Crocodiles

File under: Bands that i think are talented and make fine music, whose influence I recognize and appreciate, yet have absolutely zero interest in listening to.

This is a seminal album for me. In 1980 I was 18 years old and and was deepening a musical rebirth. Shedding the shackles of classic rock and discovering the joys of alternative rock. Melody Maker and NME were the bibles of my religious awakening. That's where I read about Echo and the Bunnymen and how I was lead to their first album. From the moment the rumbling bass and drum that introduces Going Up, I was hooked. I have the original Canadian release which does NOT include Do It Clean as the second track which is fine by me; I think the ne two punch of those two songs back to back as my introduction to Bunnymen may have caused my head to explode. I won't go into a track by track lovefest, just suffice to say that the album gets stronger and stronger and kick started my now decades long love of British alternative/ post punk music as well as indie/alternative music in general. 5 🌟

I never really listened to Echo and the Bunnymen much because their name and fans were off putting, but this record is really fantastic. Cue regret for not tuning in earlier, as this would go splendidly alongside the cure, new order, joy division, the smiths. Really great, moodly rhythmic rock record. 4*

This album lands squarely in the “I feel like I should like this” camp. However, for reasons I can’t articulate, I just don’t find it that compelling

I'm 87% sure the autor of this list realised halfway thought that he didn't know 1001 albums and added just random English music.

An album I just don’t care about, it’s been weeks since I’ve had an enjoyable listening experience with an album. Somebody please help me

Post-punk is one of the worst genres of music I've ever heard. A scourge upon mankind, a plague upon good taste, an offense to good taste.

Crocodiles by Echo & the Bunnymen (1980) If you’re looking for meaningful lyrics, disciplined poetic cadence, creative melodies, elaborate chord structures, skillful performances, and fine vocals, you should look elsewhere. This Liverpudlian group’s debut release has a steady and competent sound, but it lacks variety on almost every level. I’m looking for artistry here and not finding it. Ian McCulloch’s lead vocals are too often stuck on one note, with easy intervals begging to get back to the home tone. It’s what a non-singer does when forced to write a song he has to sing. While the themes are dark, they neither shock nor provoke empathy. All we get is assorted amateur adolescent angst that could be assisted by amphetamines. It’s a sad album that provides its only musical variation on the final track “Happy Death Men”. If this record has a highlight, this is it, but it’s more of a lowlight. The lone lead solo guitar work is found on this track, and listening to it goes a long way toward explaining why there isn’t more of it. Guitarist Will Sergeant has a very narrow comfort zone, and he has the good sense to stay within it. It seems to me that in a title track about “Crocodiles”, it seems that one could find some actual crocodilian images that might give some meaning. But nope. The listener is pretty much on his/her own. In the song “Rescue”, they ask: “Is this the blues I’m singin’?” No, I don’t think so. More like the blahs. 1/5

This album has the feel of a high energy anti-establishment punk album of the 70's, heard through the haze of heavy sedatives. The tempo is slower, the gritty effects are traded for rich and mellow reverbs, but the bite is everywhere and just beneath the surface. Check out the track "All That Jazz" to hear what I mean. This is a great album and pair perfectly with works from groups like the Clash. I'm surprised that I never really listened to this group, but I know I will be now!

A truly miserable album which is what makes it so perfect.

Whoever made this list had a raging hard-on for British boy bands from the 80s. That being said, this band was one of the slightly better ones. I probably won’t remember it though.

I remember listening to some of this band's later work when I was in college, and I'll never forget their video for 'Bring On The Dancing Horses' (a song from a later album) that always reminded me of Equus, a great play (no idea if the band intended that). This album, their debut (I think), is great. Nice mash-up of rock, post-punk, new wave -- this is all my best guess; I often mess up all these subgenres -- and I like the strong bass lines.

