New Releases: The Waterboys

The Waterboys are that rare band--ok, more like frontman Mike Scott and a revolving cast than an actual band--where I'm far more interested in their recent work than their "classic" early years. The sound of their 80s records, blending Scottish folk and U2/Alarm-styled post-new-wave arena-ready bombast, didn't always click for me (ok, obvious exception with 1985's "The Whole Of The Moon," one of the greatest songs of all time). I mean, it wasn't bad, and I enjoy those albums when I hear them, but I wasn't what you'd call a big fan at the time.

But since sitting out a chunk of the 90s, Scott has been issuing some incredibly varied and weird and downright fascinating post-millennium LPs. The latest--Life, Death And Dennis Hopper--may be the oddest outing yet. As the title and cover make clear, it's a concept album loosely tracking the life and work of the late actor (to whom Scott had previously paid tribute with a track on 2020's Good Luck, Seeker). But it's as much a study of 20th century American history and musical traditions as it is a filmography. The music is largely bathed in Springsteen-styled Americana (and Bruce himself makes a brief appearance, as do Steve Earle and Fiona Apple), but along the way you get some Nick Cave goth darkness, straightforward Stones-indebted rock & roll, a bit of lyrical/musical experimentation a la Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks circa Smile, and a whole lot of gravel-voiced narrative storytelling that reminds me of Roger Waters' Pros & Cons Of Hitchhiking. Plus assorted instrumental & spoken-word interjections to keep that sprawling concept album vibe going.

Is it any good? I mean, on first listen the sheer audacity and ambition and astounding commitment of the whole thing makes it almost hard to tell. A few songs immediately struck me as things I'd enjoy hearing again, particularly the upbeat rockers, though mostly it feels like a record I'll pull out once a year when I have an hour to spare to take it all in. It's bold and a little batshit crazy, like Hopper himself, so I guess on that level it totally works.

"Hopper's On Top":

"Ten Years Gone":

"Live In The Moment, Baby":