Ocean Rain

A good album, but mot a style that totally hits my sweet spot. 4 stars

4.5

I listened to a lot of Echo and the Bunnymen growing up, so I knew a lot of what to expect from this one. It's a solid album, and came from the same scene as U2, Simple Minds, The Alarm, and Big Country, which are all bands that I enjoy. This is on the more depressing side though, closer to the Cure. The best song is "The Killing Moon" but "Seven Seas" comes in a solid second. Overall worth a listen.

Y'know, this book really should find itself some more genre labels so that it can stop calling things post-punk. I mean, all it ever does for me is immediately get me to assume the worst about whatever I'm about to hear, no matter what Wikipedia says the album actually contains. I was scarred badly enough by Public Image Ltd.'s METAL BOX that even if I do end up liking the album, I always attribute it to something else besides "post-punk," allowing me to go on assuming the worst the next time a post-punk album shows up. And there have been **way too many** of those, let me tell you... This album's a prime example of that. 'Coz, y'know, honest to goodness, I **did** like it — quite a bit, quite a lot. I wouldn't say enough to give it a full 5 outta 5, but I am happy I heard it — and not 'coz I'd think of this thing as post-punk, no. It's because I'd choose to remember it as symphonic neo-psychedelia. I love symphonic shit so much. Not, like, actual "classical music" symphonic shit, no. But when it plays or backs up rock or pop music... Oh, it can be the best thing ever. S&M ain't one of my top favorite Metallica albums of all time for nothing. So to hear that kind of stuff all over with this album, affording it a level of gravitas I just would not have had the patience to allow this album otherwise... Goodness me, I dig it. Especially those last four tracks. The first record side's worth is fine, but between those last four, and **particularly** those last two... Oof, yeah, no, goodness. Really, the only thing I wanna knock this album for, and why I'd firmly stuck on a 4, is just that... Well, even if I'm more willing to accept the gravitas of the tracks, there's still this air of "**YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THIS MUSIC VERY SERIOUSLY**" about it that I just can't gel with. Blame it on the mood of most of these songs, or the way the guy sings 'em... Like, **that's** the most post-punk thing about it, if you ask me. That whole attitude, y'know? And it gets me feeling like I wouldn't be reaching for this first if I wanted a kick of symphonic neo-psychedelia. Maybe the live orchestrated version of THE SOFT BULLETIN? I'unno. But on the whole, yeah, it's a lot better than the post-punk label would've led me to believe. In fact, it's kind of crazy to think that this thing came out in 1984; I mean, I gotta agree with a group mate that this sounds like it should've come out in the 90's, at the earliest. That's another point in its favor, I guess, but overall, yeah, yeah. A thumbs up and a seal of approval from me. Now watch me forget all about this the next time I see the words "post-punk" pop up.

Just a damn good vibe overall. Solid 4 Stars.

pretty good album. i really enjoyed the production and the songwriting here. the best song for me was clearly 'the killing moon' but there were a handful of songs i also liked almost as much and nothing on here was even remotely bad. that being said, i wish that i liked the vocalist's voice a bit more. but overall, pretty good.

After albums of successive surges in momentum, Echo and the Bunnymen unleashed their masterpiece upon the music listening public. Once and for all shedding any semblance of solidarity amongst peers while simultaneously providing a path upon those who shall walk them, Ocean Rain stands tall amidst a pantheon of 80s new wave/post-punk/synthpop classics, leaving its ripple effect along the way. Favorites: Silver, Nocturnal Me, Crystal Days, Thorn of Crowns, The Killing Moon, My Kingdom, Ocean Rain.

7/10. Ikkje så gale. Var skeptisk, men blei positivt ovverraska. Flott 80-tallas album.

8/10

It's good to dust this off every now and then. 3 big singles which blow your head off. But it is 'My Kingdom' which is the standout album track. The strings bring an extra layer to their sound, giving the songs a more epic feel. They should have been as big as U2 but they missed that boat.

Classic new wave. Flea from RHCP said he draws a lot of inspo from them and I could see it this time around. The back half of the album is banger after banger.

Ocean Rain feels like the moment when Echo and the Bunnymen fully perfected their sound, delivering an album that is both dramatic and strangely intimate. The record’s strength lies in how naturally it blends post-punk tension with the melodic sensibilities of New Wave, creating songs that are brooding yet immediately memorable.The sharp, moody guitar lines and Ian McCulloch’s expressive vocals sit beautifully alongside lush string arrangements, giving tracks like “The Killing Moon” and “Ocean Rain” a grand, cinematic feel. Rather than clashing, the darker post-punk edge and more accessible New Wave sheen complement each other perfectly, resulting in an album that feels cohesive, timeless, and emotionally rich.

I read Flea's book about a year ago, and he wrote about a formative musical moment for him - tripping on LSD at an Echo and the Bunnymen concert. I've been excited for this album to come up ever since. No LSD for me during my listen, but man, this album is cool. I need more listens to let it fully sink in, but the initial impression was very good.

Podobała mi się dużo bardziej niż poprzednia płyta tego zespołu na którą tu trafiłam. Mam wrażenie, że było w niej więcej tożsamości, stylu. Była lekko mroczna, trochę eksperymentalna w stylu Bowiego albo Cave'a. Czułam, że utwory opowiadają spójną historię i pewną ręką prowadzą mnie przez gęsty las dźwięków. Pozytywne zaskoczenie 7/10.

Hab mehrmals gehört also muss es besser als 3 sein

Вайбово и красиво, музыкальное оркестровое сопровождение вообще уносит (особенно на последних песнях). Но я больше ничего особенного не увидела, простите((

psychedelic and dreamy symphonic pop rock music. the aesthetic given to listeners in the first few minutes along is sublime. if you like rock with a classy sound, you'll get a kick out of this album. it's a very gothic sounding album, fans of the cure will find familiar energy with its elegant and victorian instrumentals and wailing, echoing vocals.

Creative and intriguing album. 4.0/5.0: Great

the a side was good, but the b side was great. aside from the killing moon, which is the clear standout, i really enjoyed crystal days and find it odd that it wasn't a single. it had a bit more pop sensibility than the rest of the album while still maintaining the dark post punk aesthetic.

3.5 rounded up

Favorite Track: Nocturnal Me

Another first time listen, only know Killing Moon, a good album, a very good lyricist with clear Jim Morrison influences and The Cure musically. A varied, well made and thoughtful album. Standout track: Ocean Rain Polymath

Ahh back home at brit rock, they do the pretty singing but also goes a bit harder and darker and weirder sometimes and I like it.

Kissing the tortoise shell. 🐢💋

perfect soundtrack to "the philosophy of time travel", r. sparrow

The Killing Moon is a fantastic song we've listened to many times over. For some reason, when we listened to this album a long time ago we were disappointed with it. However, on a re-listen (thanks to 1,001 albums) we actually really enjoyed this. Glad we were forced to give it a second chance.

