Legend has it that Mike Scott crawled from under the same musical rock as World Party's Karl Wallinger and, to an extent, Wallinger's sometimes brilliant career mirrors Scott's own. Pouring heavily from the traditional vat, Scott, along with his band, the Waterboys, deftly concocted an affable blend of Irish folk music and the late eighties roots of alternative rock before petering out in the early nineties. Since then, Scott's efforts have been mainly greeted with remembrance of his past accomplishments-– a polite nod to an astute musician whose most relevant work was quite obviously behind him-- however, this year's aptly titled Still Burning elicits a more genuine response.

Paced by blistering, jamming rockers like the album's opener and "King Electric," Scott turns in his performance of the decade, though the album still finds his genius a bit spotty. Exhibiting proficient songwriting throughout, he finds his best success showcasing his surprising but less renowned guitar skills. "Man on the Mountain," "Love Anyway" and "One of Many Rescuers" all rest heavily on Scott's fuzzy guitar solos and are better off for it, while the both "Questions" and "Rare, Previous and Gone" benefit from the Memphis Horn's electric jolt.

"Questions" also neatly sums up the album's theme, a refreshing break from the normal omniscient maturing rocker schtick. Scott isn't merely refusing to share some soul- calming insight, but rather seems still to be searching for it himself-– a middle- aged man turning back to his music for answers. This search provides the album's true burn as Scott takes after the proceedings desperately. In this context, the quiet prayer "Everlasting Arms" is fragile rather than overbearing.

While Scott's search is compelling, it never quite walks on its own legs. Without the aid of his inspired playing, "My Dark Side" and "Open" both try too hard, lessening the blow delivered by the album's more resounding numbers. No matter though-– with the art of making a scorching rock n' roll album on the wane, Still Burning burns bright enough.

-Neil Lieberman