Expanding the epic, multi-layered sound of A Pagan Place, This Is the Sea is a more ambitious yet more successful record, since it finds Mike Scott at his melodic peak. Consequently, the album has enough strong, accessible moments to make his indulgences forgivable. [A two-CD Collector's Edition of This Is the Sea was released in 2017, featuring the album's 2004 remaster and including 14 bonus tracks on the second disc.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine