Crocodiles

Bland and unmemorable.

enjoyed this massively, Joy Division vibes. Can't understand the lyrics half the time though, which stops it being an incredible album

4.2 One of the best post-punk/new wave albums ever!! Fave songs: Do it clean, rescue, going up

- Don't like this as much as the other one by them, but still fun to listen to - Love the 80s production

- Oh no not these guys again - This album is better, nice upbeat vibe - Not something I’d go back to

Mais um disco para me comprovar que não é pra mim a emoção carregada dos sons pós-punk. Pelo menos são menos de 40 minutos do vocal em afetando tristemente.

I Like the instrumental, not always a fan of the vocals

Today's album is another obscure post punk/new wave band from the UK. They apparently take a dark, gloomy post punk sound, and mix in aspects of psychadelica. After listening, that is not true. You can't just spew nonsense lyrics and be considered psychadelica. This is like goth pop. More moaning, talentless ass hats from the 80's. They fall in the same fucked up category as The Smiths, The Cure, or Joy Division (all garbage). Happy Death Men is especially awful. If you are feeling depressed, don't listen to this horseshit, it won't help. I've said it before, if you can't play a musical instrument, don't produce a fucking record. What tool signed these idiots to a record deal. Whoever it was must have been deaf. Trash. I can't wait to forget this bullshit. No redeeming qualities at all. I'll never listen again. Favourite songs: Do It Clean, Crocodiles, Pride Least favourite songs: Happy Death Men, The Pictures on My Wall 2/5

Oh GOOD some more English punk/new wave/whatever. 2nd album of theirs here. Could be worse, it was ALMOST good, but I've heard enough of this stuff to last a fuckin' lifetime in the last 3 years of this project. 3/5.

Gott stöff! Mjög áhugavert band.

Well. If the last album was post-punk with some symphonic flair to it and some experimental parts that made it less poppy which I kind of like, this album is not that. It's just post-punk. I don't find post-punk that interesting in all honesty. The other album I reviewed did have some interesting moments and was not bad, so I rated it positively. This is just not bad. I don't find it to be particularly interesting. No track truly stood out to me. It's just another album. I'll give it, 5/10. Not bad but not particularly good.

Similar to early U2

Not very interesting. They all sound kinda the same and I'm not into this sound

it wasnt good last song isnt available in my country maybe it wouldve swayed my opinion (doubt it though) at least it was pretty mellow, easy to listen to

Pretty aight

Un album qui nous rappelle encore une fois qu'entre 1980 et 1989, les portes de la popularité s'ouvraient à celui qui chantait le plus comme un débile.

Aucun souvenir de cet album, je viens pourtant tout juste de le terminer. Il me semble néammoins qu'on peut apercevoir vers la 12ème piste Nicolas Sarkozy tenter de franchir la rivière aux crocodiles, hormis ça je ne peux rien vous dire de plus.

Really interesting to listen to. A lot of notes similar to like David Bowie and others in that new wave kind of alt music. Also a hint of like the Doors or something. 7/10

I've had very limited exposure to Echo and the Bunnymen, but what I've heard has been great. While the 80's was never a favorite musical era of mine, the post-punk and new wave that came out of that decade holds up better than a lot of the pop and rock. Artists like Siouxsie, Joy Division and Bauhaus were masters of emotion. E&tB are right up there, as far as I can see. The songs on this album go from powerful to fragile to downright spooky. It's a good listen.

It's an interesting album and band.

6/10. Okay, sure, whatever, this was something I had to hear before I died

Sounded like a Cure album with a little bit less direction. Seems very influential on that whole goth rock scene. 7/10

Cool new wave sound.

i feel like the early Aquabats loved this shit

Spacca, molto semplice ma efficace.

Too bland to even come up with any sort of review

Pop-rock sin contemplaciones. Nada del otro mundo. Canciones bastante parecidas entre sí

Ja de va bra. Känns mer som ett jag album än ett Alva album, hon kommer troligen tycka att det var ett average rock-ish album.

Jag diggade albumet. Jag visste faktiskt om de här då jag lyssnat mycket på The Killing Moon och någon mer från samlingsalbumet där gestalter går med en gul bakgrund. Det var najs men måste nog lyssna några fler gånger för att veta vad jag faktiskt tycker

Not bad, but not my thing

Not terrible but mostly works as background music

Okay but never exciting

Think it sounds pretty good but extremely forgetable

Nothing special

Pretty interesting album. Nothing crazy

OK, not amazing. Very on point for that period.

I can already tell I’ll probably like this whole album. I’ll give it a 4 star review and then give it greater consideration later. Funny co-worker story: for whatever reason co-worker thinks I’m a huge fan and he will always work in EATB into the music conversation whenever he can. I guess I should have listened to him then.

