Abandoning the folkish feel of earlier records,
Ricky Ross
took
Deacon Blue
in a more rocking direction on the band's fourth new studio album,
Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
. It was as if, having failed at becoming the next
Van Morrison
,
Ross
decided to become the next
Bono
. Songs like
"Bethlehem's Gate"
were paced by relentless, martial drumming and rhythmic instruments that played pulse patterns rather than complete chords. Meanwhile,
adopted a high, breathy singing voice with lots of echo. The lyrics
sang had less to do with his old Glasgow neighborhood than with "Peace & Jobs & Freedom" "All Over The World." Many of
's British fans were willing to follow, but America still wasn't listening. ~ William Ruhlmann