Big Joe Corrigan
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- 3 Feb 2014
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The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
He's huge!
journolud
Well-Known Member
Find myself a bit snowed under woth work today so wish I had written this yesterday...
I think Echo and the Bunnymen have done much better than this album suggests. I've been listening to Crocodiles which confirms the fact and there have been some great singles and other tracks along the way as well.
I had this album downloaded on my phone which I think is because I had previously bought all the CDs as a set and would have "ripped" them all at that time we were shifting from CDs to digital. I can't remember ever listening to it though before it came up for review.
A couple of people have mentioned that there is a noticeable step up in quality from the Killing Moon onwards and that was my initial thoughts although having said that I'm not sure how long that improvement is sustained. Seven Seas is good.
But it's the first half of the album that are disappointing for me. Silver sounds like a Spandau Ballet tribute act, the Yo Yo Man an ugly twin to the Doors Back Door Man and while the recitation of various vegetables might have seemed like a good idea, well, it wasn't.
McCulloch has got, or had, a great voice and there is an intensity to the Bunnymen's best work that sits well with me but it feels like they were running out of ideas by this time.
My partner by the way agrees. She was very much a bunnygirl back in the day. Can I say that? Probably not...
But she doesn't get to vote anyway. This isn't a terrible album but it's a long way short of their best. A 6 for me
I think Echo and the Bunnymen have done much better than this album suggests. I've been listening to Crocodiles which confirms the fact and there have been some great singles and other tracks along the way as well.
I had this album downloaded on my phone which I think is because I had previously bought all the CDs as a set and would have "ripped" them all at that time we were shifting from CDs to digital. I can't remember ever listening to it though before it came up for review.
A couple of people have mentioned that there is a noticeable step up in quality from the Killing Moon onwards and that was my initial thoughts although having said that I'm not sure how long that improvement is sustained. Seven Seas is good.
But it's the first half of the album that are disappointing for me. Silver sounds like a Spandau Ballet tribute act, the Yo Yo Man an ugly twin to the Doors Back Door Man and while the recitation of various vegetables might have seemed like a good idea, well, it wasn't.
McCulloch has got, or had, a great voice and there is an intensity to the Bunnymen's best work that sits well with me but it feels like they were running out of ideas by this time.
My partner by the way agrees. She was very much a bunnygirl back in the day. Can I say that? Probably not...
But she doesn't get to vote anyway. This isn't a terrible album but it's a long way short of their best. A 6 for me
BlueHammer85
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- 13 Oct 2010
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This is probably my favorite genre from the 80's , that kind of dark melodic jangly post punk sound that few bands could pull off - reminded me of a cross between previous nomination Cocteau Twins and The Cure but can also see the influence of The Doors - so quite a winning combo! however not all of it i could warm to as much as i thought i would - for sure the stand out is the biggest hit ' Killing Moon ' , 'Seven Seas' & 'Silver' both very good , also enjoyed 'My Kingdom' and 'Nocturnal Me' - Good lyrics, Production is perfect, love the strings throughout.
7/10
7/10
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Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
Ocean Rain - Echo and the Bunnymen
My list of 1984 albums would be much different than @bennyboy's, but that's what makes going back in time to touch nostalgia fun. I look at those albums and some have stood the test of time, and some have not. I'll still say Bruce, U2, REM, Henley, and Rush albums are ones I'll still listen to from time to time - VH, Foreigner, The Cars and others from that same year - not so much. It just shows the changing and evolution of music we once liked and reminds us of a time gone by, and what moves that needle today. Going back to teenage years is expected to meet with both a sometimes smile and cringe. That year for me too was still pre-college where the FM AOR-fed radio stations dominated and before things opened up to independent college radio and its endless diversity of music and artists.
It should come as no surprise that I didn't hear this album in the year it first came out, but I did hear a few of the songs - from the following year release of the compilation Songs to Learn & Sing from my freshman college roommate, who loved this band and other artists on benny's list.
That's where I first heard the hits, and make no mistake, "The Killing Moon" is THE one and is much deserving of the accolades it receives. I love how Ian McCulloch remarks "When I sing that song, I know there isn't a band in the world who's got a song anywhere near that." How true and I now think of that line every time I hear it. Anyone who wakes up in the morning with these lyrics in their head of “Fate up against your will. Through the thick and thin. He will wait until you give yourself to him.” has had some amazing inspiration. Ian is correct that most don’t dream things like that and remember them, so an amazing backstory to a fantastic song.
