Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Good but won’t revisit
Oh I really don't like it. Maybe the guy's voice?
Feels like they are ahead of their time. I’d like them to be the soundtrack to my coming of age 90s indie film.
A few dirges, but it does contain The Killing Moon. So it's great. Pretty sure that's Wooky Hole.
Great enjoyment was had with this!
Echo & the Bunnymen are really good at gothic, gloomy rock and they do it again on Ocean Rain. McCulloch sounds great here but there are moments he almost seems to be doing a Jim Morrison thing and it actually kinda works. This album is awesome but it’s not as consistently awesome as Porcupine, still great stuff though. 4 stars
Very nice album, I loved it a lot. I wasn't too familiar with them, but already really like the killing moon before listening. The rest was also very enjoyable.
4/5 I'm such a big fan of post-punk, and I really liked Echo And The Bunnymen already, so this was a treat to listen to. The Killing Moon is obviously the star of this album, but all other songs were also really nice.
3,5
2 sterne
😐
Great
Good album, I've only ever heard their big hits but I looked it!
Super cool album! I was impressed especially because this is not usually my style of music but it’s strikingly beautiful, moody, catchy, and grand.
# Album Name: Ocean Rain # Artist: Echo And The Bunnymen # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: I thought this was a good listen. Solid timing. Not too long. Killing moon the obvious standout. # Top Tunes: Silver / Nocturnal me / killing moon / 7 seas # Would I listen to it again? Yes
weird and dark, there are a few stand out moments i love when they go unga unga dont think this will end on my rotation but a fun listen
This is the first Echo album that I have listened to fully. I read some of the wikipedia which says that this got mixed reviews upon release, and if thats true, I cant wait to hear the other albums. I thought this was very good. Maybe a little self-indulgent, or a popular band on their 4th record. Most of the songs were good pop bangers accentuated with orchestral parts. Some songs were a little cringy, I'm thinking mostly of Nocturnal Me, but maybe that's what they were going for as proto-edgelord gothy 80s types. All in all, I enjoyed the listen.
It's rare for a rock album to make the lead vocals the centerpiece as often as this one does. There are some nice instrumentals here - "Crystal Days" has satisfying clattering drums and there are some scratchy guitars I like. But when Ian McCulloch is singing everything goes quiet: the guitars are fainter, the drums are sometimes imperceptible, and a nocturnal ambience prevails. If the lyrics were so impactful as to carry the songs this would make sense. But McCulloch doesn't quite have that presence, despite the frequent Jim Morrison comparisons. "Killing Moon" stands out as a fuller post punk song, but all too often songs stick to jangly acoustic guitar and thumping bass. While the vocals are strong, they don't quite fill the gaps this seems to have.
5/10 - nice background music, something you would hear on Radio 2
You know... I rather liked this aperitivo. The vocals were clear and melodic, "The Killing Moon" brings back some wonderful memories, and overall it wasn't crushingly depressing.
I’ve never been a huge Echo fan. This album was ok, not great and I would not go out of my way to listen to it again.
There was something about this that was really good and interesting
This was fine. They sounded pleasant enough, lyrics were kinda just throwaways for the most part. Nothing really felt special or revolutionary with this.
was only familiar with Seven Seas & Killing Moon. really enjoyed rest of album. the addition of orchestral instruments creates a different, bigger sound & goes well against the vocals.
This is so good. Love the orchestral feel, it really suits their style. Never really paid much attention to them back in the day and it’s been good to catch up
would be pretty easy to dismiss this as The Killing Moon and eight other songs, and like.....it's easy because it's true. but i just can't bring myself to not enjoy this kind of jangly, gothy proto-indie. just my kind of thing, man
I'm sure it's cliche but man The Killing Moon is a great song.
Love it as much as I did in high school
Hyvää alt rokkia tai mitä post punkkia onkaan. Vähän erilaista folk ja teatraalis viboilla. Vähän tulwe R.E.M mieleen. Parhaat: Nocturnal Me, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas
Bastante bueno, música de los 80, estandar. Nada de que quejarme.
It’s not so offensively bad as to deserve 1 star, but I have no idea why someone would want to listen to this album.
I was very surprised by this, the dark ambiance mixed with the new wave sound was excellent. It deserves another listen or two.
I'm only using these words to convey my sentiments on this album because it's a British group, but the fact that they're British doesn't impact my thinking on this. But this is music for pretentious wankers.
A good album but not as good as Porcupine.
Forgettable but I can see how people would like it
I like the orchestral addition and The Killing Moon is a classic. 3/5.
Mysterious. Just sounds like the 80s but more artsy. Not much stood out to me except for the lyrics, which were pretty psychedelic.
Very good
Muito bom, nem reconheci a banda pelo nomr, mad a única música deles que conhecia é deste álbum - The Killing Moon. Acho que é a melhor também, mas gostei de tudo!
Good. "The Killing Moon" is one of the best songs of the decade imo. Some good depth here shows it wasn't a one-off for the band at that time.
Just okay
must be my love of the cure/the smiths spilling over into my love for this album, but its really good
actually really good
Haway, this is far too much echo and the bunnymen for this list, we need one album at most. Don't really have anything to say about this that i didn't say for the first one. It straddles 80s pop and 80s indie, though more of the former than the latter. I don't mind the mix but hard to pick any parts that really stood out. Wouldn't go back i think, serves me right for saying id need to hear more to make an opinion after the first album. I've made my opinion now, 2.5, don't need any more.
Quite liked this, it hit well. Nocturnal Me, The Yo Yo Man, and Thorn of Crowns were the standouts. Could have sworn it was mid-00s indie music. Sort of shows how forgettable they are - this is the third Echo and the Bunnymen album on this list I've listened to. A strong 3.5.
This is more what I think echo and the bunnymen sound like. Killing moon is great. The opening track too. Some of the rest is on the verge of being too 80s for me. Still good though 3.5
I really enjoyed this one. Thought it was very atmospheric. I liked the style of it a lot and could definitely see myself listening to it again. Fav song: The Killing Moon - also liked Seven Seas and My Kingdom Least fav: Thorn of Crowns
Their first four album covers seem to show a journey the band are taking together and the music of this album makes me feel like I'm on this quest with them. I'm not certain where we're going but I think we're going to make it! Favourite song: Seven Seas Least: Thorn of Crowns (bit too odd at points but I still liked it!)
