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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.
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Summary by Bot
The 1987 eponymous album by Echo and the Bunnymen, often overshadowed by their acclaimed Ocean Rain, deserves more recognition. It features fresh sounds and standout tracks like "Lips Like Sugar" and "All My Life." Despite minor flaws, it captures the band at their creative peak and marks the end of their classic lineup. The album remains a testament to their lasting talent and influence in ’80s music.Tracklist Lyrics
01 Never Stop (04:44)
Good God, you said
Is that the only thing you care about
Splitting up the money
And share it out
The cake's being eaten
Straight through the mouth
Poison
Poised to come back in
Season
For all the ones who lack
Reason
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
The king is dead
And long live the people who aim above
All the simple stuff never understood
Like right from bad and wrong from good
Deny
That you were ever tempted by the
Lie
That there's an answer in the
Sky
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Never stop
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
(Stop) Never stop
(Stop stop) BR> Never stop (Stop)
Never stop (Stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop
02 Rescue (04:30)
If I said I'd lost my way
Would you sympathise
Could you sympathise?
I'm jumbled up
Maybe I'm losing my touch
I'm jumbled up
Maybe I'm losing my touch
But you know I didn't have it anyway
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my rescue
Things are wrong
Things are going wrong
Can you tell that in a song
I don't know what I want anymore
First I want a kiss and then I want it all
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my rescue
Rescue, rescue, rescue
Things are wrong
Things are going wrong
Can you tell that in a song
Losing sense of those harder things
Is this the blues I'm singing?
Is this the blues I'm singing?
Is this the blues I'm singing?
Is this the blues I'm singing?
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my rescue
Is this the blues I'm singing
Won't you come on down to my rescue
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the blues I'm singing?)
Won't you come on down to my
(Rescue)
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the blues I'm singing?)
(Rescue)
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the blues I'm singing?)
(Rescue)
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the blues I'm singing?)
(Rescue)
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the, I'm singing)
Won't you come on down to my
(Is this the, I'm singing)
03 The Cutter (03:55)
Who's on the seventh floor
Brewing alternatives
What's in the bottom drawer
Waiting for things to give
Spare us the cutter
Spare us the cutter
Couldn't cut the mustard
Conquering myself
Until I see another hurdle approaching
Say we can, say we will
Not just another drop in the ocean
Come to the free for all
With seven tapered knives
Some of them six feet tall
We will escape our lives
Spare us the cutter
Spare us the cutter
Couldn't cut the mustard
Conquering myself
Until I see another hurdle approaching
Say we can, say we will
Not just another drop in the ocean
Am I the happy loss
Will I still recoil
When the skin is lost
Am I the worthy cross
Will I still be soiled
When the dirt is off
Conquering myself
Until I see another hurdle approaching
Say we can, say we will
Not just another drop in the ocean
Ocean
Watch the fingers close
When the hands are cold
Am I the happy loss
Will I still recoil
When the skin is lost
Am I the worthy cross
Will I still be soiled
When the dirt is off
Am I the happy loss
Will I still be soiled
When the dirt is off
Echo & The Bunnymen
British post-punk band formed in Liverpool in 1978 by Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant, and Les Pattinson; drummer Pete de Freitas soon completed the classic lineup. Known for moody, melodic songs and orchestral textures, they achieved acclaim with Ocean Rain (1984) and singles like The Killing Moon and Lips Like Sugar.08 Reviews
