An intriguing project with notable features...
03 · 04 · 2025
Mike Scott’s Waterboys have been a significant presence in the UK music scene since their first album in 1983, with hits like ‘The Whole of The Moon’ and ‘Fisherman’s Blues,’ alongside a series of successful albums. The band is back with their 16th album, ‘Life, Death and Dennis Hopper,’ a compelling concept album inspired by the life, work, and legend of the iconic American actor Dennis Hopper. This project is collaborative, featuring renowned guest artists such as Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, and Fiona Apple. It showcases Scott’s signature vocals and explores various styles that resonate with Hopper’s diverse career as both an actor and director.
‘Kansas,’ featuring Steve Earle on vocals, seamlessly merges his distinct style with that of The Waterboys, highlighting Hopper's departure from Kansas. This track serves as an excellent opening for the album. ‘Hollywood 55’ is a brief, lively, jazz-influenced piece that humorously depicts Hopper’s beginnings in Hollywood.
‘Live In The Moment Baby’ channels the essence of something akin to Easy Rider (Hopper’s directorial debut). It has a gritty blues vibe, filled with references to Hopper’s contemporaries like Paul Newman (Cool Hand Luke) and James Dean. At 66, Scott’s vocals have matured gracefully, fitting well with the grounded tone of the track. Like many other songs on the album, it may be short in duration, but it leaves a lasting impression, electrifying the listener.
‘Blues For Terry Southern’ showcases a more world-weary side of Scott’s vocals, which complements the bluesy feel. ‘Ten Years Gone,’ featuring Springsteen, opens with strings before transitioning into an almost electro rock piece. Springsteen's influence is evident in the guitar tone, and he adds spoken word lines towards the end of the track, which, while unexpected, is effective. This is one of the more energetic tracks on this sprawling and diverse collection.
Fiona Apple’s contribution on ‘Letter From an Unknown Girlfriend’ is a complete contrast, as it is entirely stripped down to just her vocals and piano. While it aligns with the storytelling aspect, it sonically seems to belong to a different project.
‘Life, Death & Dennis Hopper’ is an ambitious and heartfelt endeavor, with storytelling that profoundly reflects Hopper’s life and career, making it both transportive and captivating. Even after more than 40 years in the industry, Mike Scott proves he still has much to contribute. The album offers a range of styles from jazz to folk and blues, all seemingly fitting the central theme of Dennis Hopper. Not all elements may resonate, but when they do, it is truly mesmerizing.
7/10
Words: Christopher Connor
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Mike Scott’s Waterboys have been a fixture in the UK music scene since the release of their debut album in 1983, featuring hits like 'The Whole of The Moon' and