This Is the Sea

by The Waterboys

Type: Album
Released: 16 September 1985
Label: Ensign, Island, Chrysalis
Country: United Kingdom
Length: 1:43:41
Community rating: 4.75/5 from 7 ratings

Artists on this release: Karl Wallinger, Anthony Thistlethwaite, Steve Wickham, Mike Scott

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Considered the final, fully realized expression of The Waterboys' "Big Music" period, 'This Is the Sea' merges Mike Scott's ambitious, poetic songwriting with a grand, layered production influenced by artists like The Velvet Underground and Steve Reich. The album explores themes of spirituality, politics, and renewal, notably on its title track and the band's signature hit, "The Whole of the Moon." The recording marks a pivotal moment, showcasing the significant multi-instrumental contributions of Karl Wallinger for the last time and introducing Steve Wickham's violin, solidifying the record as the definitive work of the group's early, epic rock sound.

Genres

Big Music

Descriptors: expansive, literary, grandiose, spirituality, sweeping, guitars, folk, orchestral, melodic, storytelling

Tracklist

Credits

Mike Scott - vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano, percussion, synthesiser, drum machine programming, bells and effects, producer, audio production, composer, effects, feedback, performer, introduction, arranged by, mixed by, bells, brass, voices, humming, bellzouki, voice bag, bass drone, tambourine, fuzz guitar, synthesizer bass, guitar (acoustic), guitar (electric), vocals (background), guitar (12 string acoustic), guitar (12 string electric), written-by, Guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocal
Anthony Thistlethwaite - saxophone, double bass, bass guitar, mandolin, sax (baritone), bass, brass, drums, Saxophone, Double Bass
Karl Wallinger - bass synth, piano, organ, keyboard programming, synthesiser, celeste, percussion, backing vocals, producer, keyboards, guitar (bass), bass, brass, drums, violin, cymbals, humming, maracas, marimba, trumpet, tambourine, keyboard bass, guitar (synthesizer), synthesizer harmonica, Bass Synthesizer, Synthesizer, Background Vocals Vocal, Percussion, Producer
Steve Wickham - violin, fiddle
Marek Lipski - violin
Roddy Lorimer - trumpet, background vocals, brass, piccolo, Trumpet
Stewart Bartlett - french horn
Kevin Wilkinson - bass guitar, drums
Martin Swain - bass guitar
Chris Whitten - drums, cymbals, snare drum, Drums (drum Set)
Pete Thomas - snare drum
Martin Ditcham - percussion, Percussion
Max Edie - background vocals, Background Vocals Vocal
Lu Edmonds - bass
Matthew Seligman - guitar (bass), bass
Adrian Johnston - piano
Mick Glossop - producer, engineer, audio production, mixing, Mix, Producer
John Brand - producer, engineer
Barry Clempson - engineer
Felix Kendall - engineer
Graham Dickson - engineer, mixing
Keith Andrews - engineer
Nigel Gilroy - engineer
Lynn Goldsmith - front cover photography, cover photo
Tim Chacksfield - project co-ordinator
Stephanie Nash - sleeve design 1985
Alex Creedy - design, layout
Hilary Watson - illustration [crest], artwork [shield drawn by]
William Strutt - painting
Patrick Durand - photography by
Philippe Herriau - photography by
Robert Vavra - photography by
Shereen Hamilton - photography by
Steven Gullick - photography by
Tim Platt - photography by, photography by [back cover]
Ben Kape - engineer [assistant]
Chris Mason - engineer [assistant]
Martin White (2) - engineer [assistant]
Paul Gomersall - engineer [assistant]
Phil Legg - engineer [assistant]
Gary Kurfirst - management
Delahaye - Percussion