Ocean Rain

Amazing album, definitely a bridge between Madchester music and 90s alt/indies rock. You can hear them influencing almost every 90s non pop musician.

Had to listen to this twice for it to even sink in. It just kind of washed over me. The vocal delivery is like Bono trying to channel Jim Morrison's ghost (especially on thorn of crowns). Ambitious and moody. Like a strange hybrid of The Cure, Bauhaus, XTC, and U2. "The Killing Moon" reminds me of Radiohead. I listened to it a third time (this time in the day) and it started to grow on me. Went from 3 to 4 overnight. At night it seemed so melodramatic but in the daytime it sounded a little more balanced.

Genuinely didn’t know what I expected from this album. I hadn’t heard overly good things about Echo & the Bunnymen - I was pleasantly surprised. This sounds quite a bit like some of the more obscure alt/indie rock from the mid 2000s. I dig it. “The Killing Moon” is a straight-up great song.

The prefect cocktail of mystery and magic, haunting lyrics and an exquisite score underpinning it all expertly. I think if that boat was sinking, Big Sam would keep them up.

Ce qu'il s'est passé est tout bonnement effroyable. Comme annoncé dans notre review précédente, robpalombière et moi même sommes entré par effraction au sein du domicile de Robert. Ce que nous y avons découvert dépasse l'entendement. Tout d'abord, dès l'entrée dans le salon, nous découvrions une centaine d'ordinateurs diffusant en boucle le dernier album de Mike Ladd, ce qui provoquait un brouhaha absolument insupportable. Mais nous n'étions pas venu pour cela. Nous descendions alors au sous-sols à pas feutrés, chaque avancée du genous nous éloignant des sonorités slam de Mike Ladd, mais nous rapprochant d'une mélodie bien familière... "ique ton coeur", *avancée du genou*, "qui pique ton coeur", *avancée du genou*, "l'as de trèfle qui pique ton coeur"... Nous touchions au but. Dans cette cave, spécialement amménagée pour l'occasion, nous pouvions deviner la silhouette de MC Solaar, faisant face au mur de sa gêole, et répétant inlassablement les quelques vers du refrain de Caroline t'envoles pas. Tout se passa alors très vite, tandis que je crochetais la serrure, robpalombière tendit la main à MC Solaar. Il fallut peu de temps pour que nous remontions discrètement les marches menant au rez de chaussée, et nous eclipsions discrètement du domicile de Robert pour rejoindre notre véhicule garé quelques rues plus loin. Nous l'avions fait, nous avions délivré MC Solaar. Mais alors que nous laissions notre joie éclater, rob poussa alors un cri: "Merde!! J'ai fait une connerie!! J'ai oublié nos cartes d'identité sur la table basse du salon!!!" - En effet, rob avait fait une connerie, puisqu'il avait oublié nos cartes d'identité sur la table basse du salon. Sur ces cartes d'identité figurent nos pseudos d'auditeur du générateur, ce qui laisse désormais à Robert toute liberté de nous localiser, dès l'instant ou il réalisera que MC Solaar avait été retrouvé...

As I listen to this I sit and wonder. I wonder, should I let that Filipino child that I stole from the hospital out of her cage? You almost had me there for a minute, Echo. I almost let her out. She stays. The Bunnymen can come visit whenever they want. She'll be here. Caged. Ready.

I REALLY liked this. It’s got a cool art rock, post-punk vibes. Some Jim Morrison style vocals at time, with some really cool arrangements. Just liked this a lot. Surprised at how good I thought it was. Back half is phenomenal

Too many people sleep on these guys

Comme vous le savez probablement, la journée d'hier a été marquée par l'opération de sauvetage de MC Solaar au domicile de Robert Dimery. Je vous invite à vous référer à la critique de mon compère elgomez pour avoir connaissance de la chronologie des faits. Ocean Rain est un bon album. On notera cependant la déception qui suit le moment où l'on se rend compte qu'il ne s'agit pas de l'album Purple Rain, que beaucoup de fans d'Echo And The Bunnymen ont connu le jour de sa sortie.

