Ever since the Waterboys' glory days in the mid-80s, when the fresh-faced urchins were often to be found busking on Grafton St, Mike Scott has been dedicated to making what he calls Big Music. As he slides gracefully into middle-age, however, it seems that the messianic Scot has finally discovered the virtues of simplicity. Universal Hall is probably the most straightforward, direct album he's ever made - and yet its acoustic purity makes it just as powerful as the churning folk-rock of Fisherman's Blues or This Is The Sea. Many of the songs here are effectively chant-like mantras, with spiritual lyrics that you'll find either hilariously pretentious or deeply profound, depending on your level of cynicism. Musically, meanwhile, the band has been given a real boost by the return of Steve Wickham, whose wild violin playing gives a welcome edge to the album's rather sparse arrangements. Commercially, the Waterboys may be swimming in a smaller pool these days - but artistically, Universal Hall suggests that they're still capable of making quite a splash.