English post punk band from the 80’s, here we go again. I wrote that sentence last night prior to listening and after, I stand by it still. When I looked up the band I noticed I think we have had one of their other albums on this list before. I'd be curious what I said on that review and wonder if it is similar to what I'm about to say now. Nothing to write home about, not sure why this is on the list.

Ain't no way. Ain't no way we're already at two albums from this dull British group. Ain't no way there's still a third to come. This isn't just British bias, it has to be a very personal bias by the guy who made this list. What about this band is worth including on a list like this? What at all did they add to the conversation, to the tapestry that is the history of music? I'll wait for an answer. In the meantime, I'll be listening to something else entirely. Favorite tracks: Rescue. Album art: Pretty cool color gradient for what seems like a band photo. I do enjoy this one. 2/5

Kind of a straight-down-the-middle early alt record. While it has the general comparability to classics like London Calling or even The Cure's first outing Three Imaginary Boys, it doesn't manage to capture the creativity, rebellion or catchiness those albums do. I found myself wanting to just move on to the next tune on virtually every track here.

I hear the echoes of so many other bands in this Bunnymen debut, and feel a nagging desire to hop on over to their discographies instead.

This album wasn’t representative of the jams they’re capable of. This was dollar store Cure/Clash.

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 generally exactly fine with echo et al, and this album isnt any different. i liked some stuff, i didnt like other stuff, i’m a bit sick of post punk.

Waahehrwt

Quite good! Classic post-punk is always a treat

Rescue e bänger... men albumet saknar nånting. I postpunk/new wave vill jag ha lite mer consistent sås från bassisten o mer catchy tunes... Gillar int trummorna jättemycke heller, men de e typ alla klagomål. Det är ändå helt bra!

M'eh

good début but they got a lot better later

Cool

"I've been here, I've been there, I've been everywhere". Was this written by a 12 year old?! Every song follows the same boring recipe with the exception of some interesting riffs and hooks. However, that is not enough for me to recommend this album.

Impressive first album. Nothing I knew but all listenable and ages well.

3.5 rounded up. It’s good post-punk in general, but I felt like the overall quality and consistency wasn’t as solid as I’d hoped.

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.

Huge joy division post punk type vibes from the first song. Ian curtis sounding too. Altogether not as good though. they kinda went a little more rocky than most post punk joints and i wasn’t as much a fan

It’s a fine album on its own merits, but as it is so frequently labeled “post-punk,” it is difficult to avoid comparisons to superior outfits such as Magazine, Wire, or Gang of Four. This album comes across as vapid and forgettable compared to anything by those bands. As a pop album, though? It’s alright.

liked it

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

Solid album, I liked it. Probably deserves more listens than the two I gave it, but I can't see my rating go beyond four stars.

Proper song material but I'm not fond of the dreary atmosphere.

I've never listened to their first album. Honestly I prefer their later sound. I feel like Ocean Rain is a far superior album to this.

Fun listen. Feels like the bridge between ABC and The Pixies

What a fun little album

Post-Irgendwas aber insgesamt etwas eintönig, 3/5 for the effort

Fairly forgettable

weird album, never seems to go anywhere and is a bit lukewarm

Meh. I do like the sound but none of the songs really kicked it off for me. weak three, strong two.

Meh, why?

I thought this was going to be a hidden gem starting off, but turned out to be nothing special for me. Still not bad

Just another album

Ok

perfectly mid

Not for me

Cool

EatB debut. I like this but Ocean Rain and Heaven up Here are better. Half way between Joy Division and the Doors(?) Macs voice is distinctive but the guitar of Sargeant is not fully formed.. Some strong songs but the best was yet to come.

Never really got around to this group but I like it. I assume the band Crocodiles is named after this album; if you like this you might like Crocodiles' album Sleep Forever.

Bastante aburrido, solo me ha llamado la atención "Rescue". Hay mejores discos y mejores canciones de este grupo que las incluidas en este Crocodiles.

Pretty good but nothing amazing

3.5

I bought Ocean Rain on vinyl when I was 15 in 1984 but never heard anything from their other albums until I bought the greatest hits album the next year. Rescue quickly became my favorite Bunnymen song!

3.5

Some cracking tunes on this album powered by McCulloch's strong voice. Spent a whole summer (1981?) listening to a 1+1 cassette with this backing U2's Boy.

Enjoyed listening to this again as it has been some time. These first few records were just so great and bring back a ton of memories of junior high as they were coming out. Some nice pop songs that were not hits but rather catchy nonetheless. There are also a few filler songs that make this probably my third favorite E&TBM record but still, a timeless classic.