hell yeah, i love this album i’ve liked Echo & The Bunnymen for years and i’ve heard most of the songs on this album already but i don’t think i’ve actually heard the whole thing front to back before and it was a really great experience. least favorite song was Thorn of Crowns, it was just kind of lame to listen to but i loved all the other songs. my favorite song has to be the one that got me into them in the first place: Nocturnal Me, and The Killing Moon is a close second. i think it’s fair to give it a 10/10, i’m a sucker for Joy Division and The Smiths, this album is great for me

Great album, know every song

Lush Orchestral Moody Melodic I enjoyed this - I missed a lot of the 80s new wave in my teen guitar-solo-oriented days and often to my detriment. Most of this is an enjoyable and elegant-sounding slice of early80s British music that at the time I thought was moodier and more somber than I do now. Or maybe I'm just moody and somber at this point in my life. Possible. "Thorn of Crowns" is an odd one... I can't decide if it's ridiculous or I actually like it. ... although maybe both apply. Overall the minor keys with a soaring production is a combination I find myself enjoying - even though it's very "of its age" is that a bad thing here? I say not. A keeper. 7/10 4 stars.

I like it. I came of age in the eighties and was an indie kid, but for some reason had an aversion to this band. I should have listened to this album.

An archeological relic of a genre long gone, and frankly, I'm not in tears.

Hard to pinpoint why this is so great. Probably how it seems to have overachieved in all that it attempted.

I didn't know what to expect based on the album cover, band name, or the Wiki description for that matter. My expectations were a bit low based on the release year, to be honest. And I'm a fool, because this blew me away. The second half of this album in particular is stacked with great songs--lyrically, melodically, and instrumentally. This is another one where I'm grateful to have started this generator journey so I could hear this. I might have to get this on wax, actually. Highlights: Nocturnal Me, Thorn of Crowns, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas

Loved it in the day. Happy to listen again now. Still love it! I forgive the pretentious ridiculous lyrics because the album as a whole sounds so great.

Beautiful

Loved it the ballad style is a dream

Amazing use of strings, a beautiful album that keeps my attention, solid melodies and includes what I think is their best sone, The Killing Moon.

Love this album so much. The Killing Moon has become one of the most used songs on TV and movie soundtracks and for good reason. The rest of the tracks are just as strong.

I always feel like I have to say something about my 5* albums, so I’ll try for this one. This is my second listen (as it is for all of the 5* albums, except Village Green Preservation Society retroactively) but before I listened to it, I was already drawn to this album by the album cover, which looks about exactly like how the music sounds. My favorite songs on it are “The Killing Moon” and “The Yo-Yo Man” but all of the songs have potential to keep growing on me in the future.

I didn't really know what to expect with this one. I had sort of heard killing moon previously in passing. Being greeted with an orchestra from the start was a surprise. This album is melodic, yet broody. Post punk meets goth. I really enjoyed it.

😊

This album was great, some kinda weird lyrics and the killing moon (the only song I knew from it) was definitely the stand out but it’s still really good and I’ll give it a 5.

absolutely haunting

Absolutely iconic album & album cover. I'll never forget the times I saw The Bunnymen live. The first time was pure magic, but the second time was an utter mess thanks to Ian's alcoholism...but I digress. The Killing Moon is superb, and the video is essential 80s goth. The rest of the album is dark & romantic. I could go on about how Ian is a huge wanker, but the music he made with his band is wonderful. This album, along with others of its time, is part of my regular listening. Fantastic album.

