Where the Action Is
The Waterboys · 2019
43 min · 10 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant blend of folk rock and Celtic influences, infused with lyrical storytelling and lush instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Where the Action Is — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its infectious energy and call to embrace life's vibrancy, making it a standout anthem for exploration.
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Right Side of Heartbreak (Wrong Side of Love) — This track combines poignant lyrics with a compelling melody, reflecting on themes of love and loss that resonate throughout the album.
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Piper at the Gates of Dawn — Serving as a reflective closer, this lengthy piece weaves together imagery and introspection, showcasing the band's lyrical depth and musical ambition.
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 craftsmanship but remains within familiar folk rock territory.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a steady, driving rhythm and layered instrumentation, establishing an energetic tone.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional Celtic elements, such as fiddles and flutes, blending them seamlessly with folk rock structures.
- The lyrics often tell vivid stories, with recurring themes of love and longing that are explored in a conversational style.
- The final track features a gradual fade-out with a repetitive melodic motif, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.
- 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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6/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- vibrant storytelling with energy
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- celtic melodies for reflective moments
- inviting sing-along choruses
- for road trip vibes
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the artist's evolution while receiving positive reviews, showing vitality.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2019, Where the Action Is marks The Waterboys' twelfth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Out of All This Blue from 2017. This album showcases a continued evolution in their sound while maintaining the band's signature poetic lyricism, solidifying their place in contemporary folk rock.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pogues· Fairport Convention· Clannad
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Where the Action Is 3:24
- 2 London Mick 3:10
- 3 Out of All This Blue 3:38
- 4 Right Side of Heartbreak (Wrong Side of Love) 4:32
- 5 In My Time on Earth 5:43
- 6 Ladbroke Grove Symphony 5:14
- 7 Take Me There I Will Follow You 3:58
- 8 And There's Love 2:34
- 9 Then She Made the Lasses O 2:14
- 10 Piper at the Gates of Dawn 9:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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