Very 80s and very simple, but I like it. A few songs blind blend together, though. I feel like it's definitely something that would get picked up easily during the time. I also really like the album cover. Fave track(s): Monkeys

Je hoort heel goed dat het in 1980 is gemaakt en dat het met zijn 37 minuten precies op een LP moest passen. Daar is ook alles wel mee gezegd. Het luistert wel aardig weg, en daarna hoef je 'm nooit meer te horen, want waarom zou je niet gewoon de volgende plaat opzetten.

Hé leuk. Een jaren '80-album. Wat verfrissend na XTC, Kate Bush, New Order, en vier albums die net op 1 of 2 jaar het label '80's missen. Kan je het wel weer naast elkaar zetten. En in vergelijking met de rest, is dit album vooral nietszeggend. Heb mij er (buiten het laatste nummer om) ook niet aan geërgerd. Er is prima bij te werken. Dus laten we het maar een 3 geven. Idee voor een boek: 201 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die?

Clash tussen the Clash en the Cure, maar dan eigenlijk allebei net niet. We krijgen wel veel van die 80s new wave post punk britpoep voor onze kiezen de laatste tijd. Het is dat er een weekend tussen zat, anders had ik dit uit irritatie weer een ster lager gegeven dan ik het eigenlijk waard vind. Under a killing moon is misschien wel het be(kend)ste nummer van ze, maar ja, dat staat op het 4e album en niet hierop. Toch 3 sterretjes: luisterbaar maar geen onuitwisbare indruk.

Not too bad :) 3/5

Too 80s for me to really like much. Decent middle of the album though with the title track then Rescue.

I had it in my head (not ever having listened to Echo & The Bunnymen before) that they were much more modern than 1980, but it seems not. It's a good listen, good energy, a sound that is maybe a bit dated now but definitely wouldn't have been in 1980. It is a bit samey though (apart from the final track), and there's no track that really stands out. Just about scrapes a 3.

Some fun instrumental moments but I really don’t care for here vocals or lyrics at any point.

Echo & the Bunnymen have always existed on the finge of my attention. Glad to finally listen to an album, but not sure there's enough for me to go back to it. Very evocative of the 80s

When this album slows up, there's a sense of spaciousness to the music that lends it an air of stateliness or grandeur. Numbers at a faster clop have an agreeable jaggedness about them. 'Pride' is my highlight. The track 'Crocodiles' sounds like the Stranglers before their fixation on Vikings and aliens. 'Pictures on the Wall' is the Hollies or Herman's Hermits from the nightmare dimension. All to the good. So why does the package as a whole fail to land entirely with me?

Okay post-punk is okay.

Woah, some more post-punk. Crazy.

De wat meer uptempo nummertjes zijn prima te pruimen ('Crocodiles' en 'Villiers Terrace'). De wat meer klagerig gezongen nummers irriteren me een beetje. Al met al doet dit album me weinig. Vergeetbaar. Ergens tussen 2 en 3 sterren in.

This was alright

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

Strong, intriguing opening that kind of devolved into what I think of when I hear "sad 80s goth kid." Not completely without merit. But kind of tedious. 2.5

My first experience with Echo and the Bunnymen. My first impression was very favorable. I went into the album not knowing any of the songs. I’ve heard of the band, and I think they had a song on a compilation album I had back in the 80s. It is something I think will definitely grow on me with time. First time rating: 2.5

Generic 80s rock. Clash did it better

This is a solid debut album, I actually like it more than I remember linking 'Ocean Rain' (their other album I got earlier in this exercise) as a whole. That being said, again I like but don't love the album. Some of the songs are really great, the two opening tracks in particular kick off the album in a great direction. Same overall takeaway as with 'Ocean Rain' though: not an album I think I'd ever find myself adding into regular rotation but if these songs came on, I wouldn't turn it off either. Standout Tracks: Going Up, Do It Clean, Rescue, All That Jazz, Happy Death Men

Listened Before? N I love these guys but I've never listened to this old one before. It's very, very good just like their later stuff. Great raw sounding post-punk/new wave stuff. Very.. well... echoey :-D. I'll probably add this one to the library. It gets weaker toward the end, but still solid. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Do It Clean, Rescue

Awesome energy. This is definitely up my alley. I’ll have to play it a few more times to pay more attention to the songs but I love the performances and the style. The horns that come in on “Happy Death Men” were a surprise. I wish more songs on the album had stuff like that. Feels like a bonus treat on an overall strong album.

Some cool proto-punk from 1980. (I think they call it proto-punk?) I like the first track and it's cool how it goes from loose vocals and spanky guitars to a more toned down groove that feels like a Tears for Fears part. That's a cool contrast. Overall I enjoyed listening to it but it didn't particularly move me in one direction or another. It was just kind of there.

Really enjoyable, loved the sound

Like the Cure it's just a bit miserable, and therefore not much fun to listen to

Brings to mind Simple Minds and Joy Division. Ok, but nothing special - prominent baselines, but nothing particularly athletic. Low 3.