Very cool! This album always worked more for me than any The Cure albums

Never given these guys a fair shake! I liked it!!

This sounds like the sort of album that was massively influential for a generation of musicians even if the album itself wasn't terribly well received on release. On another note, this list curator really Echo and the Bunnymen.

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Moody but not heavy.

Really fun listen. The Doors influence is evident.

Was glad to revisit this one and the tracks other than The Killing Moon, many of which are excellent.

The Killing Moon is a 5/5 song, and while the rest of the album isn’t bad, nothing else rises to that height. 4/5 in the end for me.

Great to see the Bunnymen get their second entry, though I would rank their initial run of albums from the top Heaven Up Here/Porcupine/Crocodiles/Ocean Rain/Eponymous. The precise point at which they were trying to hard. Having said all that it's four starts, 4.25 really.

Gran disco de gran banda toca hoy. Pasan los años y me vuelvo más nostálgico de un pasado que nunca viví: adoro el post-punk, lo darkie, lo gótico sin ser contemporáneo a ellos, así que asumo que todo conecta con esos sentires. Orquestado sin perder su mood oscuro, me recuerda por momentos a Nick Cave (especialmente en Thorn of Crowns). Gracias también por estas joyitas. Hasta mañana.

like it

Cool Album. Standout songs: Crystal Days The Killing Moon My Kingdom

I knew the singles, so it was nice to hear the whole album. I liked it, but my favourite Echo album is the self-titled Echo & The Bunnymen. Liked Songs Added: Silver The Killing Moon Seven Seas

This is an album filled with rich and grand instrumentation.

Classic. My genre and soothing sounds ;)

I listened to it before this project, but didn’t remember it well. Less gothic than I recalled. Still, a very good album.

I've been meaning to check out Echo and the Bunnymen for a long time, I mean, it's one of those iconic post-punk groups of the 80s and Killing Moon is an eternal song every time I hear it (love how its used in Donnie Darko's opening part). This album was a pleasant surprise in that despite not having another song as good as Killing Moon it still has some excellent songs that don't feel like they are just filler until the big song but other moods and vibes that all come together to make a really brief and cohesive record. Obviously, it helps I love this genre but personally? I think this album brings a lot more to the table than I expected and I'm so happy for that

A very pleasant ride from beginning to end!

Great 80s new wave

Yes. Very nice. Nocturnal me and the killing moon are awesome.

So weird and cool. Love it

I listened to this when I was younger and didn’t like it, but this listen it really hit. Love the guys voic

nice stuff divies!

Echo & The Bunnymen has always been a band I’ve known about—seeing them pop up on compilations over the years—but the songs I’d heard never inspired me to dive deeper. After giving this album a listen, though, I see them in a whole new light. I was genuinely surprised by the strong baroque pop elements and how prominently the orchestral arrangements are featured. Who would’ve thought that blending darker post-punk with baroque pop could work so well? Yet, they pull it off so smoothly on this album.

To listen to more

Enjoy the ethereal sounds of Echo. The overlapping sounds and breathy singing really hit home.

Great 80’s new wave rocker and the band's best for sure. Dramatic new wave chamber pop rock. The Killing Moon, Silver, Seven Seas, Nocturnal Me are all worth checking out

Very good. Vocals sound a bit like Bowie, deep and British. Poppy rock, quite English. Enjoyed it

The Killing Moon is an all time favorite song of mine, but besides that nothing here really comes close. Personally I think Porcupine was a much stronger and more consistent album. The melodies here feel a little lacking. Mid 4.

4 - Much better than the other album

The Killing Moon is so good. And the rest of this album was pretty solid. Felt like it had a bit more sheen and a bit less bite than the other E&TB album (Porcupine), but I don't think that was really to its benefit or detriment, good solid album. Fave Tracks: Thorn of Crowns, The Killing Moon, My Kingdom, Ocean Rain 4.1/5

1st time listening to this, really impressed and love the 80s sound

For some reason I expected this to be way better, but it's still a very solid album!

It’s great but they’ve made better

7/10

really enjoyed this. moody and atmospheric

A great album. Not really what I expected but still really enjoyable. I knew a few Of their songs probably explore other work by them.

It's been said that Ian McCulloch and God co-wrote The Killing Moon. Who knew that God had bars.

I used to be really into Echo & The Bunnymen when I was in high school, but I wasn't able to connect the dots until now on exactly why I liked them so much. In a lot of ways they can come off as a more boring version of The Cure and The Smiths, especially in this record, but the vocals and "haunting" sound also feels a lot like The Doors too. And like it or not they're kind of the blueprint for bands like Radiohead and early Coldplay that I really liked in junior high. They don't sound far off from the rest of '80s jangle pop or even Madchester either. They're just somehow adjacent to... basically all of alternative rock music without sounding derivative of any of it. This would've been a 5 for me once but I think my tastes changed. They're a very pompous and indulgent band, and I used to actually find that endearing in the same way I can find the flamboyant bravado of The Smiths endearing, but I guess the more into punk I got the more this record has started to bore me a little bit, particularly the slower songs. Now I like Crocodiles more because it's more angular and dark and more of a post-punk record, but this is still good too.

Super awesome album. Ordered it on vinyl just as the last note was being played

It's possible my familiarity with this album has led me to rate it highly. But maybe everybody should become familiar with this album. So many mid/late 2000's band were just trying to do what the Bunnymen had already done...

This was more Cure-like than I was ready for, but I did quite enjoy it and I'd relisten to it and probably grow to like it even more. 3.5/5

I think the first time I heard Echo & The Bunnymen was when The Killing Moon was on the soundtrack to Donnie Darko - which was perfectly fitting in vibe and name. The music is very 80s goth rock, giving similar vibes to The Cure or Joy Division. I liked the feel of this album a lot. If I was a teen in the 80’s, I definitely think I’d have been in the goth crowd. This is a very easy album to recommend.

Great band and great sounds! One of the oldies but goldies albums.

I liked it and gotta listen to it more.

This album doesn't slap the whole way through, but there are certain moments throughout the project that really hit you. "Killing Moon" is obviously the stand out here, but "Nocturnal Me" is also one of my favorites. "Thorn of Crowns" is annoying and unnecessary, but the album isn't long enough to where they could cut it. They did a good job with the arrangement of the songs by burying it in the middle, but what would have been ever better is if they had just made another banger. I enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would. 4/5

Ooh... I like this. Echo & The Bunnymen is the newest addition to the "bands I had vaguely heard of but knew practically nothing about before getting an album from them" club, so I was definitely intrigued to see if I would like my first album of theirs, Ocean Rain. Fortunately, as I said in the beginning, I really like this album! It's kind of like Joy Division in a way, which is funny because both bands had frontmen named Ian. The general vibes here are pretty good. They're dark and mysterious, but not depressing. The singing fits this very well. The album is paced well, and is comprised of some pretty good songs. I especially love "The Killing Moon." That was an easy addition to my "best of the albums" playlist. Of course, the other 8 songs are great too, just not quite as great. Overall, this is a strong album that I wish I had more to say about. This is some great stuff right here. Strong 4/5.

