Echo & The Bunnymen – Echo & The Bunnymen

This album of Echo & the Bunnymen changed them from New wave to more acceptable New wave, with great songs on it!

Building on their reputation of moody atmospheres and psychedelic concept [of sorts] albums, Echo and The Bunnymen climbed to dizzying heights back in the mid 1980’s, with the release of Ocean Rain, seeming to be their un-reproachable crowing achievement, an album that would not be bested until Reverberation, without Ian McCulloch, found its way onto the airwaves. Never the less, in 1987 Echo and The Bunnymen purposely turned a significant corner and dived successfully into new territory by releasing this brilliant gem filled with a cohesive mix of more radio friendly tunes ... songs that sat on the tip of my tongue, often sung right out loud without me even being aware of it. Each track laced with the next, and each song was worthy of a 12 inch extended dance mix, certainly signifying the significant musical changes that were waiting in the wings.

There are many who are going to try and tell you that these lightweight songs don’t work, that they’re far from the mystic, tantalizing, and obscure imagery the band seemed to so easily shrug off. Though, if one considers the notion that Echo, like The Cure, had danced across those dark self-indulgent waters for several albums, then like The Cure, the boys found it necessary to find their way back to the surface, breathe in some pure air, and create something less thematic and foreboding.

This release, their greatest success in America, came on the heels of Songs To Learn And Sing, an essential compilation of their most memorable numbers, including the previously unreleased “Bring On The Dancing Horses” ... all songs that were filled with pure poetry, rounded light musical accents, and fell like soft feathers. So I ask you, ”Is it any wonder that Echo and The Bunnymen might like concoct a mixture that goes down easy, and touched so many hearts?”

The 1987 self-titled Echo and The Bunnymen album is a resounding success, one filled with enchanting delightful tracks that weave an intoxicating blend of songs that are more than memorable, have stood the test of time for over 25 years at this point, and will be just as mesmerizing in another 25.

Review by Jenell Kesler