Echo and the Bunnymen
Echo And The Bunnymen

THE REVIEW

Dilemma: how to follow up on what is unanimously considered the highest point of your discography, satisfying the expectations of those who are ready to wait for you.

1987. The Echo And The Bunnymen release their fifth studio album, an album titled simply eponymous. The problem is that this record has to come after what is rightly considered today not only as the masterpiece of the Liverpool band - as mentioned earlier - but also as one of the best albums of the '80s, namely the historic "Ocean Rain". Well, in the final analysis, "Echo And The Bunnymen" suffers precisely from this state: it is indeed one of the most snubbed and underrated albums of the quartet.

But let's go in order: the band was perhaps at its creative peak and was also in the midst of success, especially regarding their homeland and Europe; they still couldn't definitively establish themselves with the large American audience; this and other reasons inevitably led to a progressive tearing and wearing out internally. After the collection "Songs To Learn And Sing," we finally arrive at this fifth discographic chapter. Drummer Pete De Freitas returns to the line-up after a brief departure, and so the group can produce what will become their swan song, at least for the historical line-up.

"Echo And The Bunnymen," however, is instead a completely worthy album of the heavy name it bears, or almost. From the first track, "The Game" presents a light, fresh sound (what an ugly term) and above all not lacking inspiration. Class is not water, and you can hear it in other beautiful episodes like "All In My Mind," the single "Lips Like Sugar" (one of their most famous songs), and, above all, "Bedbugs And Ballyhoo", which features the prestigious collaboration of their mentor Manzarek on the organ. The remaining tracks maintain very good standards, not exceptional, but still absolutely worthy. Minor episodes are not missing, but you do not hear unpleasant pieces at all.

The closure is, however, with another gem, perhaps the most precious one: "All My Life", a piece that stands up well against their best episodes ever. This eponymous album perhaps doesn't shine with the blinding light of pillars like "Crocodiles", "Heaven's Up Here", and "Ocean Rain" (only the latter anyway I consider to be a full 5 stars); but it reveals itself as a delightful record by one of the greatest bands of the '80s. Perhaps it is a lighter album than the previous ones, but—as I said before—class is not something common, just like the crystalline talent of an Ian McCulloch and his beautiful voice; just like the touch of the always great and never out of place Sergeant. And obviously the rhythm section Pattinson-De Freitas as well. In short, the hallmark remains, intact as ever.

After this work, the band will dramatically fall apart: the vocalist will leave the band to pursue a solo career that never blossomed, and the drummer will tragically lose his life in an accident. This is therefore the last true album of a historical band in its entirety. Without taking anything away from the excellent developments of the late '90s reunion, with more than dignified albums even today.

Final note: for those who want the original CD, there are also tasty bonus tracks such as demos, unreleased tracks, covers, and primordial versions, and an extended version of "Bring On The Dancing Horses." Personal advice: a must-have.