Woah, second Bunnymen record in the space of 2 weeks. What are the chances? This is a very strong record

This is why I'm doing this. Never heard of this band or album, but man I really liked this.

Nothing can touch The Killing Moon, but it's far from being the other great track here, especially Nocturnal Me and the title track. In other words, I prefer when they go all with their majestic songwriting. Some of the more straightforward songs may be a bit weaker, but this is a really great album nonetheless.

You love to see it! Another fantastic EATB album. Got some classic hits on there.

What a quirky little album this is. It took a few songs for it to settle down (or perhaps for me to get into its world) but when it did, I rather enjoyed the experience. Killing Moon is well-known to me, but I'd never heard any of the others. I especially liked the title track. Unusual grooves and arrangements. Not sure how much I love the lead singer's voice, but I dig his honest approach, if that makes sense.

‘I’m going to say, they’re the best band of the 80s’ - not my words but the words of someone whose opinion I trust more after this statement about Echo & The Bunnymen. 4.4

I might need to listen to this again, because my first impression was that "The Killing Moon" stands heads and shoulders over the other tracks. Overall I liked this but wished the other songs sounded more like "The Killing Moon."

I've come around on this band much more in the past couple years than I ever thought I would. I don't know what it is, but something about them makes them standout from the overcrowded and overrepresented and over remembered UK post-punk/new wave scene from the early 1980s. Fun listen as always.

4.25

🎧Wonderful album, though I could do without The Yo Yo Man and Thorn of Crowns. The Killing Moon is one of the finest songs of the 1980s.

Not unenjoyable! I like the alternative vibe they have going on.

Pretty fun album. No complaints

Looking back, I think I might have been a little unfair to Echo and the Bunnymen, applying a bit of musical snobbery to them back in the 80s, as they were more pop than alt-rock in my opinion. Listening again, many years later, things aren't as cut and dry as maybe I once thought. There's actually some good tracks here, with plenty of diversity, and notably the "big hit" doesn't stand out as not belonging with the rest of the album. It's not perfection by any means, but worthy of 4 stars.

classic

Enjoyed this one. That's 3 EATB albums I've had and they have all surprised me.

Extra star for The Killing Moon. That song is so awesome

My Kingdom and Ocean Rain terrific tracks along with the classic Killing Moon. Great guitar playing. Proto-Suede.

3.5

The Killing Moon is a standout on the album. On a first listen this was alright but I find a relisten helps it. There's a fair amount of depth here and it's a bit surprising how early it came out. Good example of good music but a vibe that pushes it up.

The opening track did nothing for me but Nocturnal Me is something. The production is pretty solid here. Crystal Days also sounded like a full bodied song. The YoYo Man keeping it up sounds like a song fit for a stage production. Thorn of Crowns again with interesting composition and production. Overall this surprised me. Not usually a fan of 1980s sound, but this sounded ahead of it's time.

I really enjoyed this album. It was like if The Cure from the late 80’s had a child with Depeche Mode. You can hear, pretty clearly, the influence these guys had on the music landscape. The orchestral arrangements are fantastic, and so easy on the ears with fitting mystical lyrics to fit like a glove. It's atmospheric, it's ethereal in nature, and artistic yet still accessible. Ian McCulloch's vocals are stellar here, as well. He has a raw, dark, and cool feel to his voice that he seems to effortlessly pull off. Everything here just seems to click between the elements so well. There’s catchy pop/rock songs to help keep an average listener’s attention as it weaves you around different tempos and moods. Standout tracks for me include: Nocturnal Me, Crystal Days, The Killing Moon, and Ocean Waves. I would highly recommend this album.

Good — manchmal halten die melodien nicht mit der melodramatik mit

Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen is a beautifully atmospheric album that highlights the band’s evolution, with Ian McCulloch’s haunting vocals taking center stage. The lush orchestration and cinematic quality of tracks like The Killing Moon and Ocean Rain add a new level of depth to their sound. McCulloch's voice, rich with emotion, perfectly complements the album's dark, romantic themes. While it leans more towards a polished and refined production, it still retains the band's distinctive edge. For fans who love the energy of Crocodiles and the sing-along appeal of earlier tracks, Ocean Rain offers a more expansive and introspective experience. The intricate arrangements and seamless flow of the album showcase the Bunnymen’s growing musical sophistication. Though different in tone, it stands as a powerful and memorable chapter in their discography, offering a haunting and immersive listening experience. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 4 STAND OUT TRACK - Seven Seas

Ah, another old friend from high school who went away to college with me! So good to hear you again.

Always heard of the band and never bothered to look into them. That might change now. In a positive way, they sound like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and The Smiths were turned into one band. Some songs need more highlights maybe but that's by the by.

Another album I was surprised to see was older than I thought! I really enjoyed this one.

Adore this album! So much good vibes. There's a lot of bitter, dark goth rock here that you just want to wade all the way into. A couple of moments feel a little typical of 80s pop but otherwise the band manage to make a sound entirely their own. Best Track: The Killing Moon Worst Track: Crystal Days

Best Song: Nocturnal Me Worst Song: Ocean Rain

Killing Moon gets this to a 4 easily. Clean, catchy, and 80s as hell. Silver and Seven Seas are also great.

“The Killing Moon” has long held an esteemed place on my “spooky tunes 4 halloween” playlist, so I was happy to hear it here! I hadn’t heard anything else by Echo & the Bunnymen, though, and there are several gems here. Atmospheric and stylish (if a bit melodramatic). Favorite tracks: The Killing Moon, Nocturnal Me

Very good album, but not enough five star moments for a five star rating overall.

From The Killing Moon onward it started to grow on me, and after the second spin I can say that this is actually a very acceptable E&B album.

amazing album meow 🤗🤗 faves r silver anddddd angels and devils

it's weird without trying too hard, which is awesome the only song i didn't really enjoy was Thorn Of Crowns but i liked the part where he said ccccccucumber cccccabbage cccccauliflower i thought it was pretty solid throughout but once you get to The Killing Moon, it's like wwwwoooaaah they are capable of so much more than what i've heard so far! but regardless of that, it’s very consistent and solid throughout the theatrical silly weirdness vibes are a 5/5 but the album itself may be a 3.5/5 orrrrrr PERHAPS a 4/5, i think it has greater potential for when i will revisit it

Very easy listen, with some very slight reminiscence to talking heads in some songs

This band is highly underrated historically. Every time I listen to them I'm impressed with different aspects of their songwriting. This is an above average album with one of the greatest tracks ever in The Killing Moon.

