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a variance in his music from one song to the next but this is exactly what Scott manages to do. Here we are treated to the art of "less is more" and "Iona" is a great example of the art. A barely audible acoustic guitar picks out a distant rhythm behind a set of moving and beautiful descriptive words and the only change in dynamic is achieved through a gradually rising distorted electric guitar that provides an otherworldly wash of sound in the background.

Although the Waterboys were always regarded as an Irish band, due to being based there, Scott is a refugee from the land that shares his name and he pays homage to his old hometown in "Edinburgh Castle" a straightforward acoustic busker style ballad. Dublin gets it own recognition in "City Full of Ghosts", a personal reflection of the musical exploits of times gone by with specific references to the Waterboys.

Dublin is a city full of humour
Dublin is a city full of wit
Dublin is a city full of buskers
playing old Waterboys hits
but what it means to me the most -
Dublin is a city full of ghosts

The ghost of a fiddle
the ghost of a sax
the ghost of a sound that ain't never coming back
the ghost of a friendship, curdled and sour
the ghost of a time when I still had the power

There is a Bob Dylan feel to some of the numbers, especially obvious when Scott adds the harmonica to the proceedings, though in my opinion here we are treated to better songs and a much better voice. "What Do You Want Me To Do?" is the most obvious of these and highlights also Scotts spiritual quest, which has always been present in his songs, but here, is expressed in no uncertain terms. The last track on the album "Building The City of Light" for me is the highlight of the album. It could have appeared on the Waterboys "This Is The Sea" album and contains that unbridled power that they managed to create through many layers of acoustic instruments and reminds you what Scott is capable of, even when he is working without a backing band.

Although there are big moments on the album, the aforementioned "Building The City of Light" and "I know She's In The Building" but mainly the songs are simpler affairs though they do move between upbeat jaunts and straighter narratives to provide variation. "Bring 'Em All In" exposes the heart of the Waterboys, shows you the source of their song writing, and even in spite of having no band to support, or possibly because of, Scotts solo songs are a worthy addition to anyone's collection.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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