"Ocean Rain" is the fourth studio album by English post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen. The album was produced by members of the band, Gil Martin and Henri Loustau. To their post-punk and new wave sound they added a 35-piece orchestra and more acoustic guitar to the songs. The album initially received mix reviews and commercially hit #4 in the UK and #87 in the US. A strumming acoustic guitar and strings begin the second single "Silver." A melodic electric guitar. Lead singer Ian McCulloch delivers strong vocals. An exhilarating ending. I think it's about someone outside yourself that can free you, supposedly his wife. Guitarist Will Sergeant delivers an Eastern-style guitar in "Thorn of Crowns." The guitar and music sound like "The End" by the Doors. McCulloch is randomly yelping and he sounds like the lead singer from Suicide. Always a fan of the soft-loud-soft. McColluch said the lyrics had no meaning. But, it's still a pretty good song. "The Killing Moon" was the first single and has that classic guitar open with a prominent bass and drum backing. Sergeant said the guitar was inspired by a Russian balalaika. The seductive pace and mood. No one has control over death. The acoustic guitar takes the lead on "Seven Seas." An underlying electric guitar. A great vocal chorus and the strings take this into grandiose territory. McCulloch goes a capella at the start of the closer "Ocean Rain." It's a slow and dreamy song. The song gains momentum with the strings and guitar. A nice song. There's a lot to like on this album; the strings bring more drama. A prominent bass. Great drumming. The acoustic guitar is in the kead a lot. The electric guitar is underlying and melodic. McColluch's distinct vocals. Imagery in the lyrics particularly of water...lots of water. Ther's more here than just "The Killing Moon" but that alone makes this worth a listen.

The Killing Moon.

This is incredible. I only really knew them from The Killing Moon (which I love). I hear where all my bands come from in this though. Like Arcade Fire, The Killers, Coldplay and Radiohead. This is of its time in the best way.

Loved it!

I've never heard of this band in my life, but this album is great. A lush and interesting 80s album with well written lyrics and a consistent vibe and sound. Except for the song thorn of crowns which has purposefully stripped back and bad production except on the chorus. I kind of like that they took a chance to do something weird but on the other hand I'm not sure how much I love the sound of the singer cumming over and over right in my ears. Definitely the weirdest song, not 100% how I feel about it. It does make the production feel even more deep and lush when the next song plays, and it's a great song. Wasn't super crazy about the final song as well, I feel like this album deserved an epic closer. Other than that I loved it front to back. I think crowns will grow on me in future listens. Score: 90. Album art: 80

I am a total sucker for Ian McCulloch's voice.

Beautiful.

The Killing Moon.

An 80s pop rock album with a sick strings section in every song

I do like the sound of a Bunnymen song. Lots of la-las and do-dos. Pretty!

one of a the highest achievements of human creativity

This was great! Perfect 80s sound.

Brilliant, perfect, moving, highlight of the Echo catalogue. Killing Moon of course the classic track, Thorn of Crowns my favorite. Memories of Ian McCulloch performing it live, concert hall in entire darkness, only light to be seen his burning cigarette. Much of the music of then now is outdated, this one alive as can be.

Oooh, I really like this one. Nocutnal Me grabbed me from the first listen and I think I like it more than Killing Moon.

This album is a full blown classic! Lush, atmospheric, melodic and flat out beautiful from beginning to end. The guitar work from Marc Sargent is fantastic. This is the high water mark for the Bunnymen.

Love Killing Moon one of my favs also a good album I like his haunting voice

Great album!

killing moon is a masterpiece

Iconic indie rock masterpiece from the Bunnymen. Nothing less.

I’m starting to feel like this kind of music (late 1970s through the 1980s, British, reverb-y) was engineered in a mad scientist’s lab especially for me. (Also, re: the Beach Boys album I neglected to say anything about yesterday, it is very good early 70s psych-pop. Like the rest of their music, it took me some time to warm up to Surf’s Up, despite being a fan of the genre.) 4.5

My favorite album from one of my all time favorite bands. Ian McCulloch has never been in better voice. The lyrics are beautifully obtuse but fun and provoking and at times achingly beautiful. Will Sargeants guitar is tasteful and never overdone, alwaysserving the song. And there are so many great songs; Silver, Seven Seas, Thorn of Crowns, Yo Yo Man, Ocean Rain, Kingdom and of course The Killing Moon. A 5 🌟 album if I've ever heard one.

This album really impressed me. I would even hesitate to call it post-punk due to the wide musical scope this album encompasses. It is clearly influenced by 60s garage rock and the Doors, has a driving post punk feel, and is backed by well placed string arrangements. This synthesis of influences is not limited to a backward looking focus. There are melodic moments that wouldn’t be out of place on a 2000s indie record as well.