Can't NOT think of Donni Darko with this one, both are great

Not bad, chilled 80s vibes

4 stars

Went in with zero expectations, and I left with a good album to keep on rotation.

Super good. I wouldn’t hate it if this whole lists was post punk bands from this era. Also, can never hear “Killing Moon” without thinking of Donnie Darko.

בנגר, 4/5 לא משהו שאני הולך להאזין לו בדיוק אבל זה new wave

Killing moon, what a classic song. Still sounds new. Rest of the album not quite up to that standard but plenty to like.

Too short!

Goth-adjacent jangly pop, and it is quite good. I knew quite a few people in college in the 90s who swore this was a masterpiece. I’m not going that far, but it’s pretty solid.

Am I giving this a 4 JUST for Killing Moon? You bet it am.

Inte lyssnat på förut men jag gillade det här. The killing moon är riktigt bra och gillar 3-4 låtar utöver den. Resten är också helt okej. Svag fyra.

1984 Music mainstay - a good listen and doesn't seem it is 40+ years! Still fresh!

Apart from a couple of tracks I enjoyed this album

An album that's well on its way to 3 star forgettability and then boom, Killing Moon forces the adjustment.

It was quite good. I enjoyed it.

One extra star as a shout out to the great nothing. Everything is everything is everything.

80s British post punk with some killer song writing.

soooo good i love u echo and the bunmymen 🩷 sad i cant go to their concert this summer bc the venue is no minors 😭

Ian McCulloch and Julian Cope were originally together in a band called A Shallow Madness. In 1978, Ian and Julian broke up to go their separate ways. I followed Julian on his journey with the Teardrop Explodes, so never really much liked the Bunnymen (they were “the other side”). As a result I never really gave the Bunnymen the listening time they deserved. Listening to this album now all these years later was surprisingly enjoyable. Ians voice sounds like a weird mixture between Bono and Julian. Good orchestration on some of the songs. Strong album with interesting songs but The Killing Moon is easily the standout.

Echo and his Bunnymen have shown up a few times now. And I’m not mad about it. I love their music. The Killing Moon is one of my all-time favourite gothic emo 80s songs. The rest of the songs here fit perfectly with it and are enjoyable too. And this album cover is a gorgeous piece of stunning artwork. It encapsulates the whole tone of this album perfectly. This album, when in the right frame of mind, scratches a very deep itch.

C-c-c-cucumber C-c-c-cabbage C-c-c-cauliflower Echo and the Bunnymen is one of my favorite post-punk bands and I don't think they get nearly as much recognition as they should. That said, I enjoy this album, but I don't think it's their best as everyone else seems to. I prefer Crocodiles, Porcupine, and Heaven Up Here over this one. A lot of Ocean Rain is really good. Silver, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas, My Kingdom, and Ocean Rain are all great songs. It's not that there's a bad song on the album, but I do think it gets a little melodramatic — it veers a little too far into Neil Diamond territory for me at times. And some of the lyrics are just okay — Thorn of Crowns referenced in my opening, for example, is just bizarre (I know that's the point). Nocturnal Me is almost Shakespearean in its double entendres, and while it's a good song, it's not even a little bit subtle (again, nothing wrong with it, but they have better songs). I'll give this one a 4 because I do still really enjoy this band, and the album is very good. It's not their best, though. 4/5

Bands from Northern England always have the biggest egos. Joking aside, the Killing Moon has had a big impact on my life.

Pretty good album.

Great 80's staple. underrated band.

There is plenty of drama going on with this album and a decent amount of variation, musically speaking. It had a coherence of sound which I liked. Plenty of decent songs as well with Nocturnal Me, YoYo Man, Killing Moon, My Kingdom and Ocean Rain being the standouts.

Two mind blowing songs and tge rest is just good, want to like it more than i do for that reason.....

Loved having a reason to listen to this whole album again, it's great. Killing Moon is outstanding.

I'd listened to this a several times over the past few years. It's a decent album, but The Killing Moon is the jewel in the crown.

Have not heard Silver in 30 years and every word flooded right back from the first notes. Goddamn I miss this band. “C-c-cucumber, c-c-cauliflower, c-c-cabbage.” Yes, they really did that. Gothy, weird, dramatic and fun. Cool kids my age know every note of Killing Moon. There’s probably a clockwise kicking, swaying dance to go with it. And Ian McCulloch is great to sing along with. Fabulous hits off this album. Still sound excellent. Don’t love all of this, but the good stuff makes it 4/5.

Pretty cool mid-80s alt rock. The Killing Moon is particularly good. I also liked the song Noctornal Me. It still sounds a little dated overall, but I did enjoy the album.

Nocturnal me and the Killing Moon are both songs I've heard before by Echo And The Bunnymen and they seem to be good indicators of the style of music. I enjoyed the album.

“The Killing Moon” alone gets this to a 3.5 for me. There are a few others I like as well. I was not as into this band at the time of this albums release as I was into more of the 80’s rock. I came to appreciate them much more later. So unique for the time and influential for other great bands to come later in the new wave and alternative sound. 3.5/5 rounding up

It’s clear that by the time of this album the Bunnymen were nearing their peak. And some would argue that peak would not be reached until three years later with Lips Like Sugar. But The Killing Moon remains to this day a top song on many “best of” lists including my own. The variety and expansion of instruments on this one elevates it and further cements it and the band as one of the more unique standouts at the time. Ian McCulloch’s voice continues to be one immediately identifiable and in a sea of 80s new wave, punk, hair metal this album set a new standard and rose to the top as a true alternative.

Pretty solid all around. Some meh songs on hit but you've got some classic hits too

Echoey instruments, layered vocals, good fun

This is giving me The Cure vibes and it is post punk. I always love albums like this that their biggest song is deep in the album because that means that people had to listen deep into a record to find the "best song." As a full product what I like outweighs what was contrived and okay and I want to listen to more of their stuff. The Killing Moon is such a great song. The brits are so good at making abstract poetic songs i feel like the lyricism in brit pop and rock is so much more poetic than others idk. In seven seas he says tortoise weird so I can't respect this album anymore. Ocean Rain is a beautiful song, and the instrumentation carries this to another level I need to hear this with a full orchestra. These guys are ripe for a Gen Z, Jeff Buckley or Deftones renaissance I feel it. This is a 8/10 for me closer to a 7

I liked this

favourite: silver, thorn of crowns, the killing moon least favourite: the yo yo man this album is great mayb 7-8/10

The orchestral elements along with the eerie and gothic vocal performances certainly help to push this album's rather dark but also sort of large soundscapes on tracks like Nocturnal Me and The Yo Yo Man. Some of the weaker tracks like Thorn of Crowns and the closing track are more understated in these aspects so they're not as memorable in that regard. On another note is it just me or does bro sound like he moaning doing those "aaah"s on Thorn of Crowns

A decent listen (unfortunately I had a busy day when I tried to listen, and wasn't able to full focus). "The Killing Moon" is the obvious standout track, but I am biased because I really liked Donnie Darko in highschool. The rest of the album was solid, with some catchy tracks and an interesting sound. I think I will revisit, so 4 stars.

