Mike Scott may sound like a new name to many, but he has been around for quite some time, leading the Waterboys for more than 10 years. He dissolved the band in '93 and relocated from Manhattan to Scotland. His journeys through the world, finally having found the right place, are a major topic in the lyrics of his first solo album Bring 'Em All In, mainly in the key track "Long Way To The Light" (with the great line "but if you wanna give God a laugh, tell him your plans").
This is a very personal, intimate and passionate record, not only in the poetic lyrics, but also from the musical point of view. He plays all instruments himself, and recorded it on simple equipment. The production is almost too low-fi, with partly audible tape noise, but it ensures that the music goes straight to the heart. The main elements are his vocals and the acoustic guitar, spiced with some keyboards and electric guitars. Not only the occasional harmonica revokes memories of Bob Dylan, if you imagine Dylan having a much better voice and the energy that he lost long ago. And what a fine songwriter Mike Scott is! The spectrum goes from "She Is So Beautiful", a classic ballad that belongs on every list of greatest love songs, to the upbeat, groovy "Building The City Of Light".
Mike Scott shows once more that folky singer/songwriters are not a thing of the past. Good music is not a question of following current trends; this album has the quality that it takes to stand the test of time. And if you are more into harder stuff, it still makes a wonderful Christmas present for your beloved ones.
