Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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I don't think I'm in the mood to score this today, but I am somehow in the mood to have another listen for some reason.
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The Album Review Club - *** Christmas Break Playlist (next album 7/1/26) ***
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
GoatersLeftShin
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I'm really torn on this album. There's some great tracks on there and you can tell they are good songwriters. It's very... "atmospheric" but I can't quite place what that is!
The songs have some decent hooks and the album as a whole is good.
So why am I torn? The production. It sounds a bit funny to my ears and it's almost putting me off another play, but by the same token you can tell it's a good album. I'll give it a couple of weeks before another play but I'm feeling generous so it's 7/10.
The songs have some decent hooks and the album as a whole is good.
So why am I torn? The production. It sounds a bit funny to my ears and it's almost putting me off another play, but by the same token you can tell it's a good album. I'll give it a couple of weeks before another play but I'm feeling generous so it's 7/10.
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen
Silver starts in classic 80's fashion - "You're living proof at my fingertips" is delivered in such a quintessentially 80's way before the rest of the album hits its stride as a Doors cover band. Not that they sound like the Doors but they sound very much Doors influenced. See Nocturnal Me with it's anti-chorus.
The album for more is most successful with the songs like Nocturnal Me that are a bit more of a challenge. On these moments Echo & The Bunnymen sound atmospheric and cinematic. The more poppy stuff is fine but less interesting than the songs you have to work hard to like.
Exhibit A is The Yo Yo Man. I can't actually think of a song with a more annoying title and it took me several listens to try and figure out what they were trying to accomplish. I'm still not sure - it feels part nursery rhyme, part musical, part edgy Christmas advert, part horror story. I hated it at first, then a late night walk around Media City made me think I loved it, but now I think it's just ok.
Thorn of Crowns keeps things edgy and Doorsy and although I initially dismissed that as a bad Adam Ant song I think this is the album highlight for me. I like the stuttered shopping list, the slinky but angular bass line and the ugly guitar. It doesn't really feel like a completed song but I like it's vibe.
The Killing Moon is the only song of theirs I would have been confident picking out of line up before but this is the first time I'd sat down and listened. To be honest it is great. I love the plucky sound of whatever is being played during what is probably the chorus. It does remind me bunches of that Wicked Games song and is clearly carrying a torch for the Doors.
Things dip slightly after that although I did enjoy the first few seconds of My Kingdom it does feel like most of the album - pretty much what you'd expect.
In listening I was hugely reminded of Neil Hannon especially when McCulloch is singing in his lower register as well as the Jim Morrison influence.
I've no doubt that if i had been exposed to this when it first came out I would be a big fan but from this distance I just think it is alright.
Although it's not on the original album so not reviewable I must add that the cover of All You Need is love is shockingly bad but the live version of The Killing Moon is quite nice. I did enjoy what I think is a cello giving lots of low end.
McCulloch's vocals did initially irritate me - it just felt like a lot at the beginning and took some listens to hear some of the nuances in his performance. I think some of the production issues being mentioned are to do with how prominent his vocals are in the mix compared to how muddy everything feels musically. The vocals feel much drier than the rest of the mix despite having plenty of reverb on them. It irritated me less the more I listened but it never quite got to enjoyable.
In summary it's a 6. The songs I initially disliked I changed my mind on but the rest is just fine and didn't provoke any strong reaction.
Silver starts in classic 80's fashion - "You're living proof at my fingertips" is delivered in such a quintessentially 80's way before the rest of the album hits its stride as a Doors cover band. Not that they sound like the Doors but they sound very much Doors influenced. See Nocturnal Me with it's anti-chorus.
The album for more is most successful with the songs like Nocturnal Me that are a bit more of a challenge. On these moments Echo & The Bunnymen sound atmospheric and cinematic. The more poppy stuff is fine but less interesting than the songs you have to work hard to like.
Exhibit A is The Yo Yo Man. I can't actually think of a song with a more annoying title and it took me several listens to try and figure out what they were trying to accomplish. I'm still not sure - it feels part nursery rhyme, part musical, part edgy Christmas advert, part horror story. I hated it at first, then a late night walk around Media City made me think I loved it, but now I think it's just ok.
Thorn of Crowns keeps things edgy and Doorsy and although I initially dismissed that as a bad Adam Ant song I think this is the album highlight for me. I like the stuttered shopping list, the slinky but angular bass line and the ugly guitar. It doesn't really feel like a completed song but I like it's vibe.