Soooooooo good

This band should have been much bigger. The year this came out, "Footloose" was the #4 song on the Billboard Year-End top 100 list. "Let's Hear It for the Boy" wasn't too far behind, along with "Self Control" (Laura Branigan) and "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (Stevie Wonder is awesome, but that song is not). Alternative rock was still very alternative and not easy to find. R.E.M. was still on IRS records, U2 was just beginning to get attention, and The Cure had yet to release Head on the Door. Juxtaposed against additional albums that followed in its footsteps, this may not stand out, but at the time, Echo and the Bunnymen were one of the best alternative bands in existence, and this album should be listened to in the context of its time. This is an excellent, overlooked (at the time) album and band. 4 stars

The Killing Moon is an amazing song, but the rest of the album is strong as well.

Some really stand out songs, but some don’t hit quite as hard. More of a 3.5 star, but Nocturnal Me is just so good

I actually own this on CD and it is pretty good. Not good enough for 5 stars though.

Echo and the Bunnymen have a unique sound I'd describe as 60s psychedelic rock meets post punk and new wave. In contrast to a lot of their contemporaries, I appreciate Ian Mccullochs direct, wide awake vocals (anyone else thinks he sounds like young Neil Diamond here?). It's nice to understand the words, even if I'm still not quite sure what he's yelling about. Although I wasn't familiar with any of these songs, in a lot of ways this album exemplifies the characteristics I think of as English counter culture pop. I honestly like all of the tracks, though I'm not sure I love any of them, with my main gripe being most of them just go on too long. Favorites are Silver, Crystal Days, and Seven Seas. I'd definitely give this one a listen again.

Floaty and different. A style all right. Pleasant enough. A dissembling ensures. At the end of side A this albums feels stuck between two rocks, or feeble buttcheaks of anaemia and constipation. Cold cheddar English ale. “Thorn of crowns” is the Grail for unadorned awkwardness - a musical In flagrante delicto moment? Yup, a salute to Springsteen’s State Trooper, and - necessarily - the stark shrieking of the the signature sound on the (self titled?) album Suicide ... which is on this list, and hard going but a definitive listening moments you wont equal or want to . But unexpectedly, the album kind of has resurrection moment and soars after this messy jouissance. The hit “Killing Moons” emerges from what was destroyed The bridel.corset is off; the horse/man stripped bare, it finally gallops out of hesitant adolescence, full throated and past the rain. Shine England 3.5?

Orchestral infused post punk with the melody to the fore. Instant, accessible, interesting and cool. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: The Killing Moon Date listened: 12/02/24

Nice rock by - once again - a band which I did not know until now (although the name was familiar).

Not bad, decent sound to it

it hits that good spot of being quirky and strange but not unlistenable. I dont know if I'll search out anything else by them, but liked this entry.

Weird but fun! Good energy. 4/5

A couple of tracks are excellent

Brilliant!

feels very '60s psychedelic

Rating: 8/10 Great album, really enjoyed the orchestral elements throughout. The instrumentation was great, the orchestral elements were perfect to create a beautiful atmosphere. The singer complemented this well with his style, not technical but it matched the music well. There were many catchy vocal and instrumental melodies throughout the album, the best songs benefited from having all of these characteristics. Favorite songs: Silver, Nocturnal Me, Crystal Days, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas. Least favorite song: The Yo Yo Man.

Favourite tracks: silver; killing moon; nocturnal me; ocean rain

I quite enjoyed this one. 4/5

Great album. Can hear all kinds of influences from the 60s and 70s, and recognise loads of bands from later who were influenced by it, but it still could only be from the mid 80s.

New wave is much more my jam.

Very good.

Not my favorite New-Wave band, but a good album and "The Killing Moon" is an all time classic track.

*Ocean Rain* is a topsy-turvy affair at times. Nonetheless, its second side is near-perfect, and there are enough gems on the first side to make it the magnum opus it is for Echo And The Bunnymen. The centerpiece of the album alone, "The Killing Moon", makes it "essential". And even for less stellar tracks, a lot of the pristine, sophisticated arrangements bring a charm that the well-mannered secondary compositions didn't have as "barebones songs". Impressive work overall. 4/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential records", which translates to a 9/10 grade for more general purposes (5+4) Number of albums left to review: 354 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 293 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 154 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 206

Dreary yet dreamy. New wave, but drenched with orchestra and atmosphere. Deserves further study. All I want to say is, "a proper goth record"? That's a compliment. Favorite tracks: "Thorn of Crowns", "The Killing Moon"

Always been a fan of The Bunnymen - McCulloughs unique vocals lift them above other similar bands at the time. Seven Seas and Killing Moon the standout tracks here.

Nice

Idky but soothing to listen to and a lot of recognizable songs on here as well. Melodic

Idk if y’all have ever listened to the cure like their actual albums but they are imo pretty hard to listen to like very atmospheric this album to me kinda sounds like what I wanted to get out of listening to the cure if that makes sense

Its rather iconic. Even if its not your thing, you have to admire it.

Feels like post-punk Liverpool - like you’re in a wet basement listening to the band record, in a good way. Ocean Rain, The Killing Moon, and Seven Seas were standout tracks

Killing Moon, Silver

The Killing Moon già sentita

I love an album that can really build an atmosphere. Ocean Rain is spooky, dark, and mystical, as though I'm wading through a shadowy forest with only a lantern in hand, and the sound of wolves howling in the distance. It's also peak '80s new wave that falls on the darker side of the spectrum. Standout songs are obviously The Killing Moon, but also Silver.

Haven’t played the whole thing but I did like what I heard.

I imagine a flower field after a stormy, cold day. Somehow the flowers are intact and they glistening under the sun like there never was a storm.

The orchestra is cool. 7/10.

I like this! Reverb-heavy 80’s alt-rock with lots of dramatic and theatrical flourishes. Reminds me of early U2.

8/10. These guys have grown on me

These guys have 3 albums on the list?!? I guess this was about as good as the other two. 7/10

8/10

Kinda enjoyed this. Plus, hearing the original version of "The Killing Moon" after knowing and loving the Ghost version was a big plus.