Interesting records. Worth another listen.

Has any record more frequently featured the expression "Do it" more often or had a singer use it more with more conviction, despite the repetition? Likely not though the necessary research to confirm won't be done for reasons of time consumption. Echo are a better band than one remembers, and there are many winning moments on this and a credible arty vibe and solid vocals and guitar work throughout. Not exactly a high-water mark of or post-punk or early alt or New Wave or whatever it's supposed to be called by this time. One doesn't think it sounds as dark today as it likely did then (and not early Cure dark anyway, which was a lot dronier); no these cats were hookier and quirkier, too, which adds up to lighter. Maybe doesn't quite deserve a 4 (and they don't really deserve three records in this list though one's enjoyed listening to the others [as one does in navigating the esteemed compendium] but it gets one anyway because of it's of one's vintage (slightly ahead, actually).

This album was incredibly boring. I kept forgetting I was listening to it.

Yeah a boring ass post punk album like this was not what I needed on a night as frenetic as this. Most of it went in one ear and out the other while I spent all my brain power thinking about other things.

Not interesting at all.

idk if i care about this much. 3 so far.

My reception of this album is suffering from the fact that this is the third of theirs that we've listened to. It's fine, but it's not as good as the other 2, and did we really need 3 albums from this band?

Never listened to this earlier, rawer Echo and The Bunnymen before. It's like a more manic Joy Division with a romantic nostalgia for 60s garage rock and psychedelia. I think I prefer their later, more atmospheric albums.

I am whelmed. It's fine but... plagued by 80s rockness.

Ja, best lekker. Leuk en ontzettend 80’

Echo en de konijnenmannen waren voor mij een nieuwe beleving, die goed beviel. Tof plaatje.

Ik hou enorm van deze sound en de bevlogenheid die hier in zit. Een bepaalde gekte en urgentie die mij elke keer als ik het luister weer enorm aanspreekt. Goeie band!

Doet me hier en daar aan The Cure denken. Het klinkt alsof het goed in elkaar zit, maar het raakt me nergens.

3.75

Didn’t mind it, but not enough to listen to again.

Aye, I wanted more from this, to be caught up in the tunes but it didn't happen. EATB have a unique sound, but you need the tunes to go with it

Not bad, nothing that really wowed me but still enjoyable overall

Already one of my all time favourites!

Meh.

They've done some songs I really like but there's nothing amazing on here, best song Rescue and title track are decent and everything else is fine, but better songs to come later in their career

Awesome sound. Iconic voice. More please!

Nice. I've always liked E&B. This was a fun easy to listen to album.

Rock on, Echo. Rock on, bunnymen.

Cool attitude, nice post punk sort of feel, but a bit more minimal than my taste.

This band still tours after all these years. Another band introduced to me in college. Thank you Jason. Good band with good music. Enjoyed most of the album with Rescue one of my favorites. Really like the guy's voice and just the overall sound. Will listen again. 3.5

2.5-3 I’ve heard of Echo and the Bunnymen because Ghost covered one of their songs, so I was interested in listening to more of the OG. I’m completely and totally whelmed by this album. It sounds like another band that I couldn’t quite put my finger on (The Clash maybe?) . Anyway it doesn’t sound anything like I expected based on the Ghost song. But not in a great way. It was fine. Some really cool bass licks here and there, some pretty broody lyrics that I kind of liked but I just can’t imagine this leaving much of a lasting impression. Idk. Whelmed.

4 I raised an eyebrow when I saw I was about to listen to an Echo and the Bunnymen album without any of the hits on it, but mad props to this list for highlighting it, because this is an absolute hidden gem. For me, this is new wave at its best - gothic, yet danceable. Going Up is a catchy kickoff that sets the tone for the rest of the album nicely (as all great openers should), and despite listening in an office cubicle, I couldn't help but bob along to Do It Clean (yeah, yeah, I know it wasn't on the original release, but it was on the version us Americans got, so I'm counting it). Admittedly, not every song is a standout, but they all do a great job of maintaining the atmosphere and energy of the album, and nothing feels out of place. Will be listening again. Favorite songs: Do It Clean, Going Up, Monkeys, Rescue

British Punk, not really for me.

This is a solid album, but I'm not quite sure I should listen to it before I die. Just okay. Top-to-bottom okay.