I want to start by talking about how "Nocturnal Me" got me wondering for the whole day where did I listen to that song before. Turns out, it was apparently used as an ending for an episode of the "Stranger Things" series. I've never saw it, but my sister was a hardcore fanatic of the franchise, so it had to be that. Anecdotes aside, this is a great post-punk / goth / jangle pop that makes a great use of a string orchestra to create some beautiful and epic passages. Another thing that stands out is the combination of both the happy sound of the jangle pop and the more moody side of goth. For example, the opener "Silver" starts with a very uplifting melodies and passionate voice, while the next track, "Nocturnal Me" fits incredibly well the more moody and cold sound of the goth music. I have to say that I don't think this album has the strongest or most memorable material from these styles, but it is still a very pleasant experience and sounds quite well.
Cool but not bangin
5 for killing moon just itself
Clasdic 80s New Wave. Killing Moon is a highlight.
meh, la verdad le tenia mas expectativas, es bastante flojito el album, esperaba algo mas afilado pero es demasiado ambiental sin terminar de ser psicodelico
mid
not that bad
Relaxing
Nice. That's all. The New Wave vibe works wonders.
Overall a good album. Very representative of the DarkWave music of the time. Some songs are great. Some are too earnest by half. But always a fun listen.
Lovely. Holds up pretty well across the board.
Another great album by a band I love. There’s definitely a lot more I haven’t listened to on here than have. Probably my least favourite of their albums on this list but it’s still 5 stars. I find it’s a bit more disorganised and I get mood whiplash between songs. There’s the darker songs (e.g Nocturnal Me and Yo-Yo Man) and then there’s the brighter songs (like Silver and Crystal Days) and they’ll be right next to each other. That said, love most of the songs on here. Seven Seas makes me happy and I think it has their only great music video. Of course, I think everyone should listen to The Killing Moon at least once. I wish I could re-experience hearing it for the first time, and that first time not being while moving boxes in a dusty shop. A side note on The Killing Moon: I get the Ocean Rain of it all but the moment I heard it I immediately pictured running through corn fields at night, past sinister scarecrows, with only the moon to guide you. The water aesthetic with the music video bothers me because I don’t associate the song with water at all.
2.0
So sophisticated and mysterious. Great album to enjoy a glass of wine and forget about the life
This is second Echo and The Bunnymen album in this list and I liked this one more than the first one.
I thought I knew the Bunnymen. I’ve seen them live (wife’s fault), I know the singles, I know the coat‑and‑cigarette vibe. But this is the first time I’ve actually sat and listened to an album all the way through and… excuse me? Why did nobody tell me it was this good? Honestly, I feel like I’ve turned up late to a party that everyone else swears they invited me to. Verdict: Blown away. Mildly annoyed at myself for not doing this sooner.
Decent 3,5
Punk suavecito Usaron una banda/orquesta para la confección de este álbum, se pueden percibir la variedad de instrumentos en su producción Thorn of Crowns mi favorita
"The Killing Moon" is a creative grandiose pop hit. The rest of the album is what would otherwise be interesting dark, brooding symphonic pop/rock that is brought down by cliche 80's production.
The cheery upside to post punk, has a bit of a loose Doors-style energy against the new age of sounds
"Thorn of Crowns" is just odd. Sounds like the band was just goofing around, making noises and playing with the echo features on the recording equipment. "Killing Moon" is their big hit here, and is the strongest track. I could say more, but it isn't necessary because this is yet another album that makes me question why it made it on this list.
The Killing Moon Seven Seas
At this point I am 94% sure the author filled the last 450 spots with random English music, what am I doing with my life?
It's got that 60s psychedelic vibe mixed with 90s/2000s alt-rock, all while keeping their post-punk stuff, but made bigger and better. "The Killing Moon" is amazing, and the whole second half, from "Seven Seas" to the closing title track, is killer. Some parts are a bit weird, like "Thorn of Crowns", but that's what makes it cool.
Not bad, but not for me.
This is aggressively mediocre. It would have gotten an additional star or two if a competent lyricist was involved. It sounds like the lyrics were outsourced to a teen in their "I'm profound and special" stage. Delivery of said lyrics wasn't reprehensible, however. I dig the Lizard King vibes on Thorn of Crowns. Still, better as an instrumental album for me
It's okay. Can't imagine myself coming back to much, there are other better things of a similar style available
Underrated gem from the early 80s, with the requisite synths, strings and lush arrangements. 'The Killing Moon' needs no introduction, but I was less familiar with the other songs. No particular other standouts, but they are all good, with clever lyrics, beautiful music and great vocals.
Very Doors-y, very 80s.
This was a chore
4.5 - Great
The Cure without the depression
I really like The Killing Moon. The rest of this ranges from just ok to pretty good.
Decent. Only recognised one song though.
meh kinda generic
V good
Enjoyed that more than I thought I would
Not my favourite album by them but a nice listen
Was only familiar with The Killing Moon, rest of the album slaps
Vocals are like nails on a chalkboard
Ka e vitsen med å høre på det her når man kan høre på The Smiths? Eller omvendt, æ vet ikke.
Outside of their cover of "People Are Strange" and "The Killing Moon", I've remained ignorant of the band. I wouldn't have gotten it when I was younger, but I dig it now.
This was okay.
not mi vibe
I knew and really liked Killing Moon before this. Hadn't heard the rest. Good stuff.
I know very little of this album beyond The Killing Moon so I was excited to dig in deeper, but in the end this record didn't grab me at all. I was hoping for somber, haunting tracks, but the mood was unpredictable, the guitar was light and felt detached from the rest of the songs, and the vocals seemed worse. Not for me I guess.
Mwa, zaten vage nummers tussen
Echo & the Bunnymen were the band that the ultra mega cool kids liked in high school. I liked this one well enough, I guess. Killing Moon will always be the fave on this record.
