When it comes to landmark album release anniversaries in 2013, there are some giant iconic albums such as Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon”, Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and Paul McCartney & Wings’ “Band on the Run” which all celebrate their 40th Anniversary this year.

Then there are Spandau Ballet’s “True” and Madonna’s “Madonna” albums which have a 30th Anniversary in 2013. These are all great defining albums for the bands and artists in question. But no less important in this year of “album anniversaries” is a far less commercial album, but equally as important one. Namely The Waterboys “Dream Harder”, which marks it’s 20th Anniversary, having been released in May 1993.

The Waterboys “Dream Harder” is one of the Recordpress author’s all time favourite albums. The Waterboys “Dream Harder” was a return to a rock sound after the previous two albums, which were very much traditional Celtic folk influenced. There is some continuity however with earlier albums with The Waterboys’ tradition of paying homage to the Irish poet WB Yeats, on this occasion arranging “Love And Death”. And the track “The Return of Pan” is The Waterboys’ second ode to the Greek God. There are also tributes to Guitarist God Jimi Hendrix and a short tribute to one of my favourite childhood authors CS Lewis in the track “Wonders of Lewis”.

The Waterboys “Dream Harder” is laden with Pagan references and  communes a real spirituality right from the start with the opening track “New Life”. The whole album has a pastoral, agrarian and rural feeling to it encapsulated by the track “Corn Circles” , harking back to a pre-industrial revolution era where simplicity and spirituality went hand in hand. Infact it’s very much the era that Danny Boyle referenced, visualised and portrayed so well at the beginning of the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

However the piece de resistance on The Waterboys “Dream Harder” album has to be “The Glastonbury Song”. Undoutedly one of the Recordpress author’s all time favourite songs; whenever I hear it, it sends shivers down my spine!! If you have never heard it, play it on You Tube……. “The Glastonbury Song” is another reference to Pagan times, Glastonbury being an important Pagan place of worship.

But whatever your religious denomination, Pagan or otherwise, your heart would have to be as hard as the granite rocks of the Pagan spiritual home and epicentre Stonehenge, not to be moved by the great spirituality of The Waterboys “Dream Harder” album. It is simply one of the most beautiful, moving and spiritual albums I have ever heard!! It has a purity and innocence that only a few artists, such as Nick Drake are able to convey to we mere mortals and Earthly sinners……..

Which are your favourite Waterboys songs and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Waterboys song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Waterboys song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!