I loved the vibes

Spooky, retro, edgy, solid

One of my favorite albums from the 80s

Brilliant album, played it non stop when it came out & still sounds epic today

Lovely little album

Top Scousers.

Criminally underrated album thats full of strong influences but in turn influenced so many others through the late 80s and 90s.

One of my favorite albums of all-time, though just my 2nd favorite Bunnymen album. Love me some Crocodiles. 5 🌟 without question.

really good

fkin great

bueno bueno

I think I've heard of this artist, but never gave them a listen. I can see the appeal, the vocals are definitely interesting and engaging. The guys voice is something almost enigmatic? I'm not sure if that's the right word, but it draws you in and captures you.

Echo and the Bunnymen have achieved a rare feat here, combining thoughtful lyrics with interesting melodies, backed by a 35-piece orchestra. Unfortunately, I had a hard time feeling much of anything while listening to the album, mostly because the lead singer is horribly bland and generic. Best track: Seven Seas

A band well and truly in their pomp!

Nothing to write home about. Pretty amusing psychobabble by wannabe weirdos who don't mind sounding silly, which is just as well, but struggle to sound fun, which isn't.

p526. 1984. 2 stars Sounds like the bastard love child of Nick Cave and The Cure's Robert Smith, but without the talent. Perfectly acceptable without being exceptional in any way. A couple of OK singles, but that's it. On the plus side, it's short, so it doesn't outstay its welcome.

This is by far Echo's best album, although personally I like Porcupine on the whole better. This one has everything going for it, just amazing songwriting, and I pretty much love every song on it. Pinnacle of their career and never made an album close to this. 4.5/5 which rounds up to a 5.

One of the finest album I've ever heard and it just gets better and better. I could listen to this everyday for the rest of my life.

Some of the best songs ever recorded are just there.

Randomly, I heard The killing moon on TV yesterday and wished it would pop up on our album list. Amazingly, what I wished for came true. This encapsulates so many memories from my teenage years. Wonderful in every way. So good I played it twice.

# Playlist track - Silver # Notes - I stumbled upon this album a few years ago, and it was an incredible experience. Listening to it again, I'm glad to say it still feels the same. - The delivery is cool, the album got an interesting rhythm and under 37 minutes, it's gone before it starts to drag itself. Good call.

I bought this when it came out, but haven't played it in ages - a big mistake. Probably the band's peak, and definitely 5⭐

Such a great vibe! Happy to have been able to see them live this year.

SO good. 10/10

Excellent! A beautiful range of instruments, creative jumps through the album to keep me engaged. I didn't think very highly of the other album of theirs on this list - Porcupine, but this was a great surprise. The kind of indie rock that I love.

First four E&B albums are 5-star classics. This is number 4. It is hard to say which of these albums is better. Compared to their previous album the singing has toned down a bit. Overall, the quality of their pop songwriting might be the best there was in the 80s. (I also thought those two recent books of Will Sergeant, together covering the first couple of years of the band were worth reading.) score: 10/10.

Good

The Killing Moon.

Fun

Wow! Heard of this group but never really listened to them. Well composed, intersting to listen to. The orchestra really fills out the sound. This one goes on my buy list.

back to Uni days with this one, still sounds great

The Killing Moon is one of my all time favorite songs.

Love the first four echo albums. This one is more orchestral and the production is lusher which I think they never pulled back from as they moved forward, but so much cool stuff on this. Probably the most hooky Echo album, nonsense lyrics and all (cuh cuh cabbage). My kingdom I swear starts with an opening that was an influence of Ian Broudie pre-lightning seeds, but I guess this album he didn't produce. Once again, Will Sargeant is just an absolute genius.

Very Cool.

Took me too long to realize Kyles played them before. The Killing Moon. Nocturnal Me - “oh take me internally”

Lemme grab my Oxfam coat. 10/10 would 80s again.