A landmark album that serves as the missing link between the psychedelia of the 60s and the Britpop explosion of the 90s. While I hadn't listened to much of the band previously, the influence here is undeniable. You can hear the blueprints for Suede, Pulp, Cast, and especially The Divine Comedy in the sweeping orchestral arrangements and dramatic vocal delivery. It proves that 'Indie' guitar music doesn't have to be gritty or lo-fi; it can be grand, cinematic, and beautiful. Tracks like 'The Killing Moon' are timeless, and Will Sergeant's textured guitar work is a masterclass in atmosphere over ego. A vital history lesson.
I really liked it! I’d only heard the most popular songs but I liked the rest a lot too, will definitely listen again. Really easy listening and great moody vibes it’s low key but still engaging all the way through.
Better than the other Echo album I heard during my first 100 days.
More enjoyable than I thought, but also totally unmemorable. I only listened to the album about an hour ago and no song or melodies are lingering.
Started out annoyed by this, really grew on me as it went and was taken on a journey. Finished too early for me to fully love it though.
Overall, very enjoyable with a couple bangers!
7.0/10 Liked this one quite a bit. They have such a cool sound. There were some really solid tunes but others didn’t hit for me. Will definitely come back and listen to this one again.
Good not great
‘Silver’ is a great album opener it makes me feel like one of those practical magic witches. The use of strings elevate the track alongside the vocals. ‘The Killing Moon’ is an iconic track!! “under a blue moon I saw you” It’s definitely one of my favourites on the album alongside the Title Track and closer. It’s a good post-punk/ psychedelic rock! The mood and atmosphere created by the album in my mind were laced with wilted roses in a gothic manor, endlessly aching for love to reach it. Ratings wise it’s a 4/5 again!-GEMV (27.01.2026)
An album and a band i will have to explore deeper, what a blast i had
I have always liked Echo and the Bunnymen - not fanatical - I never bought any albums. They were on mixtapes that I made. It was a pleasure to hear this album all the way through since I don't know when.
Better than other echo and bunnymen albums. Killing moon is great and there are 1 or 2 other songs that were interesting but the rest was pretty forgettable
Wechselt sich ab zwischen luftigeren und düsteren Songs, gefällt mir ziemlich gut. Erinnert mich angenehm an The Cure.
Odd tracking given that the back half is far superior to the front half
This feels more modern than 1984. The arrangement and flow clearly influenced what came after.
nada que decir. Muy lejos de ser de mi agrado. No le encuentro gracia
Overraskende helt ok.
A bit more pop. Probably the peak of the band's output. An enjoyable ride even if it isn't one that I will likely be spinning too often.
I liked the Beatles cover. A bit of a fun David Bowie vibe.
A bit too dour and proto-indie for me, but some of the orchestration on this really lifts it
Something happens in my brain when you take a chord to its sustained 4th and then back again. And apparently Echo & The Bunnymen got the memo because they pull that simple trick multiple times and now I think I liked this album a lot more than I really did. I gave them one star for 'Crocodiles'. I'm not sure how they got so much better in just four years but I'll gladly listen to this again.
I had a vague idea of EATB and knew Killing Moon, but I wasnt expecting it to be so goth! Some nice choices of chords and instrumentation. Killing Moon is very much the standout, but the whole thing worked nicely. A good 4.
Elsker det ikke. Men syntes det var mye mer givende enn annen post-punk jeg har hørt. Liker at det er så mange forskjellige instrumenter på albumet.
Ganske greit, ikke heeelt min greie. 2/5
Innbyr til gjenhør, syntes det var mye fint og bra. Stemning. 3-4
195/1001 Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ Having thoroughly enjoyed Crocodiles earlier, this continued my enjoyment of this band. I've always loved The Killing Moon and honestly don't know why I never did a deep dive into this band. The combination of post-punk and goth go hand in hand and this is more fully realised by the band here.
I already knew The Killing Moon but that was it. I think I enjoyed the rest of this, gave it a few spins, obviously not a record that reveals itself on the first listen, but left me wanting more.
Endelig et album med dem her hvor sangene passer perfekt til hans stemme. Stor 4
Det er klart den mest kendte Echo & the Bunnymen plade af dem vi har haft, tror jeg, men jeg synes egentlig ikke den var massivt bedre end de andre. Men den er nok lidt mere weird! Mindre traditionel post-punk. Synes det er ret fedt, de har alle sammen været ret fede
Nice! Did not know they were the ones who made The Killing Moon, since I've only ever heard Pavements (great) cover of it.
It's one of the albums that I own and do like a lot. On listening again, I'm not sure about the song Thorn of Crows. The yelping/hollering doesn't do it for me. However, this is more than made up for by the incredible double punch straight after of Killing Moon and Seven Seas. 4 out of 5 stars for this.
the killing moon в моєму плейлисті багато років, чудова пісня, альбом повністю ніколи не слухала, загалом норм, та не викликає бажання переслуховувати
Aside from The Killing Moon and maybe Silver I really didn't get a whole lot out of Ocean Rain. The general sound is good but nothing to entice more than your run-of-the-mill Post-Punk record. Most tracks just kind of linger and don't really have anything to them compositionally. The melodies aren't catchy or memorable, each track just kind of feeling like a sparkly shroud of emptiness masquerading as some deep mysterious experience. The only track that effectively uses its gloomy atmosphere is The Killing Moon, which is certainly the track that the majority of people know Echo & The Bunnymen for. Silver is a fun enough song as well, but certainly not revolutionary. The rest is just really hard for me to appreciate; the production isn't bad the lyrics and vocals on some tracks definitely are. McCulloch is not a bad vocalist by any means, but the way he chooses to use his voice on tracks like Thorn of Crowns just doesn't do it for me. If their goal was for certain tracks to make you uncomfortable, then pull a switcheroo into an upbeat Jangle-Pop song, they certainly accomplished it. I think the songs are just too structureless. You can make a gloomy album that doesn't follow traditional Pop compositions, but with the absence of catchy choruses and fun melodies there needs to be something to latch onto. The Killing Moon is alright, but I'll probably skip the rest most days of the week.
