Since critics adopted the title of an early single, The Big Music, to describe their mystic brew, the Waterboys have fluctuated between folk and rock. Their 11th album, recorded in Nashville, finds Mike Scott and co evolving once again, adding southern soul to fiery blues with mixed results. The best tracks, such as The Girl Who Slept for Scotland, are a testament to Scott’s storytelling skills. But, at 56, the singer is still a fan and his songs try too hard to mimic the swagger of the artists (Elvis, Marvin Gaye, Charlie Parker) Modern Blues namechecks.