Turns out, I like this band

What a fantastic album. Loved Rescue. This is the sound of my youth, being played at parties by countless cover bands, along with Oingo Boingo, B-52s, REM, U2

9/10, really fun 80s rock while I really liked their first album, the stuff that came after was undeniably better still a damn good start for a band tho

Good album. Really build momentum. I think the sweet spot is Monkeys, Crocodiles, and Rescue. Band sounds good. Good harmonies, crisp vocals, and cohesive new wave sound.

I really enjoyed this album. It’s definitely post-punk with that early goth sound. It has the dark, moody atmosphere of bands like Joy Division and Bauhaus, but with more energy that highlights the punk influences and the new wave sounds bleeding into the music. Since this is their debut, I’m excited to move through their catalog and see how they progress from here.

This is what they call ‘right up my alley’. Its new wave, its got that punch and its structurally interesting. It might be my taste but theres nothing ive got to critique. I could listen to this easily and i think a 5 is in order.

Some debuts stumble around in search of identity, but Crocodiles confidently crawls out of the shadows. Immediately stylish in its songwriting and atmosphere, you'll know after the first three tracks if it's an album for you. The music's not as angular as Wire nor as nihilistic as Joy Division, but somewhere sharply in between. It's got enough teeth to grab you immediately and it's moody enough to put on when you want to inhabit a gloomy feeling. In its era, this is a five-star record, yet on the bradytelic timeline of the music of actual crocodiles, it may only be four stars in the night's sky.

It's a cold October day in 1984, you're driving down to the South of England. You rummage through the unfamiliar car and find a tape from 4 years before and you put it in. You finally see the sign for Brighton as the end of Happy Death Men plays. A fitting song.

Deep and rocking tracks with emotive vocals and

Can't really be objective with this album. It is one of the first post-punk albums i ever heard and I LOVED it from the opening drum flourish to the opening crescendo of Going Up; WOW! I was hooked. I realize the album has its flaws (Happy Death Men), but so moany great songs. Villiers Terrace, the title track (Me i'm all smiles, I got my Croc-O-diles), Rescue, All That Jazz, Monyeys, Stars are Stars, Pictures on My Wall. I know I was onto a band that would become a part of me. 5 stars (though if being objective it would 4.5, but I can't)

Increíble que este álbum sea el debut de los Echo and the Bunnymen. Este nivel de genialidad se alcanza como al cuarto o quinto álbum, si es que se llega alguna vez, y al escuchar Crocodiles parece que estamos escuchando a una banda más que experimentada. Pronto le daré una segunda vuelta y le seguiré con el resto de los discos de Echo y los conejombres.

Again not a bad choice love echo.

100% my thing.

This is #day313 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to post-punk classics again. It's crazy to think this came out 45 years ago. What makes this band stand out in the '80s scene is the psychedelic element in their music. While, say, The Chameleons (one of my favourite bands from the genre) leaned more into goth rock, ethereal wave, and dream pop, the Bunnymen embraced full-on psychedelia, though not without a trace of new wave and punk roots. The instrumentation on the debut is raw and tight: jagged guitars, metronomic drums, and a bouncy bassline. Very much in the vein of Jeopardy by The Sound (another all-time favourite). This is deep autumn music, for wet November days, when the trees are stripped bare... Straightforward, stark, beautiful in its own right. This is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day314.

Was super exciting

A dark and ethereal classic.

Love the guitar work, some of the best post-punk I've heard. Also like the fact that it's short and straight to the point without any dud tracks or anything that seems like filler

Perfection. Plain and simple

Solid

This list of albums you MUST hear before you die was put together by someone who really loves British post-punk, huh? I also enjoy British post-punk, so I'm not mad about it.

Superb. The best bunnymen album.

