MIKE SCOTT ON THE NEW SONGS FROM OUT OF ALL THIS BLUE
Mike writes:
“Many of these songs were recorded as I wrote them. Usually I write a song, demo it, play it live a few times, then get around to recording it some passage of time after the initial inspiration hit. There are benefits to working like this because a song grows through the processes of demoing and live performance. But nothing ever quite beats the spirit of that first blast of magic that happens when a song is landing, when its downloading itself into the mind and emotions of the writer during composition. So on this record, because I recorded as I wrote, and because even on songs where I developed the instrumentation and arrangement later I kept the original vocals, you're hearing that initial spark, the true spirit of each song. Morning Came Too Soon, Love Walks In, New York, Man What A Woman, Rokudenashiko, Didn't We Walk On Water, Kinky's History Lesson, Monument, Girl In The Window Chair, Mr Charisma - all those vocals are the day or hour I wrote the lyric.”
While the album's an enjoyable listen, I myself have the impression that some songs seem "unfinished" (or not "worked out" enough, unlike previous Waterboys records), almost like "demos" or "sketches". My opinion might still change, but right now I see this as one of the weaker Waterboys releases...