The Killing Moon is the only song of theirs I would have been confident picking out of line up before but this is the first time I'd sat down and listened. To be honest it is great. I love the plucky sound of whatever is being played during what is probably the chorus. It does remind me bunches of that Wicked Games song and is clearly carrying a torch for the Doors.
Things dip slightly after that although I did enjoy the first few seconds of My Kingdom it does feel like most of the album - pretty much what you'd expect.
In listening I was hugely reminded of Neil Hannon especially when McCulloch is singing in his lower register as well as the Jim Morrison influence.
I've no doubt that if i had been exposed to this when it first came out I would be a big fan but from this distance I just think it is alright.
Although it's not on the original album so not reviewable I must add that the cover of All You Need is love is shockingly bad but the live version of The Killing Moon is quite nice. I did enjoy what I think is a cello giving lots of low end.
McCulloch's vocals did initially irritate me - it just felt like a lot at the beginning and took some listens to hear some of the nuances in his performance. I think some of the production issues being mentioned are to do with how prominent his vocals are in the mix compared to how muddy everything feels musically. The vocals feel much drier than the rest of the mix despite having plenty of reverb on them. It irritated me less the more I listened but it never quite got to enjoyable.
In summary it's a 6. The songs I initially disliked I changed my mind on but the rest is just fine and didn't provoke any strong reaction.
Four me an enjoyable pick that took me back to my early musical listening and likes (if you forget about my early love of The Wombles)
I thought Silver was an excellent upbeat opener with a great 80s sound to it. The feel of it almost making me think you could have had Martin Fry on the track. Certainly a bit of ABC like.
I personally thought that the next 4 tracks were something of a drop of but like @mrbelfry I got a significant Doors/Morrison vibe from them and that eastern vibe with guitar and strings, Only Crystal Days having a more upbeat tone. I really didn't get what Mac was doing with his Cucumber, Cabbage & Cauliflower reference.
We then hit the last 4 tracks that I think elevate this album from another mediocre 80's album to something a cut above, even if I am thinking a third of the album doesn't stand out.
The KIlling Moon is the stand out and would grace many an album. I do think there is something grandiose and brooding about this track. The strings and arrangements on many of them, again making this different from a lot of what was about. Followed up by Seven Seas, although a great tune I'm not sure I would ever actually want to kiss a tortoise. My Kingdom & Ocean Rain continue this.
I do get the darker overall feel of the album but also think that the obvious singles lighten this enough to make it a quality choice.
Its a 7.5 from the Derry jury
I thought Silver was an excellent upbeat opener with a great 80s sound to it. The feel of it almost making me think you could have had Martin Fry on the track. Certainly a bit of ABC like.
I personally thought that the next 4 tracks were something of a drop of but like @mrbelfry I got a significant Doors/Morrison vibe from them and that eastern vibe with guitar and strings, Only Crystal Days having a more upbeat tone. I really didn't get what Mac was doing with his Cucumber, Cabbage & Cauliflower reference.
We then hit the last 4 tracks that I think elevate this album from another mediocre 80's album to something a cut above, even if I am thinking a third of the album doesn't stand out.
The KIlling Moon is the stand out and would grace many an album. I do think there is something grandiose and brooding about this track. The strings and arrangements on many of them, again making this different from a lot of what was about. Followed up by Seven Seas, although a great tune I'm not sure I would ever actually want to kiss a tortoise. My Kingdom & Ocean Rain continue this.
I do get the darker overall feel of the album but also think that the obvious singles lighten this enough to make it a quality choice.
Its a 7.5 from the Derry jury
Mad Eyed Screamer
Moderator
My number 4 all time top album ever.
Not a duff tune on it. The Bunnymen at their peak.
Cu-cu-cu cucumber, ca ca ca cabbage, ca ca ca cauliflower……
Stab a sorry heart
With your favourite finger
Paint the whole world blue
And stop your tears from stinging……
Just fantastic and ends with the epic album title. Add that to one of the most iconic 80’s album covers and that my friend gives this album 11 out of 10
Not a duff tune on it. The Bunnymen at their peak.
Cu-cu-cu cucumber, ca ca ca cabbage, ca ca ca cauliflower……
Stab a sorry heart
With your favourite finger
Paint the whole world blue
And stop your tears from stinging……
Just fantastic and ends with the epic album title. Add that to one of the most iconic 80’s album covers and that my friend gives this album 11 out of 10
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Yellow card!Four me
I could be nasty and void this vote as it falls outside the permitted range, but I'll assume it's a 10.My number 4 all time top album ever.
