The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

[C90]

Yep, think it was the second night at Static, the gallery all decked out in WW2 bunting.

 

[RobMCFC]

Rob, Spires, you guys have any issue with me starting a 'best album of 2024' thread? Nothing too clever, just a good old PM.me your top 10 albums of the year and lets see what the numbers spit out.

If there is any meed or appetite for such a thread. Wouldn't do it every year, but as it has been mentioned this has been a good year for albums, perhaps a one off.

No problem from me.

 

[Coatigan]

No objections from me and happy to throw in my favourites.

Ok, will try it at some point.

Just found out that the support act for Idles is a Willie J Healy. While it sounds pleasant enough at a quick spin, a bit of a mismatch of mood. I was hoping they would bagsy Snash or even Soapbox for a proper wild evening, but seems not to be.

 

[threespires]

Ok, will try it at some point.

Just found out that the support act for Idles is a Willie J Healy. While it sounds pleasant enough at a quick spin, a bit of a mismatch of mood. I was hoping they would bagsy Snash or even Soapbox for a proper wild evening, but seems not to be.

Just had a quick listen to WJH - as you say not an obvious choice at all?

Fr John Misty's and Michael Kiwanuka's albums are both out tomorrow - so I'll be listening to them to see if they are wroth binging on to get into the top 10. If they are both good that might mean Idles doesn't get in. Think I'll probably stick to pop/rock genre rather than wider, might be tough otherwise to get down to 10.

 

[RobMCFC]

Ocean Rain – Echo and the Bunnymen

Halfway through this album, I was going to say that there is nothing in it for me. It’s that gloomy goth sound from the mid-80s, no real melodies and certainly nothing like an instrumental passage to appreciate. Just 80s production and weird hair. There’s a sound that those gloomy British bands had in the mid-80s that doesn’t hit me in the same way as American bands who put a bit of ooomf into their sound and make their guitars shine.

Then “The Killing Moon” came on, and I have to say that I enjoyed it. Good bit of atmosphere, an acoustic in there and a solo on the outro. This is followed by “Seven Seas”, which is a decent pop song and “My Kingdom” follows in a similar vein with a short, fiery solo seemingly out of nowhere.

I enjoyed their cover of “People Are Strange” when it appeared in The Lost Boys. At that time, I had no idea that it was a cover or who the hell The Doors were. How time changes our appreciation of things!

Nothing to write home about but a solid 6/10.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Ocean Rain – Echo and the Bunnymen

Halfway through this album, I was going to say that there is nothing in it for me. It’s that gloomy goth sound from the mid-80s, no real melodies and certainly nothing like an instrumental passage to appreciate. Just 80s production and weird hair. There’s a sound that those gloomy British bands had in the mid-80s that doesn’t hit me in the same way as American bands who put a bit of ooomf into their sound and make their guitars shine.

Then “The Killing Moon” came on, and I have to say that I enjoyed it. Good bit of atmosphere, an acoustic in there and a solo on the outro. This is followed by “Seven Seas”, which is a decent pop song and “My Kingdom” follows in a similar vein with a short, fiery solo seemingly out of nowhere.

I enjoyed their cover of “People Are Strange” when it appeared in The Lost Boys. At that time, I had no idea that it was a cover or who the hell The Doors were. How time changes our appreciation of things!

Nothing to write home about but a solid 6/10.

Wow, everything I've been thinking down to the score and the feeling until the hit comes on.

Will have to come up with some new material. Well said, Rob!

 

[Coatigan]

Ocean Rain – Echo and the Bunnymen

Halfway through this album, I was going to say that there is nothing in it for me. It’s that gloomy goth sound from the mid-80s, no real melodies and certainly nothing like an instrumental passage to appreciate. Just 80s production and weird hair. There’s a sound that those gloomy British bands had in the mid-80s that doesn’t hit me in the same way as American bands who put a bit of ooomf into their sound and make their guitars shine.

Then “The Killing Moon” came on, and I have to say that I enjoyed it. Good bit of atmosphere, an acoustic in there and a solo on the outro. This is followed by “Seven Seas”, which is a decent pop song and “My Kingdom” follows in a similar vein with a short, fiery solo seemingly out of nowhere.

I enjoyed their cover of “People Are Strange” when it appeared in The Lost Boys. At that time, I had no idea that it was a cover or who the hell The Doors were. How time changes our appreciation of things!

Nothing to write home about but a solid 6/10.

What he said ^.

Exactly what I expected it to be. Not a sub-genre or style I could ever get into, but don't find it unpleasant to listen to in the slightest. Couldn't particularly engage with it much, but another worthwhile album of note ticked off my list I guess. 6.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I went to see the Bunnymen in Liverpool last year with an Orchestra performing Ocean Rain in full. It was a great gig.

 

[BlueHammer85]

 

[crublue1]

Decent, but not the best album they made. Still a solid 8 though.
Those that are new or not that familiar with the band give "songs to learn and sing" a listen.
Possibly one of the best compilations ever, albeit a bit short, there's a few tracks missing imo.