The album is neither incredible or incredibly boring. It is nice though, and for being produced in the late 70s, released in 1980, we can sort of hear the transition from disco electronica to what would become an eventual overuse in the decade. Recording wise, no deep bass, more of a thumpiness without feeling, just presence that there's a bass. That may have more to do with how grooving Echo & The Bunnymen tended to be on this album. Crescendos such as in the song "Monkey" have some of that deep bass note, but it is quite muted not allowed to carry. The rest of the songs tend to follow the recording practices of decades prior where everything is packed together playing on the same track. Drums sound electronic, probably were. The cymbals are too perfect, the snare too consistent, unless of course the drummer is just that professional. All in all, the album feels very polished with everything just done so well. Maybe a little too well. Why 1001? This review has not really found the answer to that, except that tracking how the sounds changed each decade, this album bridges that disco era with rock & roll of the 80s eventually giving way to the reverb-happy methods that would become rather common. "Happy Death Men" is an example of some of that sound, not to mention a little bit of adlib/chaos at the song's conclusion. Neither incredible, or boring.

okay?

Nothing I'd go back to but a solid enough listen for this genre

Good rock feel for this album. I enjoyed the listen but it's not something I'll come back to. Nothing really stood out that made this more unique from other albums around the same time.

Generic, unforgettable, bland

I found this to be derivative and boring.

Great goth rock vibes, had listened to some Echo and The Bunnymen and this is as quality as the rest I had heard Favorites: Stars are stars, Crocodiles, Rescue

Great post punk album, really enjoyed this more than the later echo albums Iv heard.

Good vibe and I can see its influence in other music.

I love this band but this album did nothing for me.

Good album, a bit dark and nothing stood out too much but I had a good time listening to it. 3.5 / 5

Clean rock album... Was surprised by a few songs and melodies at some point but other than that it felt pretty standard rock that I enjoy only for the rock aspect... 3/5

This is a pretty fantastic debut album from Echo and the Bunnymen. Jagged, yet darkly beautiful vibe. There isn't a flaw to speak of on it except that it lacks the variety and depth of their later works. But wow, what a great start. Fave Songs: Do It Clean, Rescue, Crocodiles, Stars Are Stars, Pictures on My Wall, Happy Death Men

Noir-drenched baselines for creatures of the dark.

Spiky raincoat rock by maudlin sullen scousers. It's earnest for you to feel how miserable it is and it will go and sulk its room until you do understand. Which you probably never will. Best Tracks: Do It Clean; Rescue; Villiers Terrace

I was expecting more. I like the sound a lot, but I feel there was something lacking here. I know they developed their song writing over the next few albums, so I'll be excited to hear more.

Näitä on 20 tusinassa ja mitään omaa erottuvaa soundia en tästä löytänyt. Aavistuksen painuu ärsyttävän puolelle ja levyn päättyminen oli kuunneltaessa helpotus.

Laulu taas tota samaa, plääh. Muuten ihan ok

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

Very mediocre with nothing standing out. Just fairly bland, like The Cure but without any melodic sensibility.

Dark and brooding, a good listen

Best Song: Happy Death Men. I actually liked the noisy and cacophonous outro. Worst Song: The Pictures on My Wall. For several songs on the album, it feels like the vocalist is doing a bad Bowie impression. This feels like the worst of those cases. Overall: Just dull. Not sure why this stood the test of time, or why it's considered noteworthy now. Inoffensive and generic.

This was pretty good. It felt a little repetitive, but generally I liked it.

I feel bad giving anything one star, but I suppose it exists for a reason. I'm sure this band is great and I just don't get it, but I just don't find this to be an enjoyable listen.

I can see why people would like it, but not my style.

I love the rawness of this album. For me it has a dark gritty unpolished feel. The later albums are great but for me this has an anger and urgency that sometimes was produced out of their later, when they became full on Indie heroes. Great stuff...

Did not age well. Very indicative of the sound at the time.

Warming up for greater things.

"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.

Almost a 5, but there’s a bit of filler on Side 2. Still an astonishing debut

Well, it didn't suck. But it also wasn't very good. These boys clearly have some skill, they just didn't do much with it. I wanted more than I got out of this album.

greit nok

Huske kje så masse fra da, så e vel ein grunn til at eg aldri har tatt Echo and the gang heilt inn i varmen

Never heard of this band before. Decent English post punk vibe that i'm sometimes in the mood for.

What a belter and a soundtrack to my youth!

Nice and mopey, but also groovin'.

