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,
Ross adopted a high, breathy singing voice with lots of echo. The lyrics
Ross sang had less to do with his old Glasgow neighborhood than with "Peace & Jobs & Freedom" "All Over The World." Many of
Deacon Blue's British fans were willing to follow, but America still wasn't listening.