Nocturnal me is familiar but else wise…1
I mostly enjoyed this. I think the only thing I had heard off of here was "The Killing Moon" but also enjoyed "Seven Seas" "My Kingdom" "Silver" and "Yo Yo Man"
This was interesting. I never heard of this group before and I probably never would have if it wasn’t for this list. It was weird but I liked it. I may give it another listen.
Huh; wierd 80s theme rock, but I dig it
Meh.
I had never heard of Echo and the Bunnymen up until now and was surprisingly pleased to do so. The record feels like a mix between the eccentricity by Talking Heads, the drama from The Smiths and also some of the music from The Cure. Loved the orchestra the haunting feeling of these songs (recommend listening to it at night as its mores fitting to the overall vibe). Standout tracks to me were Silver, Nocturnal Me (my absolute favorite) and Seven Seas.
Autant que je veux chialer, je dois bien avouer que l’album était une coche supérieure à la moyenne d’album post-punk de la liste. J’suis juste ÉREINTÉ guys, un peu de variété c’est tout ce que je veux dans une listes des 1001 MEILLEURS ALBUMS.
the killing moon és la bso de donnie darko!! prou sin más m'he avorrit un poc
For a vibe its okay
Perfect encapsulation of 1984
decent vibes, I’d listen to this again
7 seas
It's one of those albums that became background music and that I forgot I was listening to.
Killing Moon is an amazing song, maybe one of the best "rock/pop-rock" songs ever written/made. However, most of the album is just good to very good and doesn't really rise to 5 stars for me, even as a fan of the band. Unfortunately, despite loving the band, there's only one album of theirs that I think is 4.5-5 stars, which is actually their 2001 album, "Flowers," as it is unshackled from their 80's output and creates something fresh and beautiful. For their 80's to 90's songs, I prefer their "Greatest Hits" to get all the peaks from the albums.
Alright good chill album
It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it was an unexceptional album with a vibe that doesn't work for me. Bummer; I kinda liked the other Echo album on this list. 2.2
Perty cool
NO
Not my favorite Echo & the Bunnymen record but still great. Crocodiles is by far the best record for a whole host of reasons but primarily because the edges had not been sawed off in the production. By this record the sheen of the new wave had been grafted onto the production making for a smoother less angular Echo. Ian’s voice is spectacular with the vocals slightly back in the mix which makes this a more poppy leaning record. The record still has some classic tracks and arguably their best know track - The Killing Moon which is still a great track no matter how many times you play it. And perhaps that is the sign of a true classic- no matter how overplayed it may be you still enjoy the track. There are several equally terrific tracks, that didn’t receive popular radio play but deserve to be heard along with The Killing Moon, including Ocean Rain, Silver which is a terrific opener and sets the mood for the record, Seven Seas which follows the Killing Moon, and Thorn of Crowns with it’s exotic rhythms and angular guitar work. Will Sargent is really the music engine in this band and the guitar work is spectacular accentuating each song and working in concert with Ian’s singing. I get the Jim Morrison comparisons especially on songs like Crown of Thorns, but the guitar work truly is a distinctive and so unique it is instantly recognizable. Much like Johnny Marr’s work with The Smiths. As Always, one must ask is it perfect? Unfortunately, no. Yo Yo Man is a bit of a let down - just an average track perhaps to make use of the Orchestra but it stands out as a little weaker amongst these tracks. To be honest it sounds like it was written by Julian Cope, who Ian was in the Crucial Three with Pete Wylie prior to forming Exho. Overall 9/10
6.5/10 - good but for a specific time and feeling
Troisième album après 'Crocodiles' et 'Porcupine' que j'avais assez appréciés (notés tous les deux 3/5). Ce nouvel album est un peu différent des 2 autres : la section rythmique m’a semblé plus en retrait (en particulier la basse), et des interventions orchestrales ont été introduites (heureusement plutôt discrètes, je crains souvent ce genre d’apport …). Je pense que je l’écouterais de nouveau, mais comme les 2 autres il ne rejoindra pas ma collection (il manque un petit quelque chose pour me le faire totalement apprécier). =>3/5
*looks at the photographer for the cover art* It... it can't be
What a nice album to start the year with! I recognize the cover, but not the music. Reminds me of some wavyer Cure or sth?
good! but wouldnt listen again
Oh to be cursed witn having made a song as good as “The Killing Moon”. Incredible vocal performance and definitely an influential sound. It's just that there's not a single track that is anywhere as close as "The Killing Moon".
2.5
I love the Killing Moon so much but the rest of the album bled together a bit, I think I will like it more on repeated listens.
Solid 80s vibes
Fuck this is rough.
Album 1002 of 1089 Ocean Rain - Echo And The Bunnymen (1984) Rating : 3.5 / 5 This is a band I’ve always enjoyed when I heard them, but one I never really spent the time to sit down with and get to know. This album helped change that. It was a smooth, easy listen that moved along quickly and never felt like work. There’s a strong mood running through the whole thing - dark without being heavy, atmospheric without being overbearing. The songs flow together nicely, and the production gives everything a cohesive feel that pulls you in rather than demanding attention. Nothing here feels rushed or forced; it all unfolds at a comfortable pace. I remember seeing Echo & the Bunnymen on the charts back in the day, but for whatever reason, I never sought them out beyond the radio. Listening to Ocean Rain now makes me realize that was probably a miss on my part. The songwriting is solid, the arrangements are tasteful, and there’s a confidence to their sound that holds up really well. This is one I’ll definitely go back to. Nice songs, nice sounds, and a consistent tone throughout. A very pleasant and rewarding listen.
A low 4/5, at first it was just ok, a straight 3/5, but after a while it kind of grew more on me so as of now it's a low 4/5
I feel somewhat disappointed by this one, I liked The Killing Moon and Silver before today and I was hoping the rest of the album would be at least as good.
