Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. In an age when marketing departments rule, Scott has fashioned an album of epic intent that gamely goes its own way.
  2. Blender
    60
    Occasionally overblown... [Aug/Sep 2001, p.132]
  3. This is the recording that the homogenous Dream Harder failed to become. It's ambitious, moody, surreal, and relevant.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    He's forgone the folk-pop and jangly mystical ruminations of his past for heavy synthesizers, overproduced vocals, and esoteric allegories, making for a long, strained trip. [14 Sep 2001, p.94]
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. mightyq
    Feb 17, 2007
    9
    The biggest problem for many people when listening to the Waterboys is their own expectations: they want the 'Boys to sound the same The biggest problem for many people when listening to the Waterboys is their own expectations: they want the 'Boys to sound the same from album to album, but Mike Scott isn't interested in repeating himself. Mike pushed all kinds of boundaries - and buttons - with this album, but if you listen to it for itself and not what you thought it would be, it's a very strong album. I agree with the reviewer who mentioned John Lennon: in this album I hear what the Beatles might have done had they stayed together. Full Review »
  2. LudwigS
    Dec 7, 2003
    9
    Fantastic sounds and a lot of emotions
  3. JimC
    Nov 14, 2003
    9
    Mike Scott at his brilliant best