There’s a buldge in my pants now

Det er jo dem med The Killing Moon. Troede de var et one hit wonder band. Okay det lyder af Joy Division. Samme mørke stemning og til tider det industrialiserede lydbillede som JD også havde på deres debut fra året før. Det her er mega fedt 🖤 Nyt yndlings album. Weekenden skal vist bruges på at lytte mere af deres diskografi

There were two reasons I didn't listen to this band in the 80's. First, it wasn't heavy metal. Second, their name is silly. In the early 90's I had a roommate that gave me RHCP Freaky Styley. Turns out it was just the cover, it had an Echo and the Bunnymen album inside. I was truly surprised at how much I liked it. I don't remember which album it was, but I know it wasn't this one. This album is good but I think they have better. But that's all subjective innit. This is the style of British New Wave I like. I'll probably dive into the rest of their discography today. Solid.

I am a fully signed up Bunnyhead (?) and this is as perfect a debut album as you could ask for. Ian Mcculloch is exactly who Jim Morrison might have been had he grown up in Liverpool in the late seventies, and one of music's best frontmen. De Freitas and Pattinson are a dream rhythm section, as 'angular' as other new wave bands but with a drive and melodic aspect others lacked. Will Sergeant created a guitar sound all of his own, enough said. Have I gone on about how unjust it is that U2 conquered the world while the Bunnymen, the finest of the post new-wave big 3 with them and Simple Minds, did not. It is unjust. The songs? Flawless apart from possibly Happy Death Men which does sound like something they knocked up in the studio in half an hour. 4.9999999. 'Heaven Up Here' is even better.

Kinda reminds me of Grunge

One of my all-time favorites (I very slightly prefer the first three Echo albums and the way the songs play with dissonance to other stuff by them but love their whole career). Villier's Terrace piano part and the Happy Death Men trumpets stood out to me in this listen through. That and Will Sargeant! He's such as virtuoso, doing rhythm guitar things that invite bits of more minimal space into the songs along with unexpected lead guitar licks all over on this album.

Excellent album from start to end.

I love the story from Bill Drummond about seeing the giant rabbit head in the twisted tree that supposedly noone else had noticed at the photo shoot. I can't see anything else. This record is so good my microwave died.

Echo and the Bunnymen is a classic too, very good mix of rock and new wave 😊 5/5

Really enjoyed this one

early 80's new wave fan girl here

This sounds like all those unidentified 80s songs people find on old cassettes, but if they were actually good. Cozy and romantic but also futuristic and ominous.

I really like this, I’ve never heard of this band before but it feels similar to The Talking Heads.

I was surprised to see I rated the other Echo album (which I rated 725 albums ago) 3 stars, even though I'm sure Spotify has put a few of their songs on random playlists for me and I enjoyed them then. Just the same, I really enjoyed the Crocodiles album as well. So maybe that's evolving taste, maybe it's evolving rating standards and maybe Echo And The Bunnymen need the listener to be in an appropriate mood to hit just right. Because this album really did hit just right. More of a 4.5 rounded up, rather than a clean 5, but a very good album just the same. I particularly enjoyed the textural depth of the instrumentation.

It's an interesting album and band.

Again another superclassic 5-star album, just like their second, third and fourth album, which presumably are included on the list as well.

Plagued with sadness and misery, this is a standout album of the Post-Punk era

Already one of my all time favourites!