Really enjoyed this album! Listened 10 times and really fell in love with every track.

i think i liked porcupine a little better. this is good, but it's a little less exciting than most of porcupine and it just feels less unique.

Moody and dark careened with a bit of light and airy, a band that enjoys the macabre and theatrics, and a 60s pop filled spirit. Its like unexpectedly biting in to a chocolate chip cookie with rich dark chocolate: the sweetness is mixed with a bitter cocoa flavor in a rich mixture when you were expected the usual.

Prima album, wel coole sound. Af en toe wat matige nummers, veel goede.

(4-) Ни одна песня не запоминается. Несмотря на это, альбом звучит довольно красиво и приятно. Но всё же, для меня пост-панк в первую очередь — это протест. Хочу ли я вернуться к этому альбому? Вряд-ли.

Brighter from the first notes compared to earlier records, as if the ocean rain was a sunshower. The band is growing and expanding their palette, with hookier hooks, sweeter melodies and more layers. The strings are mostly additive and not too somber. The “hits" are all as good/smooth/hummable as one remembers. Love the driving, biting guitar and the twin (yet too brief) solos on “My Kingdom.” The mini-jam on “Thorn of Crowns” is also good but too short and controlled (genre hazard, one supposes) – how much did they let it rip live?, one wonders, never having got to see them. Right balance of arty edginess and warm approachability. Title cut is quasi-lovely and perfectly contextualized closer. 4.2

I liked it. Feels like a mixture of U2 and David Byrne.

Well, this was certainly a pop-rock/new-wave album. While not the worst thing ever, in general, I find new wave kind of boring. It's not even that slower and more poppy stuff is bad, I just never really got into it. With that in mind, this album is fine I suppose. The parts of this album that really got me were the use of string instruments. The first two tracks in particular are standouts for that reason. Generally, I enjoyed the album when it was a bit more experimental on tracks like Thorn of Crowns. The final track, the titular piano-esque ballad, was also pretty good. While new wave ain't really my thing, I'd say this album was pretty decent. While most of the tracks sunk into the background, none were bad and the ones that stood out truly did so. Maybe, 7/10.

bangers

Beautiful songwriting, charming orchestral sound, very strong album and putting paid to my hate of eighties music.

Great album! Always a treat to listen to.

o yay! "The Killing Moon" is one of the greatest songs ever.

Definitely fun and ahead of it’s time

I really like "The Killing Moon". It's a good album but not as good as that single.

I wasn't a huge fan of their earlier album crocodiles which I got generated previously, but after listening to the killing moon like 20 times I figured I should give this one a go. glad I did. didnt know orchestral goth could be a thing.

love it, why is Angels and Demons only on the deluxe version though

Cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower... this is right up my alley. Had no idea what to expect, and I really liked it. I enjoyed the mix of 80s new wave with the grand orchestra. It creates an eerie atmosphere with the instrumentation and strange lyrics. Every song sounds epic, but maybe goes a tad overboard with the drama in some places. Fave Song: The Killing Moon

I’m no fan of post punk but this hits all the right notes. It sits somewhere nicely between The Cure and The Smith with the positive elements of both but none of annoyances.

- Great 80s vibes - Very fun to listen to - Good production quality; all instruments and vocals are very clear - Favorite songs: Nocturnal Me, Crystal Days

First time washed over me completely apart from Killing Moon. More so than their earlier work, oddly. Second listen I enjoyed a lot more.

The band at their peak. Great record.

Theatrical.

I knew of Echo and the Bunnymen prior because of Ghost's cover of 'Nocturnal Me' which fortunately is on this album! I like the Ghost version better. Perhaps it's a case of your favorite version is the first you heard, Kind of like how your first Mario Kart is usually your favorite. I just think Ghost improved upon the song without changing it too much. Adds sustains where they should be and the range is a litter lower. That's enough about Ghost though, how is THIS album? I think it's quite solid. I was afraid of another Romantic New Wave band. And while it definitely has those trope and sound this has a notably...weirder sound, with The Yo-Yo Man in particular reminding me of Mr. Bungle. There are distant and dreamy vocals but its not muddled to hell like a lot of these style albums seem to be. I did get a little bored by the end from a music perspective but there were some lyrics, mainly the stuff in the hooks that kept me listening. Pretty good. Will likely relisten. 4

I found this album years ago after watching Donnie Darko, in which the “The Killing Moon” is featured. Since then I have revisited it several times because there is just something special about it. A 35-piece orchestra and songs like “Nocturnal Me” and “The YoYo Man” really set this album apart from just being another post-punk album. It's like they wrote centuries-old folk songs but still somehow made them feel modern. And then they throw in hits. Also, much respect to them for making “Thorn of Crowns” what a wild ride. Lyrically the oceanic / rain theme is scattered around throughout without being too in your face. In “Silver” we walk on a tidal wave, in “Seven Seas” we swim them so well (and we kiss a tortoise shell!), in “Over The Wall” we walk in the rain. You can't not be floored by Ian's voice when he sings about "Screaming from beneath the waves". But “The Killing Moon” is most definitely the track of this album. That final sequence where we just jam out and take a ride will always stick with me. The fact that they produced it themselves is also incredible. With all that being said the mix is a little subdued in parts. When it goes loud, like with “The Killing Moon” and “My Kingdom” for instance, it ROCKS. But when it’s quiet it’s almost muted, held back from its true potential. Idk if this makes sense but it feels like there could be more in the quiet parts. A stand out album, for the Bunnymen for sure, but for the time as well. Not perfect but captivating. For that reason I'm thinking 4/5.

It’s a shame I’m not giving this album a 5. Because I do think it’s one of the best albums of a particular genre and musical era. Its strengths are in its lyricism and atmosphere. It knows its tone and thematic intent well and does not miss a step in addressing it over the course of the album. That said, some of these songs blend together for me. Particularly “Silver” and “Crystal Days” (the latter reminding me of the former.) And while some songs, like “The Killing Moon” and “Seven Seas” are full and lush in their sound, other cuts, like the unfortunately lackluster “My Kingdom” just lacks a certain *mmph* in its mix. It is mysteriously quieter than “The Killing Moon,” and lacks the dynamic range of that song. Wait…hold on…Okay I just switched over to the remastered version from the 2008 deluxe edition. Soooo much better! “My Kingdom” gets its due here. But the remaster only helps so much. I’ll give Echo and his Bunnymen a LOUD 4 for their best, their essential and timeless album, Ocean Rain.

I might need another listen or two to come to a full appreciation of this album. I think it is good and sounds grand in production, but it also sounds like a style of music that I can like, but don't usually love.

Quite good. No filler. Soundwise somewhere between the Simple Minds and the Cure. Probably influenced Suede and Muse. Favorite song: nocturnal me.

