The Waterboys – Good Luck, Seeker

Good Luck, Seeker by The Waterboys is an interesting and thoughtfully crafted record, full of diverse influences but guided firmly by the band’s rock roots. An asymmetric structure splits the album into two distinct parts that offer very different experiences. The first half delivers a mesh of musical eras and genres, capitalising on modern production in order to echo the sounds of nostalgia. The second half is bound by nature, folkloric in its storytelling.

The record opens with the symphonic groove of The Soul Singer. This explosive song acts as a funky time machine that sends you back to 1950s jazz and soul, wrapped in 1970s instrumental and vocal composition. Dennis Hopper is a colourful psychedelic trip which evokes a dream-like haze, with cool and smooth delivery. The last standout track from this half of the album is Why Should I Love You. It begins with soft keyboard synths, the whisper-like vocals threaded through the verses, which are juxtaposed against an upbeat and jolly chorus. In this particular number, the instrumentals really shine through, enhanced by seamless production that doesn’t overpower.

The big shift in tone occurs with My Wanderings in the Weary Land. It’s preachy and prophetic, something that remains a constant in the songs that follow. The single has a Christian rock edge; the typical spoken vocals are prominent here, adding to the sermon-like feel. The length of the actual track is reminiscent of homilies during mass. Good Luck, Seeker is a mystic folk number that threads along the same line. The haunting production blends well with the upbeat and tense tone. As the title track, it encompasses the themes of the latter half of the record – such as mysteries, divine secrets and religious references – while still carrying on the musical stylings of the first half.

The journey ends with The Land of Sunset; it’s quiet and magical. Listening to this record feels like uncovering long-lost music, whether it’s the rediscovery of soundscapes from a time left behind, or the call of ancient lessons wrapped in religious and nature-filled musings.

Mae Trumata

Good Luck, Seeker is released on 21^st August 2020. For further information or to order the album visit The Waterboys’ website here.

Watch the video for The Soul Singer here: