"Universal Hall" A Light for the World

Released on Puck Records.
Available now in Ireland and from 9th June 2003 in the UK and Europe.

"Send out from this wooden frame a beacon made of holy flame..."

So implores the opening track of the Waterboys' latest studio album, "Universal Hall", and in doing so the scene is set for a 58 minute musical journey that seems to last only half that time, such is the extent to which the listener is captivated and sucked into the music on offer.

After a blistering opening track, "The Christ in You" is a much more subdued affair... acoustic guitar overlaid with a lilting violin (courtesy of long-time Waterboy Steve Wickham) as singer Mike Scott examines the multiple dimensions of true love. Track three, "In Silent Fellowship" is almost meditational with a distinctly tribal drumbeat (long time Waterboys fans may draw parallels with the end of "The Return of Pan"), fading into the background as dreams and images fly around the listener's head. Next, another acoustic love song "Every Breath is Yours" which perfectly displays the keyboard skills of Richard Naiff, well known to those who have seen the band on tour over the last three years and then, one of the outstanding tracks of the album the beautiful and haunting "Peace of Iona", the poetic vocals almost whispered, in doing so creating an unmatched intensity.

Well, I say unmatched. The next "Ain't no words..", another piano and guitar ballad, is both intense and dream-like at the same time. "Seek the Light", an electronic trance interlude, ushers in "I've lived here before", a Scottish ballad clearly inspired by such classics as "She moves through the Fair".

"Always dancing, never getting tired" is another personal favourate, a real feelgood song with chanted verses and a driving chorus. "Dance at the Crossroads", Steve Wickham's sole chance to play some traditional Irish folk, takes the mind back 15 years to the band's Irish period before the two final tracks, "EBOL" and "Universal Hall" return to the beauty and acoustic simplicity of earlier songs. The title track, in particular, is a majestic display of Mike's inspired lyrical skill, Richard's "touch" on the piano and Steve's beautiful lilting violin style but by this time it hardly matters....

The album draws the listener in, it captivates, it inspires and most importantly it leaves one relaxed and ready for all life can throw. A healing album, and one that should be in everyone's collection.

Thoroughly recommended. 10/10