The second half is much better than the first, but not enough save this album. The Killing Moon is a song I already knew and I love a lot, but I never listened to the album it's featured on before, so my hopes were pretty high unfortunately. Not a bad album but eh, just expected better
One of the most iconic 80s songs and a bunch of other moody 80s songs. 7/10
it was good, but I got kinda bored/wouldn’t put it on again- I liked the last two songs best
Lovey the orchestral sweep of this with the indie vibe. Killing Moon is rightfully a classic.
Brilliant, perfect, moving album by Echo and the Bunnymen. Killing Moon of course the classic track that’s now overused in movies and TV. Much of the music of then now is outdated, but this one is still fresh to my ears! 5⭐️
This is probably the most lauded album of the sister rock genre. Anyone surveyed that has a sister has a great love for this. I think the Murphy family was no sisters didn’t know about this record, but I think they’re coming around to it. I’m not sure if Crystalyn has a sister, but we’ll find out.
"Crystal Days" and "The Killing Moon" vastly outweigh every other track on here, which are all fine, but nothing I'd ever seek out
Overwrought gothic whimsy with a punk edge. Loved the orchestral elements. Some of these lyrics are a bit much. Solid 3/5. Others did it better.
My listening conditions weren't optimal with my toddler screaming through some of the later songs. I was familiar with the more popular songs off of this album like Killing Moon. I honestly thought I would like it more and maybe the listening conditions of the day were a detractor. But I also might just be getting past my more gothy days as a middle aged man and I have a little less patience for some of the singing on here
Decent listen but didn't grab me
Seven Seas was my favorite track. Overall it was a fine album, not something I will revisit but pretty good
I would I thought I would like this more than I did. It’s more of a chamber pop than really alt rock/new wave as in their other albums.
Only know the band through the singles. This is a strong offering showing a lot more. Pretty well produced and the track ordering works well.
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Ocean Rain is impeccably moody, carefully arranged, and very much of its era. The sweeping strings, dramatic pacing, and brooding atmosphere all do exactly what they’re supposed to do. I get why this album has endured as a touchstone of mid-80s alternative romanticism. That said, it doesn’t give me much to hold onto. The mood is consistent, but it rarely deepens into something that feels personal or surprising. Instead of pulling me in, it keeps me at a tasteful distance. I appreciate the ambition and the commitment to atmosphere, but the songs themselves don’t stick with me in a way that invites return listens. I love plenty of 80s music, but this isn’t the corner of the decade I’d reach for. It’s not bad by any means. It’s just… fine. Respectable, well made, historically understandable, and ultimately not very compelling for me. A straightforward three stars.
not bad for a bunch of British indie blokes
This was okay thought I’d like it more
Unexpectedly surprise - this is pretty good!
I didnt really get the lyrics Bit messy in the begginujg Mid singing Killing moon and seven seas was good
8/10 Favourite: The Killing Moon Least Favourite: Crown of Thorns
dreamy playful postpunk. for me too bland and playful, going nowhere
First of all, easily one of the best album covers of all time. Really encapsulates the beautiful, dreamyness of the music. That said, generally this album isn't really my type of post-punk. It's a little too upbeat and happy for my tastes, but starting at Thorn of Crowns, the album really picks up for me, particularly with the song The Killing Moon. So yeah, took a while for me to get into it, but once I did, it's a really great record.
3 1/2. There are a couple of great songs.
A few good songs. I think I’ll listen to it a few more times.
Excellent
The songs don't blow me away so much but I do like his voice. The Killing Moon is a great song.
First time listening to this band and a little disappointed I’m not more engaged, despite their reputation. Singer sounds like a combo of a lesser Bono meets Jim Morrison. Some of the guitar work is interesting and atmosphere is unique enough but the songs are pretty boring. Maybe if I was an emo teen in rainy 80’s England I’d feel differently. Or maybe they just have a memorable name. Favorite song: Seven Seas
Compared to other post-rock albums, I enjoyed "Ocean Rain". I always thought Echo and the Bunnymen was a cool band name. "Ocean Rain" could've gotten a higher rating if it didn't have that 80's feel. "Nocturnal Me" was my favourite from the album. Let's see what today brings. 3 stars for "Ocean Rain".
Album # 2 Echo and the Bunnymen: Ocean Rain Before I started listening to the 1001 album list, I had listened to around 400 albums, most of which came in the last year and a half, as before that, I would tend to only listen to albums of bands that I truly became infatuated with through individual songs. It was rare for me to become obsessed with a band to the point that I would desire to listen to all their songs in album form; it was a feat that only seven bands were able to achieve in the first few years of my actively listening to music. At the time, I was only really familiar with the most famous bands of all time, the Beatles, ACDC, Led Zeppelin, etc, so any band, even a notch lower in popularity, felt like finding a hidden gem. Now that I am more knowledgeable about music, I expected to see at least 5, and likely 6, of those 7 formative bands on this list. I now write this having heard around 401 albums since this is only the second album I have had generated, and to my great surprise, it is an album from that very seventh formative band, whose inclusion I would not have anticipated on this list, Echo and the Bunnymen. It is not that I feel they are unworthy of this list, as they are no doubt one of the most important and influential post-punk bands of all time. But I suppose their lack of cultural impact within my generation has led me to become naive about just how high they truly do rank amongst the musical hierarchy. I was first introduced to the band, like many, through their iconic single "The Killing Moon," which is, for my money, one of the most entrancing and magical songs of all time. Hearing it for the first time compares to my experiences with songs like "Made of Stone" by the Stone Roses, and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" by the Smiths. A song that once you've heard it, you just know that it was made for you. Listening to Ocean Rain in its entirety became the only natural conclusion after hearing a song with such a timeless quality to it, to the point that it remained in my top 5 most listened songs in each year since I've heard it. And the album absolutely does not let down its shining star, like so often with one-hit-wonder albums (which Echo and the Bunnymen most certainly aren't). Beautiful poetry layered with enchanting instrumentals that pull you into this dark yet exciting world. Never a dull moment, and not a single bad track, and if you think otherwise, you must be a c-c-c-cucumber. Though I have heard almost every Bunnymen album at this point, Ocean Rain remains my most cherished, and holds a definite spot in my top ten albums of all time, the album which enhanced my love for 80's music and introduced me to the idea of post-punk. A very warranted inclusion in the list, and I have a feeling it will be a while until something compares to my second album. Best Tracks: Killing Moon, Nocturnal Me, Angels and Devils Worst Track: None Score out of 10: 10
- This album is definitely a vibe, atmospheric and dark, for the most part. - It definitely turns very Nick Cave around the middle, and I prefer the other tracks that are more pop-tinged and feel more uniquely Echo and the Bunnymen. - Killing Moon is the biggest banger on here, and yeah, his voice is very Bono here. Seven Seas is also really great. - The lyrics feel a bit forced.