This is a pretty solid album. Maybe it'd get a 5 if I ever chose to relisten to it. I think this is probably an essential new wave album, as it showcases the genre very well. I wonder if I'd like another album by this band. My favourite songs were The Killing Moon, The Yo Yo Man, and Silver.

I enjoyed this one

Really very enjoyable, thought the best tracks were the singles, especially Seven Seas.

I love The Killing Moon but the rest of the album feels a bit flat in comparison. The album itself has a very early indy sound that I really dig with quite a beautiful orchestral accompaniment.

You can tell through the album that they would be tons of fun live and bring all the energy. Solid.

Some great ones and many good

I am shocked how I didn't at any point in my life buy this album for myself and listen to it endlessly along side Depeche Mode and The Doors...maybe because I never got past the "D" section in the record store. But it was so close! One more letter man, just shuffle to your right and there's "E"...I mean, come on! Put in some effort.

Nice! It's gothier than my mental model of Echo and the Bunnymen would suggest, I dig it. Fave track - "The Killing Moon" is an obvious choice. "Nocturnal Me" is maximum goth. "Angels and Devils" is a tune too, if we're accepting bonus tracks....

Yeah not bad, need to give it more listens. Very Julian Cope.

Nocturnal Me прикольно звучит и интересно. В целом почти в каждой песне есть какие-то интересные тычки и прикольные моменты. Не так затягивает как те же Ladies and Gentlemans, но по-своему прикольно

Ой, хорошо прошло воскресенье... особенно под этот альбом. Мне, видимо, очень хорошо заходит новая волна и дрим-поп. Интересно звучание, поскольку вроде по всем элементам и картам складывается, что это немного пост-панк альбом, но от него не так сильно хочется повеситься, как он Unknown Pleasures. И обложка очень гармонично вписывается в общую картину: реально в какой-то момент представил, что плыву где-то на лодке посередь озера. Ставлю альбому 4+/5. Опять же, здесь как и с "Ladies & Gentelmen...", звучит всё очень круто и офигенно интересно, но мне не хватило вот "той самой песни", чтобы прям можно было только ради неё альбом каждый день переслушивать. Да, они все звучат интересно для меня, но не так, чтобы поставить этот альбом в один ряд с теми, которые хочется переслушать в любой момент времени.

After the first listening I was quite doubious, but no, that's good, now I can see that

One recalls feeling frustrated with E&tB in ral time that they only rarely went all in and many songs sounded half-baked or only half-committed to. Today, that seems very much a design feature, rather than an executional shortcoming. This record shows a band stretching its wings a bit and taking its time – either because they had the confidence to do so or because it was who they were, fundamentally, as a band. The use of strings in particular and the layered instrumentation are a plus. The "hits" hold up well, as does the record as a whole. The lesser known cuts offer value, too (see the twinned guitar solos on the mid-tempo "My Kingdom," a real highlight of the record and which really shoulda been longer). The closer is lovely and languid. It must be recognized that they've held up better than many of their peers, though this could be generational bias talking.

pretty good. started slow but then turned into more rock, like the smiths but more upbeat. the killing moon was my fav

My favorite teacher of all time taught me World History and World Area Studies in high school. He loved U2, who I was very familiar with, but he also really loved Echo & The Bunnymen, who I'd never heard of (if my parents didn't listen to them, or if they didn't get any airplay on the local classic rock or modern rock station, my chances of hearing them was very slim). A couple of years ago, an Echo & The Bunnymen song came up on some random Spotify mix that I was listening to (I'm pretty sure it was 'The Killing Moon'), and I really liked it. I'm pretty sure I stopped right then and listened to all of Ocean Rain. I really loved Ian McCulloch's vocals, and I felt like Echo & The Bunnymen sounded like a better version of early U2, and I could see why my teacher loved both U2 and Echo & The Bunnymen. I love the ethereal quality of their instruments; it almost sounds like their songs were recorded in this cavern that's somehow massive and open. On this listen-through, I'd definitely say that 'The Killing Moon' is my favorite track, but 'Nocturnal Me' is fantastic as well. This is a great album, and I hate that I discovered it so late in my life.

Bueno

Музыка похожа на нью-вейв, в целом, приятно звучит, но не по моему вкусу, из-за схожести с The Cure.

Ocean Rain is so much more than just “the album with that one song from Donnie Darko.” Filled with dreamy arrangements and obtuse vocals, it’s strangely reminiscent of the alt-pop that would develop in future decades.

Very classic jangly post-punk sound

Very nice,

Absolutely enjoyable, glad to know the album. Both sides kick off very strong. Side A ends with a head-scratching choice with Thorn of Crowns. Side B is pleasant throughout but doesn’t quite make a huge impact other than Killing Moon.

Echo And The Bunnymen sounds like the kind of act you hire for your kid's birthday party. Do not do this. Ocean Rain is filled with dark, dramatic post-punk just the way I like it. 'Nocturnal Me' is a prime example, and the erratic 'Throne of Crowns' takes it to the next level with its manic, energetic rambling. And 'The Killing Moon' is just incredible - easily a top three moon-mentioning track.

Ocean Rain is one of albums I return to once or twice a year without ever being disappointed. It’s dramatic, melancholic and incredibly grand. The accompanying orchestra does wonders to the songs. “Nocturnal Me”, the beautiful title track and “The Killing Moon” are especially breathtaking with the latter being one of the absolute peaks of the entire post-punk genre (just listen to Sergeant’s solo). Looking forward to join the Bunnymen’s gloomy gondola trip once again.

Very synth.

I was really pleasantly surprised by this album. Loved it.

Know this very well from my first attempt at doing the 1001 albums (only had managed 3 in a month haha) Good tunes with a strong booming voice and the band feels like it’s doing quite its own thing on this record. It’s also well put together - each songs belongs with the others in the order they are - and they are all good songs. Lyrics are a bit too stream of consciousness but it also goes well with the theme of the album so.. it’s a good one.

The Killing Moon is amazing obviously... The rest is quite good, probably needs more listens.

This album impressed me. I knew Seven Seas and of course Killing Moon, but there were a lot more songs on here that captured a great atmospheric whole.

It's always nice to look back on old listening notes and see consistent observations of a band's wont. In the case of the Bunnymen, it's the Arcade Fire connection. Ocean Rain was a shocking listen thanks to how timeless it felt, the vocals and drums I noted of the debut blending into a much more mature and robust texture. Yet, as songs, the effect is that of carefully blanched post-punk, basic and, most of the time, just lush enough. I was deeply feeling for most of the runtime, save a dip into melodrama at the end that didn't quite work. The lyrics I paid attention to were worth one revisit, and suggest returns on a Bunnymen deep dive.

First time I heard of this band and their song "the killing moon" was from Donnie Darko. The other songs are good as well.

