record.
Definitely worth another listen.
Good old Irish style balladry and I enjoyed it plenty. I was expecting pop!
Another most likely biased review due to this being a Scottish band, but I really enjoyed this based on disc1 alone. I don’t think disk 2 was in the orginal album so I’ll just ignore it and save my usual moan about it being too long. Love the upbeat vibe with this one, just a great feel good album. Added to my frequent rotation.
more mid van morrison.
Now I want to go out and learn how to play the fiddle! It’s never sounded as cool as it does on Fisherman’s Blues This album is a brand new surprise. I’m shocked that this is so high-energy and so punk, but I think that’s part of its beauty, and its ethos. Sure, the interludes are a bit too dry, and there’s definitely some jam-band qualities here where I maybe didn’t need every song to be almost 10-minutes long, but the songs themselves are so great, so anthemic, and so seeped in culture. There’s really nothing about this record that I hate. I feel like I need to know more about this scene to know if Fisherman’s Blues is an essential listen, but I know for sure that it’s a great listen, and that’s all that matters to me.
Disk 1 is stronger than disk 2. Had they stopped at 1, I probably would have given this a five. Unfortunately, this drags post intermission in a way that could only benefit from editing. The Waterboys' embrace of their local sonic tradition is nothing but a positive for me. They are very good at the Irish rock sound, and I want more of it. Disk 1 is delightful ear-candy.