Karma to Burn
The Waterboys · 2005
75 min · 13 tracks · folk rock
A rich tapestry of Celtic folk and rock, intertwining poetic lyrics with lush instrumentation and a hint of mysticism.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Pan Within — This expansive track combines intricate melodies and profound lyrics, exploring themes of identity and existence, making it emblematic of the album's reflective nature.
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Glastonbury Song — An anthemic celebration of the iconic festival, this song captures the spirit of communal experience while highlighting the band's folk roots.
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The Whole of the Moon — A reimagined classic, this rendition showcases the band's ability to reinterpret their earlier work with a new emotional depth and sonic richness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features rich instrumentation and poetic lyrics but has uneven pacing across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow build in 'Long Way to the Light', gradually layering instrumentation before introducing vocals.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and storytelling, particularly in songs like 'Glastonbury Song' and 'The Pan Within'.
- The final track, 'Come Live With Me', concludes with a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of reflection.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- ethereal landscapes for daydreaming
- poetic storytelling with depth
- immersive journey through sound
- reflective moments of tranquility
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a resurgence for The Waterboys, showcasing continued vitality and musical depth.
- Themes
- Glastonbury festival spirit· Celtic mysticism· identity exploration
- Career context
- By the time 'Karma to Burn' was released in 2005, The Waterboys were in a phase of resurgence after a period of relative quiet following their 1990s output. This album marked their first studio release since 2000's 'A Rock in the Weary Land,' showcasing both a return to form and an evolution in sound as they embraced a more mature, reflective approach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pogues· Fairport Convention· Clannad
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Long Way to the Light 6:40
- 2 Peace of Iona 7:11
- 3 Glastonbury Song 4:36
- 4 Medicine Bow 3:09
- 5 The Pan Within 13:14
- 6 Open 4:13
- 7 The Return of Jimi Hendrix 5:16
- 8 My Dark Side 4:11
- 9 A Song for the Life 4:27
- 10 Bring 'Em All In 4:02
- 11 The Whole of the Moon 5:45
- 12 Fisherman's Blues 5:55
- 13 Come Live With Me 7:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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