Quite nondescript. Some doors influences I appreciate but otherwise not too bothered with this
nothing really did it for me.
Not bad, just not my jam
Boring
It was ok. A bit bland, with a good song thrown in here and there Rounding up to a 3 ⭐️
Did not like one second of this. Cannot understand the appeal.
A bit of a mixed bag for me, listening to the band for the first time. I enjoy joining the dots in music history, and you can hear the Bowie influence here, as well as the influence they must've had on the baggy Manchester music scene a few years later. However, I found several songs pretty grating for some reason; maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this today, and I would've loved it on a different day.
Lot of 5 star rating in the reviews. But I'm not a fan. It was okay, but not going on my playlist.
8/10 pretty good
Too boring and too 80s.
Great atmospheric album. Liked the production, and the lyrics too. Probably need another, more careful listen, to appreciate it fully.
interesting
First Listen: 4.5 I already knew The Killing Moon quite well, so I was excited to hear the whole album. It could likely become a 5 with a few more listens. On second listen: yeah, this is a 5. I'd say this is more of a night album
Echo and the Bunnymen, could have become as big as U2 and their music was just as good. This album was very enjoyable.
I saw Echo live due to wanting to see the support band, who cancelled and never played again. This is a pretty unremarkable album aside from the obvious standout, which is wonderful. The very embodiment of a 3.
Was looking forward to listening to this through but was kind of underwhelmed by it. ‘The killing moon’ stands heads and shoulders over the rest of it where some of them sounded like incomplete demos somehow, ‘thorn of crowns’ in particular. Sounds like it needed a bit more polish and finesse than what was presented.
Decent. Did not really pop for me.
Okay.
Wound up hearing this, like, three times yesterday, and each time there were moments I thought I liked it and others when it was just fine. They sort of straddle a line between The Smiths and The Cure, wch isn't a bad thing. Can't say any track really grabbed me; maybe "Killing Moon."
Feel like I need to give this one another go at some point.
Real enjoyment out of this macabre, 60s meet unwavering album. Also killing moon
album is decent but nocturnal me is amazing
Wasn't in any way blown away by the album, but I liked it. Some great tracks, the hit single 'The Killing moon' is one to cherish.
A shorter review today as I don't have the time to write more. When alternative radio came to Pittsburgh in the mid-80's (where I lived and still do), The Killing Moon was one of the songs that got me hooked to the alt scene. I have been there ever since. I haven't listened to this album in many years, but I loved it then and I love it now. Thorn of Crowns isn't my favorite song in the world, but it doesn't take away from the rest where there isn't a trackI don't thoroughly enjoy.
Sounds like this could have been released in the 90's, not 1984. Loved the orchestrations.
it wasn't acceptable in the 80s
This album is an absolute masterpiece, and its the best record to come out of the entire post-punk movement. The Killing Moon alone is one of the best songs of the 80s. The whole album feels like a dream state, full of darkness, melancholy and sadness. Instead of being a rock album with some strings in the background, the orchestral compositions is fully woven into the music and blends with the band perfectly. To create something that is truly outstanding and beautiful.
Sounds like every indie band from the North West
Meandering and boring. Has no discernible direction other than being uninteresting. Decent opening track then devolves into an entirely skippable album. Hard pass
Mellow 80s rock, all kind of sounded the same, it was ok
Kind of that "awesome idea" you had the other night that turned out to be not so great once you got sober.
Excellent, I only knew The Killing Moon before but I enjoyed the rest of the album to a similar degree, I liked Nocturnal Me the second most
This is a pretty good new wave album. It's certainly better than some of the other new wave albums on this list in terms of songwriting. Tracks like "Nocturnal Me" and "The Killing Moon" have a foreboding, melancholy quality to them that, while far from unique, works well in this context. However, it does have some weak tracks("Thorn of Crowns" is terrible).
I haven’t got a lot to say. This is simply great music.
Good variety. Creative
I like it, like a more orchestral Cure.
Hat mir absolut gar nichts gegeben.
Hat mich nicht gekriegt.
Schöne 80s/Post-Punk-Songs. Überraschend poppig.
Schön abwechslungsreich, aber insgesamt ist da gefühlt zu viel gewollt
Hmm, eigentlich ganz cool, aber ich bin zumindest beim ersten Mal noch nicht reingekommen.
Schönes Album. Fällt für mich leider zum Ende hin etwas ab und verliert Schwung.
Good vibes overall
Very Echoey, the knob was turned high on all the vocals. I love the song on the Donnie Darko soundtrack, and the rest of the album is just as dark and moody.
I like this album just fine but to get this the day after Disintegration, it just makes the Bunnymen’s version of gothic pop seem like kiddie stuff. I feel bad because I am a fan of the album and have been for a while but in this context I’m giving it a 5/10. Favorite tracks-“Silver” “Thorn of Crowns” and “The Killing Moon”
Let's be honest, "The Killing Moon" is enough quality by itself to get an album onto this list. That said, there's a lot of great stuff besides that. Top album.
The new wave style of this album is similar to that of Terry's, had he not been a Christian artist, that is. My favorite track is Nocturnal Me.
Fine enough
Not a huge fan, this must be how people who say they don’t like U2 feel about U2
Enjoyed the variety on this album
Got into these guys relatively recently after doing a deep dive on 80’s synth pop, new wave and new romantic music. They have a couple of solid albums but this might be my favourite one.
Had heard about this band but never bothered to listen to them. I liked this album. Will listen to it again
Killing Moon! I say goddamn, what a tune! Everything else not so much.