Middling 3

An great debut post-punk album that sounds so familiar in today's ears. It's exactly what lots of teen punk/rock bands aspire to produce, something that's moody, mysterious, full of angst, horror and despair. Best: Rescue Worst: Happy Death Men

6/21/2022 - ALBUM #145 Today's Album: "Crocodiles" by Echo & the Bunnymen - As a punk rock album, this was quite an enjoyable listen. Firstly, the production is quite good and I really like how the album opens up with this sort of psychedelic soundscape before getting into a solid punky groove. The drums and bass come through really clearly and I like how the guitar is sort of used as an auxiliary instrument on a lot of these tracks. The overall asthetic of this project is this sort of beautiful darkness. Like yes, the awkward, strained vocals and punchy grooves give it that dark and moody vibe, but the band adds this sort of color to each track. The track Do it Clean, for example, is this sort of surfy garage rock track and the dark and dreary tone of it is made really enjoyable through a pretty catchy hook and some smart production choices. The album does sort of get bogged down in the later half of the tracklist with a lot of similar sounding or generally boring tracks, but I do really like the way this album closes off with Happy Death Man. The bass guitar kind of acts as a rythmic anchor as a bunch of jangly keys and dissonant chords make you feel like you're in some sort of haunted saloon and the build up to the end of the album is really stunning. There are a lot of really great sonic ideas on this album and I really enjoy when the vocals take a step back for some really well done experimentation. Overall, this is a solid punk project with a lot of creative sonic ideas and although it gets bogged down in some areas, the shining moments make up for it by a mile. Give this one a listen if you're pretty used to punk and want a dark and moody, but mentally managable album to spin. Highlights: Going Up, Do it Clean, Pride, Crocodiles, Read it in Book, Happy Death Man Score: 7/10 Cool and unique punk rock with some subpar tracks

Uninspiring

Meh, not really my bag. Didn't hate it. Didn't love it. Solid 3.

Good album. A solid 3

7th June 2022 Actually listened on the day after because this was the day we moved to Painswick! Anarchic driving punk. 3.5 if I could.

Casual, upbeat. Not too heavy, not too light.

fine

Incredibly unremarkable half an hour of music that's pretty much one long and fairly boring song. Clearly, this list's curator likes their bunnies

It was all very bland. Nothing exciting burrowed into my brain from this listening, it just really missed the mark for me. Which is disappointing because The Killing Moon is a gorgeous song that I love, so I was looking forward to this album. But it’s not on here and these bunnymen are a few years away from that greatness yet.

There really wasn't much to differentiate Echo & a lot of the other post punk bands at that time, except for Ian McCulloch's voice and style, which can be predictable. I prefer the more lush sounding material they put out later.

This is a decent debut post punk record with Rescue being the highlight. Their later albums are better eg with the Killing Moon, but they get an extra point for being one of the pioneers of the post punk sound with driving bass / guitars and drums. I do think the Cure and New Order were on a higher level though.

That's gonna be a no from me.

This makes some decent background listening. The arrangements are solid, but the songwriting is neither here nor there. After one listen I can't recall any of the hooks or choruses.

Interesting early 80s new wave-ish rock

first listen pretty forgettable

An excellent little post punk debut before they evolved their sound to incorporate more new wave influences. Great basslines, love the drumming in All That Jazz. Horns in Happy Death Man are fun.

I knew Echo existed, but had never listened to anything by them. Not bad. Pretty standard 80s fare imo.

I quite enjoyed this. The music is urgent and jarring in places and the lyrics dark and introspective. 'The Bunneymen's influence on MSP is apparent across this album. In particular, 'Of Walking Abortion' seems to have borrowed heavily from 'Pride'. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Monkeys Date listened: 13/04/22

You can really tell this is the debut album of the band. The songs felt raw and unpolished. In fact, if you had told me that this was a demo tape for a band, I would have not been surprised. A lot of these felt like a producer should have worked with them more, developed them into better songs. I could not pick out the "hit" of this album. It's not that they all sounded the same, but no song stood out above the rest. So a big "meh" from me.

Yeah, I still don't get these guys. Theirs was one of the first albums I listened to when starting this list and now close to 200 albums later I thought I might have a more enlightened perspective. Not really. I've found I like punk and post-punk more than I thought. I originally likened them to The Smiths or The Cure but now I see them more as a go-between of punk (The Stooges or Undertones) and Shoegaze (Jesus & Mary Chain). I don't dislike them. I just don't see myself going back for much. Do it Clean was the only track that really resonated with me.

Basically they're a weirder version of U2. That's good, because I like weird and I like U2.

Didn't know this one, but knew the artist. I like it quite a bit. Listened through twice. Very good post-punk. Would listen again.

Pretty good post-punk, a genre I'm usually not a massive fan of. "Going Up" and "Monkeys" stood out the most to me.

