NAS Walrus Reveal Thread

14th - Saints and Angels - The Waterboys with Sharon Shannon



Stu: I'm trying, but it's just not igniting the mysticism in me. I like The Waterboys, Sharon Shannon was a favorite artist of my mother's years ago and was on regular play in our house for a phase, however this particular song isn't catching me like other offerings from these artists. It's growing on me with listens, I like the way it flows along, I like the sentiment, but one thing predominantly on my mind here is "Do I consider The Waterboys Irish?". Well, I consider Mike Scott to be The Waterboys, as it seems that he has been the only constant member throughout their career and even though there have been Irish musicians in the band, he has been the chief songwriter. Although Mike has his Irish fondnesses, the man is Scottish and from Edinburgh. Unfortunately, even if Whole of the Moon or Glastonbury Song were submitted here, songs which I love, I'd have to rank them low because I don't think Mike is one of 'our' greatest songwriters.

Necro: I do sort of like this, the melody is beautiful. But I just can't get there with it. It was the hardest for me to categorise in this group, as I keep coming back to it and toing and froing on its placement. But for me at the end of the day there's just much better entries, so here is about right I think.

Scores

Stu: 15th
Necro: 11th

Overall: 14th 4 points to

13th: Saints and Sinners - Paddy Casey



Stu: Ah why couldn't it have been any other Paddy Casey tune?? As someone who loved Paddy's 'Amen' album, I eagerly awaited any new material from him. Instantly when I heard Saints and Sinners though, I did not like it. It is a good song, it was the song Paddy needed to write and release at that time in his career and he will likely never go hungry because of it, but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Some of the lyrics are just too derivative for me, even in a fun tune which shouldn't be taken too seriously. I like Paddy though. I remember, apart from his own shows, seeing him support Pearl Jam in the Point in 2006. He was a late addition to the support slot to the surprise of the crowd. There was top craic out of him in the face of a jeering crowd though, he knew his audience and was self-deprecating through-out. Joked early on "Obviously, Eddie (Vedder) landed at my door today and said 'Paddy we would be honoured if you could open for us tonight'" to the laughter of the crowd, then he followed that up with something like "Look If we help each other get through the next 40 minutes, I promise not to play Saints and Sinners" He finished his set with the crowd on his side, applauding him off-stage if not quite asking for "one more tune".

Something like Sweet Suburban Sky would have ranked much higher in this round for me, but I can totally see the attraction in Saints and Sinners, just not for me.

Necro: I'm used to this song coming on as some of the touring bands play it to warm up the crowd in the pub. I actually heard a great version done by a rock band with some much harder melodies. This is all a bit happy for me though. I do like my happy songs, but this one just doesn't really hit the spot for me. It's a bit too plain.

Scores

Stu: 13th
Necro: 13th

Overall: 13th 5 points to

11th: Amie - Damien Rice



Stu: A nice song off a world famous album from a masterful talent. I've listened to 'O' quite a lot over the years, but unfortunately it does have its skippers for me, and Amie tends to be one of them more often than not. It has never stuck with me, even now I am finding it hard to remember the melody of the verses. It's one of those Damien Rice songs which there is no doubting is a good song, but just not for my own regular listening. The Blowers Daughter is similar with me in that respect. First time I heard Cannonball though, it floored me in my tracks, that's kind of what I was looking for here. Likewise, Rootless Tree, Delicate or 9 Crimes would have Top 3ed this round with me. Finally, the strings in Amie are what gives me the most from this track. However, it was a film music composer called David Arnold (credits include Independence Day, Tomorrow Never Dies) who is responsible for these strings. It doesn't take away from Damien Rice's songwriting ability, it just means that the most catching thing for me in Amie was out-sourced. I can't rate Damien Rice outside the Top 10 in a round such as this, but Amie just about gets in.

Incidentally, as the last song on Necro's complied playlist for the round, those strings are a heavenly outro to this round's listening.

Necro: This is a nice croony tune here. I do like Damian Rice, ngl. There are other songs of his I prefer but this is a good'un too.

Scores

Stu: 10th
Necro: 9th

Overall: 11th 7 points to
Neither myself nor Necro ranked this outside our Top 10, but depending on how other songs score and how the combo points add up, this can happen.

That was my safe choice

And my favourite Damien Rice song, I'm happy enough to move up a few places from last time