"Crocodiles" is the debut album from Echo and the Bunnymen with two songs, "Pictures on My Wall" and "Rescue," on the album previously released as singles. This is quite an album. The music is described as post-punk and neo-psychdelic with imagery of darkness and sorrowfullness. Yes, that's all there. To me, the sound is sort of similar to Joy Division's "Closer" and Gang of Four. The band includes Ian McCulloch (singer), Will Sergeant (guitars), Les Pattinson (bass) and drummer Pete de Freitas whom they added after they signed to a label and were encouraged to add a drummer. One of the first things you notice is how prominent each of the band members are. They all make major to contributions to the songs and album as a whole. McCulloch's lyrics are dark and appear very personal. Given the imagery and personal nature leaves a lot of these songs open for interpretation. The lyrics and music match perfectly creating a great dark and somewhat haunting mood. "Going up" starts the album with Pink Floyd type echoes. Check neo-pyschedelic. It builds with a solid rhythm section and sort of a slash-like guitar. "Do It Clean" has great drumming and absolutely great guitar in the middle. I have no idea what this is about, cleaning your room, doing cocaine??? My favorite song on the album is "Monkeys" with just a great guitar intro and chorus. The bass and drums create a great atmosphere. It sounds like the bass is carrying the melody. My guess it's about a change needed in a relationship. The second side starts with their second single "Rescue" and probably their most recognized song on this album. Another great guitar intro going into the melody. Tremendous catchy vocal chorus. Definitely one of their best pop-type songs. The first single was "The Pictures on My Wall" and appears to have a more keyboard-focused chorus. More echoes. Neo-pyschedelia checked twice. The music is a great match for the lyrics which express a state of despair and paranoia. Joy Division and Roxy Music typically get a lot accolades for the best-ever debut albums and rightfully so. But, this is also just a great debut, worthy of a listen and being on this list. They would also have a few other outstanding albums later on in the decade.

What a belter and a soundtrack to my youth!

very cool

5/5 - New wave? The Smiths? This hit the spot :D

Very cool

No está a la altura de Ocean Rain, pero bueno, qué puede estarlo. Sin embargo, bastante bueno.

Great debut album. Very moody with dark vibes. Love the post punk 80s era.

Really liked this one - had a bit of a creepy atmospheric sound and moves into gothic territory especially towards the end. Surprised it's the debut as they seem to have control of their sound already.

Drumming is iconic in early 80s

Early Bunnymen…saw them when they were touring this. Thought it was interesting then and still do. Of its time but still strong

This was great, the drums are so moody throughout. Saw them 10 years ago and I’d done some prep before hand so remember some of these. Rescue is the highlight of the album, Do It Clean could have be made by the Monkees if they did post punk but I like that. Looking forward to more

I’ve meant to listen to these guys for a looong time because I knew they had influenced so many of the bands I enjoy today. It all makes sense to me now. I liked this. It was a long overdue listen and won’t be the last.

Good shit

A breath of fresh air after yesterday's 3-hour jazzathon. Went for a big cycle up the Mournes and played this twice, brilliant stuff. Absolutely love the jangly guitars in this. The drums in the outro to Happy Death Men are unreal.

Crocodiles by Echo & The Bunnymen is one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite bands. The Bunnymen’s lyrics have always been a little surreal and don’t necessarily make sense—that’s part of their appeal. What really makes them stand out is their sound and style, and this album shows that off brilliantly. Tracks like Rescue, Do It Clean and Going Up are absolute bangers, though there are a few filler moments that stop it from being perfect. For me, that’s why Ocean Rain edges it as my favourite Bunnymen record overall. That said, Crocodiles is still a strong 4/5. Favourite track: Rescue and Villers Terrace Least favourite track: None in particular Album artwork: A very cool, striking cover

I’ve made efforts in the last to get into Echo and the Bunnymen and haven’t quite been able to have them leave a lasting impression. Their debut album is good. Not breaking new ground from what was happening in the genre at the time, but they clearly knew what they were doing and that they were worth posting attention to.

One of the great debut albums!

Loved it! Never heard this one before.

i really love the sound of their voice it’s so satisfying. really liked the pictures on my wall

Premier album de E&TB. Je connnaissais rien de ce band à part peut-être The Killing Moon. Il se passe pas graaaand chose dans cet album pour l'instant, sauf la voix de Ian McCullogh, et le band qui construit son identité, son son, le mood est important. Mais ça sonne très proche de ce qui se fait à l'epoque, dans le New Wave / Post Punk. J'apprécie l'écoute ceci dit. Le single principal est Rescue, une pièce pas mal moins dark/moody que le reste de l'album In his review of the album for Smash Hits, Ian Cranna said that the album was "proof positive that there's just no substitute for a good song delivered with power and emotion."

