Echo & the Bunnymen – Echo & the Bunnymen (1987) review
Building on their reputation of moody atmospheres and
psychedelic concept [of sorts] albums, Echo and The Bunnymen climbed to
dizzying heights back in the mid 1980’s, with the release of Ocean Rain,
seeming to be their un-reproachable crowing achievement, an album that would
not be bested until Reverberation, without Ian McCulloch, found its way onto
the airwaves. Never the less, in 1987
Echo and The Bunnymen purposely turned a significant corner and dived
successfully into new territory by releasing this brilliant gem filled with a
cohesive mix of more radio friendly tunes … songs that sat on the tip of my
tongue, often sung right out loud without me even being aware of it. Each track laced with the next, and each song
was worthy of a 12 inch extended dance mix, certainly signifying the
significant musical changes that were waiting in the wings.
psychedelic concept [of sorts] albums, Echo and The Bunnymen climbed to
dizzying heights back in the mid 1980’s, with the release of Ocean Rain,
seeming to be their un-reproachable crowing achievement, an album that would
not be bested until Reverberation, without Ian McCulloch, found its way onto
the airwaves. Never the less, in 1987
Echo and The Bunnymen purposely turned a significant corner and dived
successfully into new territory by releasing this brilliant gem filled with a
cohesive mix of more radio friendly tunes … songs that sat on the tip of my
tongue, often sung right out loud without me even being aware of it. Each track laced with the next, and each song
was worthy of a 12 inch extended dance mix, certainly signifying the
significant musical changes that were waiting in the wings.
There are many who are going to try and tell you that these
lightweight songs don’t work, that they’re far from the mystic, tantalizing,
and obscure imagery the band seemed to so easily shrug off. Though, if one considers the notion that
Echo, like The Cure, had danced across those dark self-indulgent waters for
several albums, then like The Cure, the boys found it necessary to find their
way back to the surface, breathe in some pure air, and create something less
thematic and foreboding.
lightweight songs don’t work, that they’re far from the mystic, tantalizing,
and obscure imagery the band seemed to so easily shrug off. Though, if one considers the notion that
Echo, like The Cure, had danced across those dark self-indulgent waters for
several albums, then like The Cure, the boys found it necessary to find their
way back to the surface, breathe in some pure air, and create something less
thematic and foreboding.
This release, their greatest success in America, came on the
heels of Songs To Learn And Sing, an essential compilation of their most
memorable numbers, including the previously unreleased “Bring On The Dancing
Horses” … all songs that were filled with pure poetry, rounded light musical
accents, and fell like soft feathers. So
I ask you, ”Is it any wonder that Echo and The Bunnymen might like concoct a
mixture that goes down easy, and touched so many hearts?”
heels of Songs To Learn And Sing, an essential compilation of their most
memorable numbers, including the previously unreleased “Bring On The Dancing
Horses” … all songs that were filled with pure poetry, rounded light musical
accents, and fell like soft feathers. So
I ask you, ”Is it any wonder that Echo and The Bunnymen might like concoct a
mixture that goes down easy, and touched so many hearts?”
The 1987 self-titled
Echo and The Bunnymen album is a resounding success, one filled with
enchanting delightful tracks that weave an intoxicating blend of songs that are
more than memorable, have stood the test of time for over 25 years at this
point, and will be just as mesmerizing in another 25.
Echo and The Bunnymen album is a resounding success, one filled with
enchanting delightful tracks that weave an intoxicating blend of songs that are
more than memorable, have stood the test of time for over 25 years at this
point, and will be just as mesmerizing in another 25.
Review made by Jenell Kesler/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
Array
MEGA classic!
I would like to give credit to”The Game”Album by Echo and The Bunnymen.Although it was their most mainstream/softest/poppiest sounding album of all time,it was the one that I would most likely pop in the player if I was cuddling with someone that I love.It had a lot of great songs aside from”The Game”and “Lips Like Sugar”like those non single releases namely”Over You”and”Blue Blue Ocean”.I’m just wondering why most of the critics would slag this album.Whenever I read those”1000 Greatest Albums of All Time”,I noticed that those so called experts would choose those albums by bands in their formative years when they sounded raw and then rate them very highly.One example of this is EATBS”Heaven Up Here”and”Crocodiles”(another personal favourite of mine).Sometimes its better not to listen to this experts and just give the album a spin and let your ears,mind and heart do the judging.Me,I’m more of a person who loves to emote and daydream so I think”The Game”has all those perfect qualities that fits the romantic in me…and I know I might raise a few eyebrows with what I’m gonna say but if I may add,”Candleland”(1989)by Ian Mc Cullough is the last great Echo and The Bunnymen album…nuff said
David Dylan Elizalde Puzon.1V