Not a duff tune on it. The Bunnymen at their peak.
Cu-cu-cu cucumber, ca ca ca cabbage, ca ca ca cauliflower……
Stab a sorry heart
With your favourite finger
Paint the whole world blue
And stop your tears from stinging……
Just fantastic and ends with the epic album title. Add that to one of the most iconic 80’s album covers and that my friend gives this album 11 out of 10
The Killing Moon is a superb track, and is ageing so well ,still sounds wonderful today.Four me an enjoyable pick that took me back to my early musical listening and likes (if you forget about my early love of The Wombles)
I thought Silver was an excellent upbeat opener with a great 80s sound to it. The feel of it almost making me think you could have had Martin Fry on the track. Certainly a bit of ABC like.
I personally thought that the next 4 tracks were something of a drop of but like @mrbelfry I got a significant Doors/Morrison vibe from them and that eastern vibe with guitar and strings, Only Crystal Days having a more upbeat tone. I really didn't get what Mac was doing with his Cucumber, Cabbage & Cauliflower reference.
We then hit the last 4 tracks that I think elevate this album from another mediocre 80's album to something a cut above, even if I am thinking a third of the album doesn't stand out.
The KIlling Moon is the stand out and would grace many an album. I do think there is something grandiose and brooding about this track. The strings and arrangements on many of them, again making this different from a lot of what was about. Followed up by Seven Seas, although a great tune I'm not sure I would ever actually want to kiss a tortoise. My Kingdom & Ocean Rain continue this.
I do get the darker overall feel of the album but also think that the obvious singles lighten this enough to make it a quality choice.
Its a 7.5 from the Derry jury
I enjoyed Echo and the Bunnymen in the early 80's. I have Crocodiles and Porcupine. Yet this album passed me by. I knew Killing Moon as it was a single - but recognised nothing else. So, I listened intrigued not just to learn the album but why I had not noticed it 40 years ago.
It was a pleasant listen, but other than Killing Moon, which is excellent, nothing stood out. It did cause me to go and dig out Crocodiles and Porcupine and I had a pleasant afternoon remembering them. But in 1984 I was in a much happier place than the Bunnymen - and looking at the 1984 albums in my collection that is represented in the things I bought.
7/10 (Killing Moon lifts it from a 5)
It was a pleasant listen, but other than Killing Moon, which is excellent, nothing stood out. It did cause me to go and dig out Crocodiles and Porcupine and I had a pleasant afternoon remembering them. But in 1984 I was in a much happier place than the Bunnymen - and looking at the 1984 albums in my collection that is represented in the things I bought.
7/10 (Killing Moon lifts it from a 5)
threespires
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Yellow card!
Given the Wombles seconds later is that not two yellows in quick succession?
That said I'm now humming "underground, overground wombling free" to myself so perhaps I should avoid trying to get him sent off lest I suffer the same fate.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Fair point. Not quite the two-footed lunge that expressing an appreciation for The Smiths might represent, so I'll settle for a stern look across the crowded midfield with the shared knowledge that next time he won't be so lucky.Given the Wombles seconds later is that not two yellows in quick succession?
That said I'm now humming "underground, overground wombling free" to myself so perhaps I should avoid trying to get him sent off lest I suffer the same fate.
threespires
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I was familiar with this pick but it's not something I've listened to in recent times.
1st listen - very happy to be reacquainted
2nd listen - listening analytically, noticing various issues that never occurred to me at the time with both songs and the production
3rd listen - more noticing and becoming sad that I was probably going to end up scoring it lower than I expected
Then decided to put it on again just because I could, wasn't listening hard and a cultural icon from the year of this album came to me and said...
"No good to listen music with just brain, Spires san. If music not listened to with heart too then better not listen at all. Remember how music make you feel in here and here (points to heart and stomach) not just here (points to head). If music makes you think of time and place, must embrace those feelings not only thoughts. Must have balance, Spires san."
8/10
1st listen - very happy to be reacquainted
2nd listen - listening analytically, noticing various issues that never occurred to me at the time with both songs and the production
3rd listen - more noticing and becoming sad that I was probably going to end up scoring it lower than I expected
Then decided to put it on again just because I could, wasn't listening hard and a cultural icon from the year of this album came to me and said...
"No good to listen music with just brain, Spires san. If music not listened to with heart too then better not listen at all. Remember how music make you feel in here and here (points to heart and stomach) not just here (points to head). If music makes you think of time and place, must embrace those feelings not only thoughts. Must have balance, Spires san."
