Echo & The Bunnymen - Crocodiles

Echo & The Bunnymen were one of the best groups to come out of England from the late 70’s/early 80’s scene but don’t seem to be held in such high regard now like some of the other post-punk bands such as The Cure, The Smiths or Siouxsie & The Banshees. I am not one of those however, to me they were the best of the bunch and since I am going to see them in concert tomorrow night, for the first time since 1988, I thought I would post a couple of tracks from their debut Crocodiles.

Influenced by psychedelia, 60’s garage bands and the mid 70’s English punk explosion The Bunnymen made one of the best debut records to come out of England in the 80’s. The most visible member was vocalist Ian McCulloch who was blessed with a great voice, wrote oblique lyrics, plus he had a very unique hair style! He wasn’t shy when it came time to be interviewed and the press loved him for it but to me the band was made by Will Sergeant one of the most under appreciated guitarists of the time. His playing is tasteful, interesting and never boring, plus he came up with some great riffs. The rhythm section of Les Pattinson & Pete De Freitas were solid and imaginative and a good foundation for the band. Unfortunately with Pete dying in 1989 the real band could never reform.

After their debut they made three more classic albums in a row topping it off with the glorious Ocean Rain, which is quite a good run for any band and then they released the worst record of their career to that point, a self titled over produced recording, so naturally it sold the most! Then they broke up and didn’t reform until 1997 and the "comeback" record Evergreen was released. Which I like but it is a bit mellow.

Here is All That Jazz and Simple Stuff (early version) for you to check out. Their first five records have all been reissued, remastered with extra tracks by Rhino and are well worth having in your collection.

Buy it here.