The problem I have as Rob and others have noted is that the rest of the album doesn't grab me like that one track does. I do like how "Silver" opens up with the strings, and it does remind me of ABC in places, which is nice. The lyrics here are strong too, and the backing "awwww" harmonization gives it that haunting sound. I also enjoyed "Crystal Days" at about a minute in when the guitar really gets going. "Seven Seas" was also a worthy compilation track from this album, but I don't remember singing along to "kissing the tortoise shell" back in the day. Other highlights from "My Kingdom" is the guitar solo 2 minutes in, so that was not one I heard back in the day.
Overall, I'm giving "The Killing Moon" a 10/10, but the rest of the album, despite the high points just noted, leaves me overall at a 6/10 with a renewed interest in listening to them, just mainly in compilation form going forward. Bring on the Dancing Horses, indeed.
(a Doors and vegetable free review)My list of 1984 albums would be much different than @bennyboy's, but that's what makes going back in time to touch nostalgia fun. I look at those albums and some have stood the test of time, and some have not. I'll still say Bruce, U2, REM, Henley, and Rush albums are ones I'll still listen to from time to time - VH, Foreigner, The Cars and others from that same year - not so much. It just shows the changing and evolution of music we once liked and reminds us of a time gone by, and what moves that needle today. Going back to teenage years is expected to meet with both a sometimes smile and cringe. That year for me too was still pre-college where the FM AOR-fed radio stations dominated and before things opened up to independent college radio and its endless diversity of music and artists.
It should come as no surprise that I didn't hear this album in the year it first came out, but I did hear a few of the songs - from the following year release of the compilation Songs to Learn & Sing from my freshman college roommate, who loved this band and other artists on benny's list.
That's where I first heard the hits, and make no mistake, "The Killing Moon" is THE one and is much deserving of the accolades it receives. I love how Ian McCulloch remarks "When I sing that song, I know there isn't a band in the world who's got a song anywhere near that." How true and I now think of that line every time I hear it. Anyone who wakes up in the morning with these lyrics in their head of “Fate up against your will. Through the thick and thin. He will wait until you give yourself to him.” has had some amazing inspiration. Ian is correct that most don’t dream things like that and remember them, so an amazing backstory to a fantastic song.
The problem I have as Rob and others have noted is that the rest of the album doesn't grab me like that one track does. I do like how "Silver" opens up with the strings, and it does remind me of ABC in places, which is nice. The lyrics here are strong too, and the backing "awwww" harmonization gives it that haunting sound. I also enjoyed "Crystal Days" at about a minute in when the guitar really gets going. "Seven Seas" was also a worthy compilation track from this album, but I don't remember singing along to "kissing the tortoise shell" back in the day. Other highlights from "My Kingdom" is the guitar solo 2 minutes in, so that was not one I heard back in the day.
Overall, I'm giving "The Killing Moon" a 10/10, but the rest of the album, despite the high points just noted, leaves me overall at a 6/10 with a renewed interest in listening to them, just mainly in compilation form going forward. Bring on the Dancing Horses, indeed.
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RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Ocean Rain by Echo and The Bunnymen pulled in 15 reviews at a very respectable average of 7.07. Thanks to @bennyboy for the nomination.
Next up, fresh from keeping us entertained for 5 months in the Bluemoon Cup, is @BlueHammer85.
Next up, fresh from keeping us entertained for 5 months in the Bluemoon Cup, is @BlueHammer85.
BlueHammer85
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- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 36,991
Will be back in one hour! sorry.
Here's ya clues.
Here's ya clues.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
The scarf from the cover, the Leopard skin pillbox hat.
The scarf from the cover, the Leopard skin pillbox hat.
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
First concert I ever went to was Bob Dylan. I went with my dad but was too young to appreciate it. I remember I had a carton of orange in my pocket that had got very warm by the end of the gig. Literally remember nothing else. It may have been at Maine Road or the Apollo.
My mum and dad just spent an absolute fortune going to see him in Edinburgh last month.
My mum and dad just spent an absolute fortune going to see him in Edinburgh last month.