8/10
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Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
I'm glad you found it as I was half asleep on my first cup of coffee "looking/waiting for it", but felt we got off easy upon first scan. Seeing @BlueHammer85's team get a surprise yesterday had me feeling better too for some reason, not sure why given my northeast leanings after City. Misery loves company and all...Yellow card!
I was waiting for a Spinal Tap 11 scoring to make me smile. Hoping a certain away squad has that level for Sunday as it will likely be needed.I could be nasty and void this vote as it falls outside the permitted range, but I'll assume it's a 10.
I've got one more listen and most everyone has covered the Doors and vegetables, so I will have to dig deep later today.
City Hobgoblin
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Will Sergeant is great, worth a pop over to his Facebook which I diecovered in that lockdown.
Dry humour, modest but knows his stuff. His autobiographies are an entertaining read.
And he's started to resemble Ricky Tomlinson!
Dry humour, modest but knows his stuff. His autobiographies are an entertaining read.
And he's started to resemble Ricky Tomlinson!
Mancitydoogle
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OCEAN RAIN
There were a lot of good bands from the scouseland music scene in the 80s, my favourites were The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes.I ve had this album since its release and it’s still sounds great.
As others have said they were influenced particularly by The Doors but also George Harrison and The VU amongst others.The songs are excellent, the instrumentation lush and Mac has a good voice.Although the production sounds very 80s.
Lyrically there are religious and spiritual undertones although I think some of the lyrics were tongue in cheek and Macs taking the piss.
Theres not a duff track on this album.
Excellent choice BB
9/10
There were a lot of good bands from the scouseland music scene in the 80s, my favourites were The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes.I ve had this album since its release and it’s still sounds great.
As others have said they were influenced particularly by The Doors but also George Harrison and The VU amongst others.The songs are excellent, the instrumentation lush and Mac has a good voice.Although the production sounds very 80s.
Lyrically there are religious and spiritual undertones although I think some of the lyrics were tongue in cheek and Macs taking the piss.
Theres not a duff track on this album.
Excellent choice BB
9/10
GornikDaze
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Used to listen to this a lot back in the day, so this was a man easy pick to distract me from the harder task of the new Pixies album! I’ve always found IMs vocals really pleasant on the ear. I nice nostalgic trip down memory lane. The big tunes (Killing Moon, Silver, Seven Seas) are still awesome. Solid 7/10 from me.
Back to The Night The Zombies Came….
Back to The Night The Zombies Came….
GornikDaze
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You need to dig deeper into the Wombles back catalogue! Bungo’s Birthday was always one of my favsGiven the Wombles seconds later is that not two yellows in quick succession?
That said I'm now humming "underground, overground wombling free" to myself so perhaps I should avoid trying to get him sent off lest I suffer the same fate.
OB1
Well-Known Member
Ocean Rain
Echo & are one of those bands I never delved into. I was wondering if I should investigate them as it happens so this was a welcome choice. Not sure if I will go and listen to more of them or not (because for me that usually means buying cds!). I thought this album was ok, a bit melancholy but has a sound that strikes a nostalgic chord with someone who favours 70's & 80's sounds.
6/10
Echo & are one of those bands I never delved into. I was wondering if I should investigate them as it happens so this was a welcome choice. Not sure if I will go and listen to more of them or not (because for me that usually means buying cds!). I thought this album was ok, a bit melancholy but has a sound that strikes a nostalgic chord with someone who favours 70's & 80's sounds.
6/10
threespires
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You need to dig deeper into the Wombles back catalogue! Bungo’s Birthday was always one of my favs
I'm not sure what it says about me that I stopped listening to Ray Charles in order to play your 'recommendation'. Though the storytelling re. Madame Cholet's culinary preparations for Bungo's Birthdsay was excellent and no doubt Mike Batt is a talented chap, if I'm being honest it wasn't really at the same level as 'I've Got A Woman'.
In fairness after Bungo the next autoplay track was 2000 Miles which is on the shortlist of very acceptable Christmas songs, so not all was lost.
Big Joe Corrigan
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Not sure how I missed this? I first saw Echo and The Bunnymen at a tiny downstairs cafe behind Woolworths, called Tingle Tangle, be about 1979 ish? It was their first gig outside of Liverpool, they had the drum machine (Echo). Brilliant band, my best mate died about 8 years ago, huge Bunnymen fan, played their music at his funeral, RIP Steve.