Killing moon and ocean drive make it a 4

A great album. McCulloch is a gifted writer and in many ways the Bunnymen embody the *spirit* of the Beatles that still hangs around Liverpool (& music generally) better than most others. This is not the mimicking of the sound and melodies that bands like Oasis indulge in, but a distillation of that essence somehow. It starts with the orchestration of the first track and carries on from there. I don’t love every song on here - to me Bunnymen are a perfect singles band (sacrilege, I know) - but as a body of work it’s a huge, swaggering statement.

Blast from the past! Great album

I would say that Echo & The Bunnymen nailed it with this album, as far as finding that signature haunting & moody sound. The orchestra adds a lot & separates them from all the other post-punk bands. Ian M reminds me a bit of Jim Morrison, but Jim is easier to listen to for a full day. Between a 3 and 4 for me.

The Killing Moon is simply a magnificent post punk song. Ian McCulloch does a serviceable hommage to Jim Morrison with his strong booming voice. There are a few other good songs here including Silver, Seven Seas and Ocean Rain.

Liked it, jangle pop sort of stuff (right?)

Enjoyed much more by the second listen

I like the Killing moon best so far

A compelling album with varied, beautiful sounds. Though I'm not sure if this deserves a full 5 stars, I'd have definitely given this 4 and a half if I could. Very strong showing.

Afwisselend vrolijk en triest. Goed album

I loved this one :)

The first half of the album is excellent: moody new wave with some orchestral bits. But approximately after the halfway point, it just turns into average alternative.

This was fun! And great name.

Pretty cool

I was halfway into “The Killing Moon” when our home internet went out. It still has not come back on, sadly, and I don’t have unlimited data (phone plans are dumb and expensive in America, Alex) so I haven’t made it all the way through the album. I’m loving it so far except that “Crown of Thorns” seemed to be in the wrong place and killed the momentum. Give that track the boot and I’d be a very happy bunnyman. Can’t wait to hear the rest of it once Spectrum gets their shit together.

A voice to die for

That’s the Bunnymen that I like!

i’m surprised more of these songs didnt become popular, this album has a distinct radio feel to it. not really my cup of tea, but some good stuff here

The songs could have had more memorable choruses and melodies, but the production and instrumentation was great! Lots of orchestration, catchy motifs and musical experimentation not as common in new wave.

Good album that was carried by its dense mystical atmosphere, created by the instruments and the singing. No song really stood out but the album was an enjoyable experience

I really enjoyed this album. Songs were on fly and there were some really nice guitar parts

A favourite Echo album of mine, I played this to death when it came out. Not listened in years and loved hearing these songs again. Always envied Will Sergeant’s guitar tone

21st April 2022 Listened in the morning and while at amoeba records in Hollywood! Listened again on the drive home. Really liked this, it grew on me and sounded better on second listen.

Raincoat rock from Echo. They have the tunes but do occasionally sound like a Cure cover band (not that is necessarily a bad thing). Best Tracks: Silver; The Killing Moon; My Kingdom

As good as the The Cure!

Amé.

i actually liked this album quite a bit. i thought it had a melodic sense at some point but also just a very pretty sound. i would give it like a 3.47 but it’s too good to just give 3.

4, nostalgic vibes won me over

Låter som nåt en kille som gaslightar dig lyssnar på för att bryta av från the Smiths, nice

<333333

If not for killing moon this would be lower. 3.5

Superb album.

This is the second album recommended to me from Echo and the Bunnymen. Ocean Rain sounds like the version of the band that I am most familiar with. This album has one of my all-time favorite tracks from the band ("The Killing Moon") in addition to other familiar favorites ("Seven Seas", "Silver"). I had forgotten about "Seven Seas" and was happy to hear it again. The album is consistent, but with enough variety to keep me interested. I would listen to this album again.

I missed out by being a little too young for Echo and the Bunnymen by a few years when this came out. Now after knowing their impact on music and giving this album my first full listen, it's good. That whole British new-wave / post-punk sound was all over the place, but EatB clearly have it down pat. 4/5.

Oh damn! "Nocturnal Me" has been covered by Ghost and I didn't realize it was even a cover.

2/17 Mystical cave rock. Standout Tracks: Nocturnal Me, The Yo-Yo Man, The Killing Moon, Seven Seas

A haunting listen!

The first album that I'm hearing from this group. An interesting experience.

4, wonderful album!

I love Echo, and I really enjoyed this album, but the whole thing felt like a filler album for the one song - The Killing Moon.

I really like getting to learn more about post-punk and all of the cool stuff that it spawned. I don't have a lot to say about this album, but it was a good listen. A much subtler touch than the Smiths album I got yesterday 4/5

Bloody good, innit

This is pretty high tier. And the cover looks really good. Wtf is "Thorn of Crowns" Solid 4

A few memorable tracks, but on second listen the first 2 songs are already growing on me.

Bloody good innit

8/10

Mooi, 80’s sferisch dromerig

Narcissus Down. But what a day it has been

Nice album.

pretty good starter songs

Echo and the Bunnymen was one of those bands that got massive play in my house when I was a teenager. I had a concert tee that I wore down to nothing, I loved it so much. Ocean Rain is probably the best album the band ever made. The musical arrangements are lovely, but properly subtle and restrained. I was surprised to read they had an actual 35-piece orchestra backing them up. It’s beautifully done, an example of the right way to use strings in rock music. Special mention to Will Sergeant, whose resonant guitar work is distinctive, but interplays really elegantly with some rather delicate arrangements. The lyrics are darkly poetic and ambiguous, delivered in the way only an English post punk singer can do it, dead serious but then yet… not really. I mean how serious can you be if you're comparing your girlfriend to a cold cucumber in the fridge? Ian McCulloch is playing with language, being deliberately obtuse a lot of the time. He has a way of turning a phrase that is really idiosyncratic but beautiful. McCulloch is clearly influenced by both David Bowie and Jim Morrison as a songwriter as well as a vocalist. There is really one song everyone must know from this album, which is of course "The Killing Moon." If you ever want to share with someone why 80s music matters, that's really the song you've got to go with. It's such a darkly beautiful song, certainly the best they ever made, and also one of the best of that genre/era. As a teenager I was less of a fan of the slower tempo “Ocean Rain,” but I’ve got to say, I really loved it on relistening now. “Thorn of Crowns” seems very much of that time (not to mention fairly silly), but overall, the album has aged beautifully. Fave songs: The Killing Moon, Ocean Rain, My Kingdom, Seven Seas, Crystal Days

3.7 Interesante y una mezcla entre The Smiths y The Cure

Scouse band deserves at least a 4 for their scouse vibes

killing moon really is a huge tune. the rest of the album was decent too, which is a nice change from the usual fare offered up by albums with an absolute massive banger on them.