First of all, I accidentally reposted my Count Basie review for yesterday. I didn’t actually get to listen to that album so RIP Anyway, I’m not very familiar with these guys, but I thought that this was alright, nothing special. I feel like I’d be more impressed if I got into them before Depeche Mode or New Order, since it sounds kind of bland in comparison. Still, it’s a solid synth rock album and I like that it never steers too close to one tempo. I believe that their first few albums are supposed to be pretty good, so maybe I’ll like the next one on here better. C

Was late to this and unfortunately only got one listen in. I can dig it. 3

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

I didnt enjoy this, it washed over me and I have no real memory of it at all

Steengoed rock album, heb er wat van in mn eigen lijst toegevoegd

Great bass line - “Crocodiles”

I saw Echo and the Bunnymen play a fairly weedy set at a festival in 2019, almost forty years after their debut album "Crocodiles". Ian McCulloch was planted in the middle of the stage, looking distinctly pissed off, and said about two words in between songs. In fact, he looked a bit like how I felt listening to much of this album. Echo and the Bunnymen are a band I've never quite liked as much as I thought I would, and this was no exception. In their debut, they haven't quite carved out the niche they'd fit comfortably into by "Ocean Rain", of a band executing polished symphonic pop-rock with gothic undertones. Here, things are less defined and a little shapeless. It's a slow start, quite clearly aligned with the gloom-laden atmospherics of early Cure but without the melodic sensibilities. Things do pick up though, only really kicking in on the second side with the back-to-back hits of "Rescue" and "Villiers Terrace" (by far the best tracks here). Even if the songs aren't always up to scratch, there's no denying that the band are in spirited form, with chiming guitar lines and McCulloch's voice warming into its role as the front and centre. There's the promise of greater things to come from them… and I'm sure that having more to prove, they would have put on a better show here than they are doing nowadays.

Drug music for fashionable people and cute, arty girlfriends with better than average taste in music and taste for synthetic buzzes. That’s what comes to mind, anyway. A shade darker and moodier than I remember, with strong vocals and guitar. Some clever touches (the piano on “Villiers Terrace,” the closing “jam” [by new wave standards, anyway] on “Happy Death Man”) but sort of generic and simple-sounding at times, a prototypical new wave record, and in a way. 3.675 – not really a 4 because of being vaguely undistinguished and not really their best work, but better than a 3 and of my generation so … 4

Another faceless 80s alternative band that I could never differentiate from all the other faceless 80s alternative band. Pretty good, but nothing that really stands out. 3 stars.

Pretty boring

British post-punk, don’t have much new to say there

Such a strong debut album, very atmospheric and dark. 4.5/5 stars

It was good but not great. I thought it was note their best album but it was a solid one.

It's fine

I firming believe that that echoey lofi sound many 80’s records have came to be when recording artist found their music was being played on lame cassette players and were like “why bother with the quality of the sound?” This is enjoyable and sounds quite influential although I don’t like the recording style

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

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

No le pude encontrar el por dónde

Not my fav echo and bunnymen record. This is their poor mans joy division phase.

This was the debut album of Echo and the Bunnymen and while it's good, it feels too early in their eventual discography to fully represent their sound. Or, I dunno, was it really all downhill from here? I guess what I'm saying is that "The Killing Moon" is too much of a bright star and that anything that isn't it is going to get lost in its shine.

Yeah. Hmm. I want to like it. I just find it needlessly nihilistic. Crocodiles is fun. Yeah.

Rhythm sections are a natural way to taxonomize post-punk band, and the ministrations of this one are precise. The growth on the substrate is a little too jangle pop, but the lyrical blend, dark and bare, is effective. This is an album in a tradition I love: British four-piece with Win-Butler-voice. But I'm spoiled by modern forms. The crystal guitar in All That Jazz and spiraling weirdness of Happy Death were high points, mysteriously left for last.

Was very excited for it initially but nah it is decent. Solid post-punk.

You can hear the start of something. But one listen is probably enough for me.

Good not great.

Nothing as good as the killing moon but still good

Décent vibes

2022.01.13

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!

I like Echo And The Bunnymen. They have tracks that I regularly listen to, but I'm not sure if I have listened to a full album from the band. "Rescue" and "Monkeys" were the tracks I liked the most. This album sounded like Echo And The Bunnymen. I liked the album, but I'm not sure if I would round up to 4 stars.

Crocodiles is the debut album by Echo & the Bunnymen. The Wikipedia page states it is post-punk , but I would call it new wave. “Rescue” and “Pictures on My Wall” are highlights on an album with Bowiesque melodies and poetic lyrics.

Album was ok. Every song sounded the same. New Age early 80’s UK punk

It's ok, nothing mind blowing

some catchy riffs sometimes, the lyrics are fun sometimes, but nothing really stands out to me.

crap

It’s an ok rock album. Nothing really stands out. It’s the first album by this band and it has some variations on what came before and has a unique voice but Ocean Rain is a little bit better. 5.1/10

Quite energetic to listen but did not get any outstanding bit

very cool

Didn’t get to listen to the whole album but I liked what I heard. Consequently 3*

Started off quite well as something a bit different. Did drag though.

Für mich ist die Band ein One Hit Wonder - The Killing Moon aus Donnie Darko ist einfach super (und nicht auf dem Album drauf). Das Album find ich nicht schlecht aber fad.