This is a stunning album. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-ocean-rain-by-echo-and?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Beautiful 🩵

This was so good, I didn't see this coming. It sounds 10 years ahead of it's time, like a precursor to the alt rock of the '90s (I'm hearing an early R.E.M. sound at times, but that's probably underselling it, I also got The National at times). The sound is big and orchestral, but the singer isn't overwhelmed by the background instruments. They manage to pull off this ambience that's slightly unsettling or haunting, while still being incredibly enjoyable to listen to. Ian McCulloch's voice is awesome, dramatic and powerful. The biggest knock on this is that there's a bit of a weak stretch on songs 3-5. It starts off great with "Silver" and the really uneasy sounding "Nocturnal Me", but then the next three songs are a bit weaker in comparison ("Crystal Days" is ok, I don't actually like "The Yo Yo Man" all that much but the plinking sounds in the middle are weird and interesting enough to hear again, similarly the guitar riff on "Thorn of Crowns" is pretty cool). Although I'm listening a second time and they're still pretty decent, weaker than the rest but there's still something interesting happening on each song. The B-side is absolutely top tier though. It starts with their best-known song "The Killing Moon" which is iconic (fateeeee....up against your willllll). "Seven Seas" is almost just as good though to follow, and "My Kingdom" and "Ocean Rain" are beautiful to finish. I also really like the album cover, the purple background is cool. This was really awesome, a perfect example of what I've loved about this album thing. This is making its way into the rotation for sure, I hit play again as soon as it ended. Favorite song: The Killing Moon Other: Silver, Nocturnal Me, Crystal Days, The Yo Yo Man, Thorn of Crowns, Seven Seas, My Kingdom, Ocean Rain 3/16/24

Немного напомнило атмосферой Morphine. При этом как-то музыкально очень круто в меня попало. В целом хочется запомнить сегодняшний момент:)

I've listened to this album before in the past and it didn't really stick. Glad I got to give it another go because I really enjoyed it. The Killing Moon is so good, it feels like a resolution to a story. Still some weird / boring tracks in there but I think it's worth it.

I wish I found this album in high school

This album gets better and better every time I hear it. Rating: 4.8

I realized that I mostly knew Echo and the Bunnymen from 80s movie soundtracks, including "Lost Boys" and "Pretty in Pink." This album is one that I wish I had had back in the 80s, as I know it would have been a favorite. "The Killing Moon" is an incredible song I've not spent enough time with, and "Silver" is a new favorite. I've always liked Ian McCulloch's voice, and I really loved the orchestration of this music. It was interesting and enjoyable and made me quite happy today.

I have loved the song The Killing Moon since I first heard it shortly after its release. It’s such an incredibly-crafted song - one of the very best of the 80s. Somehow this never translated into my listening to this album. As a fan or orchestra in pop I really missed out. The lush strings give the album a darker, cinematic tone. Still there are lighter cinematic moments to enjoy. Crystal Days had me happily be-bopping along, but that orchestra lifts the song above being a lightweight 80’s confection. I love it! This is one of my favorite albums of the 80s. I’m glad I found it even if it took nearly 40 years.

Såg dem -83 i nån jympasal i Hultsfred. Då var det bra och nu är det bra.

Dásamleg plata. Emo meets nýrómantík. Mikið orchestra. The Killing Moon eitt af stórkostlegustu lögum 80s.

Ei nyt yhtään missään järjestyksessä, mutta mulla on surkea mieli ja halusin kuunnella jotain tuttua ja turvallista ja aidosti hyvää, joten tää, halaa minua kuin lämmin peitto, on ollut rakas alusta asti ja oon monet itkut tätä kuunnellessani itkenyt, muistan yhdenkin kesän Ateenassa, 40 asteen helteessä hikoilin ja itkin - en enää muista mitä itkin, mutta Ocean Rain auttoi silloinkin.

Det är ett så stabilt album. Detta är allt the smiths önskade att de var. Det är deppigt det är gitarrigt det är poppigt utan att vara sockersött.

British 84's post-punk. The band's fourth album. Since 1984 the album has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry. Great! Will listen it again many times.

Uno de los momentos más bellos del pop de guitarras de los 80.