Still a great band name
I understand why this worked in 1984 but it did not work for me in 2025
that one familiar song is good but i dunno, not too fond of echo or the bunnymen
love them always have, Ian Mcculloch is a great songwriter and this album was so nice to come back to and listen all the way thru.
E&TB are the Doors to U2s Led Zeppelin - dark and moody to U2s rafter rattling bombast. You can almost here Jim Morrison singing The Yo Yo Man. Some excellent guitar flourishes. Quality.
As a whole, it's OK, but a couple of tracks like The Killing Moon are great!
drei bis vier
Not bad, but mostly indistinguishable from the Smiths, Pixies, and the Cure, for better and worse.
Nothing to dislike, but nothing to distinguish it from other pop bands, except doing something that had been done before, while others had moved on.
A decent enough album, but I don't see myself coming back to it. 3.5*
Wow. What a gem.
8/10
This album lead me to research what the difference between post-punk and new wave is and it seems the most basic difference is that new wave tends to be more pop oriented with more chart potential. Well, if that is the case, the record felt like it walked the line between the two, with the more pop-friendly songs in the latter half starting with "The Killing Moon" -- which happens to be a superb song that has a timeless feel that could be from the 80s, 90s, or 2000s -- and this was the half of the album I enjoyed the most. Aside from "The Killing Moon" my favorites were "My Kingdom" and "Seven Seas."
5.5/10
First time listening to these guys, and I was not disappointed. Feels a bit like The Cure meets Arcade Fire in places. Love the string arrangements. Also, the vocal melody line in Crystal Days reminds me of the track 'Veruca Salt' from the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. Interesting fact. Favourite tracks: Silver, Nocturnal Me, The Yo Yo Man, Thorn of Crowns, The Killing Moon.
This one really grew on me over the course of listening. The orchestration is pretty cool. It’s not my favorite music or record ever, but it’s weird and creative, and it holds your attention throughout the listen.
not too bad, pretty chill and fun
I had to listen twice, it's a little boring. It can roll on in the background of just about anything though.
I dont get all the 5 stars this is getting. It felt extremely generic to me, the type of music I have heard a dozen times on this list.
A lesser version of the Cure that is still pretty damn good. I don't know what any of their other albums sounded like but ¨Ocean Rain¨ is an all time classic. I get what they were trying to do here and I'm here for it! ¨The Killing Moon¨ must be one of the best British songs of all time. Best songs: See above + ¨Seven Seas¨
great album! liked it a lot.
More of a 3.5 - I really like a couple songs (nocturnal me and the killing moon) but the rest are mostly meh. But it gets rounded up to 4 on the strength of those highlights
I've given this band a chance a number of times back in the day, since on paper they should be something I'd enjoy a fair bit. Never "clicked" for me though but since that HAS happened with some bands in the past, I was excited to see if I'd finally "get" this band this time around. Sadly, it still didn't happen. I don't really know what it is. No melodies that'd give me the chills, no grooves or rhythms that'd get me going, singing and lyrics feeling bland too. I'd almost want to like it more, but that just... didn't happen. Such a shame.
Nope. J'aime pas ce style de rock, mélodie en majeur avec ce rythme entêtant et le timbre over-chanté / drama, + quand il y a eu les violons dans les aigus dès le premier son, le seum un peu. D’autres sons pas loin d’être plus ma came, genre il y a des choses que j’ai trouvé vraiment cool et intéressant dans la composition du Noctural Me, The Yoyo-Man et même un peu My Kingdom (les différentes parties vocales en simultané ou légèrement canon, le piano, la rythmique et la manière dont la guitare répond au chant, ça faisait des layers assez harmonieuses et singulières). Mais ça sonne pas hyper abouti je trouve, avec pas mal de répétitions par ailleurs, et la plupart des sons m'ont bien pris la tête donc je lâche mon 2.
beaucoup d'efforts de variation au sein des morceaux, qui ne se reflète pas entre morceaux ceci dit. je ne suis pas convaincue par le ton larmoyant de certaines paroles (ce qui semble être une caractéristique commune à ce type de rock: une voix un peu traînante et suppliante qui me sort un peu de l'écoute par moments). je comprends pourquoi Killing Moon a eu autant de succès, avec cette guitare qui vient ajouter un peu de groove. mais je dois avouer être restée un peu neutre vis-à-vis du reste des titres. un bon album mais sans plus pour moi. un 2.5 arrondi.
All time favourite
“The Killing Moon” is an all time great song. So much so that I think it stands out on this album heads above everything else. Not that the rest is bad. It’s just a collection of some good songs and one masterpiece. 4/5
My third one from Echo And The Bunnymen. They were a band I didn't really know very well before starting this project but I seem to remember liking them well enough. From what I've heard I think this is my least favorite of their albums. It just doesn't flow as nicely as the others. Maybe I'm not giving it enough of a chance. It almost just seems like 'here's a song. Ok now here's another one.' Rinse and repeat. I don't know. Maybe I'll have to listen to it again but about 2/3 of the way through and I'm not exactly wowed by this one. There are things I like - the vocals are great and the arrangements are good. 2.5/5
British Rock - etwas verstaubt
Great band. Great album.