Mag den style prinzipiell, aber ist mir bissl zu flach und berechenbar

Nothing special

not for me

Another band I first heard of through the old 80s Gang of Printers bootleg merch catalogs I used to love poring over as a teen. I don't know I ever listened to any up to this, British punk and post-punk not really being my thing. It's clear enough how deeply ingrained these kinds of early outgrowths of punk are in the grunge and alternative scenes to come. I liked it.

It's ok. Very 90's and drones on, but ok.

meh

almost too weird at times, but ok overall.

Hard to rate after just one listen. I imagine it would grow on me.

Decent, no stand out songs for me. I'd say a 3.5

Good new wave with enough punk vibes to keep me interested. Will probably give a second listen at some point Fave track: “Crocodiles”

Bad

3/5 it was okeyish

mola

Rock psicodélico animado

Oscuro melódico. 4.

We have clearly established that I don’t like post punk. This was better than most but I’m really bored of this genre now.

Ongedwongen pop-muziek. Niks mis mee. ****

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.

Un dels grans discos del postpunk, que destaca per la seva originalitat. Clarament del gènere, però sense l'ostentació fosca d'altres grans figures. Més orientats a les melodies crepusculars, amb uns treballs de guitarres increïbles i la veu inconfusible de McCulloch. Els seus quatre primers discos són per anar recuperant i disfrutant

Totally enjoyable listen, did some interesting things too. Favorite tracks are probably Going Up and Pride

they're always good fun. plus, you know, soft spot for liverpool. humorously enough, of the maybe four humans i know in liverpool, one's cousin dated les pattinson back in the day. also, down by the liverpool docks, there's an echo & the bunnymen superlambanana, which is awesome in every way. anyway, i like this album plenty. great sound for 1980, and definitely a taste of what was coming from them.

Nice music.

3.7 - A post-punk record with softer, less austere instrumentation and more pop-oriented focus. As an album it feels composed, coherent but I'm missing a sense of atmosphere and drama.

A nice surprise

Fine, not something I needed to listen to before I die. Post-punk.

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 🌟

Nicht richtig furchtbar, aber auch nix besonderes. Muss man nicht gehört haben.

There's people rolling around on my carpet!

It’s hard for me not to compare this to early U2, but I dig it!

just so uninteresting

I don't have a super in-depth review of this one. I'd never heard of these guys before. But this is a pretty solid sound overall. It's an interesting mix of New wave and post-punk and I really like it actually. Definitely worth the listen and will probably get a few other listens too.

I found Ocean Rain to be much more interesting. Best track: Happy Death Men

Pretty average. Weaker than Ocean Rain

It was ok. Kind of monotonous.

Not my favourite, but reminded me a bit of The Clash

Favourite songs: Villier's Terrace, Crocodiles, Stars Are Stars, Monkeys, Pictures on my Wall. The only low point was Happy Dead Man.

singer is too similair to the doors

Moody

Meh

Neat instrumentation, but I didn’t care for the vocalist, and no individual songs really stood out

meh.

3/5 probably won’t listen again but decent album

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Do it clean, Monkeys, Crocodiles, Happy death man

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

An intricate album, melodic and rewarding. Will definitely listen again.

Great album!

I like this band but this album doesn't do it for me. I wish it had more energy.

Pretty good, nothing really stood out to me tho.

fine

Gonna be honest. Didn’t listen but it won’t let me hit didn’t listen so sorry about the star if you guys listened to it and enjoyed it

An album I had missed previously, but a good listen. You can hear the influence it has had on future post-punk bands

Quite boring in my opinion. Everything kinda sounded the same and nothing really stuck out as great. Vocals are weak too.

Pretty boring listen, not good, not bad. Just kinda there.

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*

Didn’t know this band, what a pleasant surprise!

This is pretty decent, but very 80s-sounding. 80s with a little bit of the 70s grime left over. Interesting. I asked Pablo why all 80s albums sound so flat and tinny and he said everything sounded like that until hip hop came out and brought the bass. No bass until then. Makes so much sense. This is a decently boring album. I'd give it a 3 rn. This shit is boooooooring. Can't wait for it to be over. Pablo had me listen to their self-titled and it's INFINITELY better than this album. Why couldn't that be on the list?!

Very cool

A really good album maybe let down by production, which on certain tracks sounds quite amateurish, it sounds like Crocodiles & Rescue were done in a different studio than the tracks before. I’ve no idea if they were but sounds like it. Anyway, great stuff mostly.

Somehow i've never knowingly listened to echo and the bunnymen. maybe at an indie club night or something. there's quite a lot of interesting music in there, but the sound isn't something that appeals to me much.

Pretty unremarkable stuff. But alright I guess.

Classic 80's British Post-Punk album! Moody music that can sound good in most situations.