Description
The Waterboys - Out Of All This Blue – Double vinyl record
Released on September 8, 2017, The Waterboys’ Out of All This Blue is an ambitious, double-album project that showcases Mike Scott’s songwriting versatility and the band’s evolving sound. Blending elements of pop, soul, funk, and hip-hop with their signature folk-rock style, the album explores themes of love, joy, heartache, and the magic of everyday life. This eclectic, 34-track release is both musically adventurous and deeply personal, marking a new chapter for The Waterboys as they experiment with fresh sounds and narrative songwriting.
Known for iconic albums like This Is the Sea (1985) and Fisherman’s Blues (1988), The Waterboys have continually reinvented themselves over the decades. With Out of All This Blue, Scott dives headfirst into a genre-blending world, where playful experimentation and deeply personal lyrics come together to create an album that is as joyful as it is introspective.
Out of All This Blue is The Waterboys’ 12th studio album and their first double album, which Mike Scott also produced. The album was largely influenced by Scott’s move to Tokyo and his relationship with his Japanese wife, Megumi Igarashi, whose presence looms large across the album’s themes of love and personal growth. The album is a departure from The Waterboys’ earlier, more folk-driven sound, embracing elements of pop, soul, funk, and even a touch of hip-hop.
The creative freedom that Scott found while working on Out of All This Blue led to its eclectic sound, where traditional instrumentation like fiddles and acoustic guitars are mixed with electronic beats and synths. The result is an album that breaks boundaries and offers listeners a diverse sonic landscape, reflecting Scott’s continuing evolution as an artist.
One of the most defining characteristics of Out of All This Blue is its wide-ranging sound. Over the course of 34 tracks, Scott and The Waterboys incorporate various genres, from traditional folk-rock to upbeat soul and funk, with sprinkles of electronica and hip-hop influences.
The album opens with the infectious ‘Do We Choose Who We Love,’ a funky, soulful track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Songs like ‘Nashville, Tennessee’ and ‘The Connemara Fox’ also lean heavily on soul and funk grooves, with smooth rhythms and catchy melodies.
Scott experiments with a more electronic sound throughout the album, particularly on tracks like ‘If I Was Your Boyfriend,’ which features electronic beats and synthesizers, a marked departure from The Waterboys’ more organic folk-rock roots. ‘Love Walks In’ and ‘The Girl in the Window Chair’ also highlight Scott’s embrace of pop elements, with their breezy melodies and polished production.
Despite its stylistic diversity, Out of All This Blue retains The Waterboys’ core folk-rock identity on many tracks. Songs like ‘The Hammerhead Bar’ and ‘Morning Came Too Soon’ feature the band’s signature blend of acoustic instrumentation, storytelling, and lyrical introspection, echoing their classic sound.
Scott introduces some surprising hip-hop influences on tracks like ‘Monument’ and ‘Yamaben’, which feature rhythmic spoken-word sections. While these elements are subtle, they add a new dimension to the album’s eclectic sound, showcasing Scott’s willingness to push the boundaries of The Waterboys’ traditional sound.
Lyrically, Out of All This Blue is deeply personal, with Scott often reflecting on love and the transformative power of relationships. His marriage to Igarashi is a recurring theme throughout the album, with many songs celebrating love’s ability to inspire and uplift. The album also touches on themes of creativity, personal growth, and life’s simple pleasures, with Scott’s poetic lyricism painting vivid pictures of life’s highs and lows.
Much of the album is dedicated to exploring love in its various forms, from the passionate to the playful. Tracks like ‘If I Was Your Boyfriend’ and ‘Love Walks In’ express the excitement and sweetness of new love, while ‘Kinky’s History Lesson’ and ‘Didn’t We Walk on Water’ reflect on love’s enduring power over time.
Scott’s reflections on his own personal journey are scattered throughout the album, particularly in songs like ‘Morning Came Too Soon’ and ‘The Girl in the Window Chair.’ These tracks touch on themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the ways in which love and creativity intersect.
While much of the album is celebratory, Out of All This Blue doesn’t shy away from life’s more difficult moments. ‘Nashville, Tennessee’ reflects on life’s unexpected twists, while ‘Skyclad Lady’ and ‘The Elegant Companion’ offer moments of introspection amid the album’s more upbeat tracks.
Notable Tracks
‘Do We Choose Who We Love’: This funky, soulful opener sets the tone for the album with its catchy chorus and groovy rhythm. The song’s upbeat energy and playful lyrics make it one of the standout tracks on the album.
‘If I Was Your Boyfriend’: A pop-infused track with electronic beats, this song showcases Scott’s willingness to experiment with modern production techniques while maintaining his signature storytelling style. It’s a playful, lighthearted song about love and desire.
‘The Connemara Fox’: A nod to The Waterboys’ folk-rock roots, this track is filled with energetic fiddles and an infectious rhythm. It’s a joyous celebration of Irish folk traditions, mixed with Scott’s love for storytelling.
‘Love Walks In’: With its breezy melody and tender lyrics, ‘Love Walks In’ captures the uplifting power of love. Scott’s vocals are gentle and reflective, making this track one of the album’s most heartfelt moments.
‘Yamaben’: This track introduces subtle hip-hop influences, with Scott delivering spoken-word verses over a laid-back groove. The song’s rhythmic flow and experimental edge make it one of the album’s more unique offerings.
Out of All This Blue received generally favorable reviews, with many critics praising Mike Scott’s adventurous spirit and willingness to experiment with new genres. While some longtime fans of The Waterboys’ folk-rock sound found the album’s eclectic style surprising, others appreciated its wide-ranging scope and ambitious production.
Critics highlighted the album’s joyful energy and personal lyricism, noting that despite its length, Out of All This Blue never loses its sense of fun or passion. The album’s embrace of different musical styles was seen as a natural progression for a band that has constantly evolved throughout its career.
Though it may not be as celebrated as earlier Waterboys classics like This Is the Sea or Fisherman’s Blues, Out of All This Blue stands as a testament to Scott’s continued creativity and his refusal to be confined by any one genre.
Out of All This Blue is an ambitious, genre-blending album that showcases The Waterboys’ ability to evolve while maintaining their core identity. With its mix of pop, soul, funk, and folk-rock, the album offers a little something for everyone, all tied together by Mike Scott’s poetic lyrics and fearless exploration of love, joy, and personal reflection.
For fans of The Waterboys, or anyone who appreciates eclectic, genre-defying music, Out of All This Blue is a rich, rewarding listen. It’s an album that celebrates life’s ups and downs, with music that feels both playful and profound, making it one of the band’s most adventurous releases to date.
Includes Free Download Coupon
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Do We Choose Who We Love
If I Was Your Boyfriend
Santa Fe
If The Answer Is Yeah
Love Walks In
Hiphopstrumental 4 (Scatman)
New York I Love You
The Connemara Fox
The Girl In The Window Chair
Morning Came Too Soon
The Hammerhead Bar
Mister Charisma
Nashville, Tennessee
Man, What A Woman
Kinky’s History Lesson
Monument
Girl In A Kayak
Rokudenashiko
Didn’t We Walk On Water
The Elegant Companion
Skyclad Lady
Yamaben
Payo Payo Chin