Despite their distinctive sound and an excellent name, Echo and The Bunnymen never secured a place in my early 1980s collection. My listening habits were then dominated by rivals like The Cure, Joy Division, The Smiths, Simple Minds and early U2. "Ocean Rain" is an undeniable four-star effort. Its strength lies in its cohesion: the song writing, arrangement, and performances, across the record, are largely excellent. Furthermore, the album production is timeless, successfully sidestepping the decade's pervasive sonic trends. Yet, for me, it falls short of a five-star rating. The album’s grandiose ambition to be a haunting, epic work is only partially realized. The opening tracks, "Silver" and "Nocturnal Me," immediately establish the new sonic palette, the former with its bright orchestral clarity, the latter with a dark, martial mood. However, the quality dips dramatically mid-album. While "Crystal Days" and "The Yo Yo Man" are fine enough tracks, "Thorn of Crowns" is the primary flaw. Even for a listener like myself, who prioritizes sound over lyrical content, the track's absurd and nearly risible lyrics severely undermine the album’s mood and very nearly achieved a 2/5 rating. Only on "The Killing Moon" does the Bunnymen’s vision achieve flawless execution. This five-star track fuses mysterious lyrics, a magnificent arrangement, superb dynamics, Ian McCulloch’s towering vocal, and Will Sergeant’s signature guitar flourishes into a perfect whole. It is echoed closely in quality by the single "Seven Seas" and the equally powerful title track. 1. "Silver" (5/5) 2. "Nocturnal Me" (4/5) 3. "Crystal Days" (3/5) 4. "The Yo Yo Man" (3/5) 5. "Thorn of Crowns" (3/5) 6. "The Killing Moon" (5/5) 7. "Seven Seas" (5/5) 8. "My Kingdom" (4/5) 9. "Ocean Rain" (5/5) Total - 37 Average - 4.11 149/1001 79/149 albums reviewed were new to me.
it hangs around for too long and i'm left waiting for more
Dagge får sitt new wave lystmäte tillfredsställt igen.... Den här gången ger jag honom dock rätt. Det här är new wave som gått långt över bäst-före datum, möglat och transformerat till något annat. Hopplöst svulstigt, överdoserat med stråkar och gått vilse bland teatrala pretentioner. Det finns i grunden en 2-3 låtar kanske men allt är så storvulet att dom också blir hemska. Likt andra band som Simple Minds, Ultravox och U2 med rötter i new wave klarar Echo... inte övergången in nåt annat. Fan ibland tycker jag dom låter som en dålig variant av Uno Svenningssons Freda'. Jag antar att det är det här Jonas talar om när han avskyr 80tals produktioner
Inte illa. Inte fantastiskt. Det räcker så.
Ett band som jag aldrig lyssnat ordentligt på. Någon enstaka låt här och där. Blir positivt överraskad. Gillar arrangemangen med stråkarna. En kombo av fina melodier och emellanåt ödesmättad stämning (i tex nocturnal me). Precis som på omslaget så flyter det fint. Inte alls den trubbighet och kantighet vi mött hos flera andra alster från samma epok. Några låtar sticker ut. T ex inledande Silver och inte minst Killing moon är finfina kompositioner.
Echo and the Bunnymen är ett av många band som jag bara läst om men aldrig tagit mig tid till att lyssna på. I grunden tycker jag att här finns flera bra låtar med influenser eller referenser till Nick Cave, the cure och the Smiths. Men oj, vad det låter illa m produktionen. Sången är så högt mixad att inget annat hörs. I hörlurar fungerar det nästanmok, men från högtalarna låter det riktigt illa. Det här hade kanske kunnat sniffat på en fyra men nu landar det på knappt godkänt.
Very Good album. Having been a fan of they guys since "The Pictures On My Wall", I recall buying this album and thinking it was a bit Mainstream. Listing in 2025, it's definitely the transitional album - still with the soul of a bunch of scallies from 'pool...but with an eye on what was selling and what would be popular. Recommended.
Couple of good songs
The Killing Moon is a great song but the rest of the album I fortunately doesn’t have anywhere near the same impact.
I had never heard of Echo & the Bunnyman. The songs on " Ocean Rain" are all in-between styles and to my mind the post-punk label attributed to them doesn't really nail it. Regardless of any categories, I like the more uptempo tracks like "Silver" or "Seven Seas" the best. The whole record is not extremely exciting but surely solid. What surprised me most is that this album was already published in 1984, which means that it has aged very well.
Great album, probably my favourite from the band.
The album with Silver, Killing Moon and Seven Seas - songs which have stood the test of time Recording in Paris with a 35-piece orchestra takes them far away from their Liverpudlian roots, but also propelled them into a unique place in the early 80's music scene
An English new wave/post-punk album on the list? No way. About 1/3 of the way through, this is one of at least 10 such albums I allegedly must listen to. I'm over it. The gimmick is the symphony, and Echo honestly does a decent job with it. The symphony is a nice complementary piece to Echo's music. But Metallica's S&M better be on this list. That's how a band makes a record with a symphony. Equal parts partnership and battle. S&M is the exemplar that deserves inclusion.
I've never really listened to this band but know a couple tracks on this album, which seemed to be the best two.
Good album, like the 80s style, but I don't really hear anything that impresses me too much. 3.4
Nice to listen to something familiar, yet different
65
As a whole this is an uneven album, The highs are high and the singles and a few other tracks fantastic. Generally loving the orchestration. There are more filler tracks than I'd prefer and the production on those seems uneven.
Silver - 7 Nocturnal Me - 6 Crystal Days - 8 The yo yo man - 5 thorn of crowns - 6 the killing moon - 6 seven seas - 7 my kingdom - 7 ocean rain - 6
gfallt mer eigentli aber hätt ned öbbis mega einzigartigs
The 2020 reviewer who said "Back half is phenomenal" is absolutely correct. I was debating my feelings about this. I love their sound, I love a couple of tracks very much, and I felt like something was off. The front half is kind of meh, but the back half really is inspired. All together, I go 4.5/5
Pretty okay. Roots of indie rock with a sad-boy British twinge. I don’t think it was quite as good as the other echo and the Bunnymen that I had on this list. Or maybe you only need one of them in your life. Production is pretty cool on good speakers.
Their most famous record for a reason. “The Killing Moon” really is by far their best song. The whole album is quite beautiful too, though.
I'm not sure I love the tinny vocals on a lot of the tracks that are common for that genre in the 80s. The Yo Yo Man is a bop though.
One of these lines was made up by AI, but you'll need to listen carefully to work out which! "Swung from a chandelier, my planet sweet on a silver salver" "You think you're a vegetable, never come out of the fridge." "A clockwork swan on a silver tray, its feathers cast in concrete blue" "C-c-c-cucumber. C-c-c-cabbage. C-c-c-cauliflower. Men on Mars. April showers." ...but I think the albums more enjoyable if you try not to hear the words
Whole album was a solid listen, enjoyed this one a lot