Released in 1985, This Is the Sea is The Waterboys’ third album and marks the pinnacle of the band’s first “great” era. Having already moved away from the more conventional post-punk sound of their early releases, Mike Scott here crafts a sound that is expansive, cinematic, and almost mythic.

The opening track, “Don’t Bang the Drum,” immediately sets the mood. The drums, horns, and gradual build-up create a sound that feels more like a ritual than a traditional rock opener. Scott sings with passion and determination, while the production lends the sound an impressive sense of space.

“Medicine Bow” reveals a more introspective and hypnotic side of the band, while “Spirit of ’76” stands as a prime example of The Waterboys’ ability to transform personal and historical references into a musical experience. Guitar, keyboards, and horns blend to form a unified soundscape.

“Old England” holds a special place on the album, a song steeped in melancholy and social commentary. Here, Scott sets aside heroic romanticism to confront the reality of a society in crisis. The music remains majestic, yet beneath the surface lies a palpable sense of disillusionment.

“This Is the Sea,” the album’s closing track, acts almost as a musical catharsis. The phrase “This is the sea” takes on a symbolic resonance: the journey, the experiences, the disappointments, and the quests ultimately culminate in an acceptance of life itself. The composition possesses a grandeur reminiscent more of a folk-rock spiritual experience than of conventional pop-rock.

With Karl Wallinger, Roddy Lorimer, Anthony Thistlethwaite, and the other musicians playing a pivotal role in shaping the sound, The Waterboys created what would later become known as “Big Music”, a vast, open, and emotive sound where rock, folk, soul, jazz, and traditional elements coexist.

The production is impressive without becoming overly polished. The horns play a significant role, the guitars remain powerful, and the keyboards add an almost orchestral dimension.

This Is the Sea is one of those albums where music and poetry do not function in isolation. Mike Scott is less interested in merely writing songs than in creating an entire world. That is why the album feels more like a cohesive work than a collection of singles. And perhaps this is the main reason why, so many decades later, it still sounds so vital. It does not rely on any specific musical trend of its era; its power lies in its grandeur, spirituality, melancholy, and sense of seeking.

This Is the Sea marks the moment The Waterboys transformed their rock sound into something far greater. It is an album that is ambitious without being pompous, poetic without being obscure, and epic without losing its human dimension.

From this outstanding album, we will hear the track “The Pan Within”.

Tracklist

1. Don’t Bang The Drum 6:42
2. The Whole Of The Moon 4:55
3. Spirit 1:44
4. The Pan Within 6:08
5. Medicine Bow 2:44
6. Old England 5:28
7. Be My Enemy 4:15
8. Trumpets 3:34
9. This Is The Sea 6:26