Crocodiles over Ocean Rain??????? They better both be on here. This is a great proto album but I'm not sure it needs to be on this list. I love Ocean Rain, I am a fan of Porcupine, but this album is very much the Bunnymen working towards those two albums. It's still very good, it has that darker sometimes creepy edge that I like more than a lot of their contemporaries but this one is a still a little devoid of that at times. Do It Clean is the standout and the popularity supports that, but it's hard to rate this higher than a high three or the lowest 4 when I know the gas that's coming.

Only knew later records by them, this one is punky and the bass is really holding down the melodies. I liked this quite a bit. I like where they end up, but this was really cool to hear after that awful Live at the Witch Trials record from the Fall. This is so much better. Also Bill Drummond produced this and I can't wait for us to get KLF. Feeling 4/5

Very good debut album of which I was unfamiliar with…familiar with later Bunnymen, this was a welcome listen, a start to hopping down the Bunny trail.

Cool

I know they all rode motorbikes

Nice stuff. None of the songs stuck out but I'm interested in listening again.

not sure why i hadn't really given them a chance but they are pretty good

Good stuff

Definitely Echo and the Bunnymen. Not as iconic as some of their later work, but clearly and distinctly their style and a great debut album.

Not bad

Crocodiles nails that gritty, moody 80's alt-rock sound with raw vocals and jangly, echo-drenched guitars that make it feel like you're wandering through a rainy dreamscape in a leather jacket.

love it

The dawn of the initial wave of post-punk gave us plenty of records to choose from, and Crocodiles by Echo and the Bunnymen is one of those that proves its worth and then some, documenting the band in its beginning stages looking to become the band they were meant to be; the potential is there and the songs on here says as much. Favorites: Going Up, Stars Are Stars, Pride, Crocodiles, Rescue, Read It in Books, The Pictures on My Wall, Happy Death Men.

Crocodiles nestles very comfortably between The Cure and The Smiths

Fantástico

Really interesting. On first listen I feel like it's alternating between early smiths style jangle pop and gang of four or even fugazi. There is definitely something about that guitar and bass tone that feels smithsy. Something about the playing too! I'm now getting interpol! (obviously the later acts will be influenced by these guys)

All right, this was actually a very fun vibe. Some kind of spooky stuff, some just nice dark background listening.

Good band. Good album. Solid 80’s post-punk.

Part of the Post-Punk New-Wave movement with a bit of Neo-Psychedelia for good measure. Reminded me of The Teardrop Explodes, so not really surprised by bonus track "Read It in Books" which is a cover of "Books" by The Teardrop Explodes.

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I'd never listened to Echo and The Bunnymen before at all and I liked this. Great guitar playing and rhythm section - I especially found the drumming really good. The lyrics are melancholy and slightly downbeat but intriguing. Definitely reminds of The Cure and Smiths who are bands I love I found it a bit droney to enjoy for a full album so not quite 5* but one I might revisit for another spin

Saved

Another album I wouldn't have appreciated a few years ago. Very much in line with The Cure, it's chill but alternative. Glad I listened to this.

Highlights: Going Up, Villiers Terrace. In a nutshell: jangly emo post-punk Note: the UK LP has ten songs and the US LP edition has twelve songs. Your experience may vary. I listened to the US LP. As a debut, it's good. Is it distinctive compared to their peers also appearing in the book (The Cure, S&TB, etc)? Not really. Worth a listen though. Overall: 7/10

Oyes

I've never gone deep on this band and I hope they have another album or two on this list because this was very very cool. Was U2 trying to sound like these guys when they started out? Probably. Gloomy post-punk that really rocks. Must-listen #153.

Solid debut album. I enjoy their later work better, but this good too.

I do like the raw, dark post-punk sound on this. It might even be their best album. It’s a good one, but not in the same class as Joy Division who define the this genre.

Seemed more rock then some of their later albums. A pretty good listen.