A Pagan Place
The Waterboys · 2002
74 min · 14 tracks · folk rock
A rich tapestry of Celtic-infused rock interwoven with poetic lyrics and expansive instrumentation that evokes both nostalgia and longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Big Music — This track encapsulates the album's grand soundscape and thematic exploration of spirituality and connection to place, showcasing the band's signature blend of rock and folk elements.
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Red Army Blues — An evocative narrative song that explores themes of loss and history, illustrating the band's ability to weave storytelling into their music while maintaining an anthemic quality.
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Some of My Best Friends Are Trains — This track features whimsical lyrics paired with a melodic structure that highlights the band's folk influences, making it a memorable moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and rich instrumentation, contributing to its distinct sound within the genre.
What we noticed
- Several tracks employ a call-and-response vocal style, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
- The title track is notably longer than most, allowing for an extended instrumental section that builds gradually.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- poignant storytelling with depth
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- reflective moments for solitude
- cathartic waves of longing
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their unique sound and gained wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 1984, A Pagan Place was the Waterboys' second album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, the band was solidifying its unique sound, blending folk rock with Celtic influences, which set them apart in the music landscape of the 1980s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pogues· Fairport Convention· Clannad
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Church Not Made With Hands 6:02
- 2 All the Things She Gave Me (unedited) 5:32
- 3 The Thrill Is Gone (unedited) 5:30
- 4 Rags 5:20
- 5 Some of My Best Friends Are Trains 6:01
- 6 Somebody Might Wave Back (version 2) 2:43
- 7 The Big Music 4:46
- 8 Red Army Blues 8:03
- 9 A Pagan Place 5:14
- 10 The Late Train to Heaven (Rockfield mix) 3:30
- 11 Love That Kills (instrumental) 6:20
- 12 The Madness Is Here Again 3:59
- 13 Cathy 2:35
- 14 Down Through the Dark Streets 9:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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