Porcupine

Dearest reader, As of this review, I’ve completed my 365th album in this ordeal. One year worth of albums, an anniversary of sorts - my first few weeks I wasn’t doing weekend albums, so it has, in fact, been more than a calendar year. In honor of my achievement, a retrospective, some takeaways and an airing of grievances from the past year: -I still think The Smiths are awful. This list has not changed that one iota and despite having completed all 3 Smith records, I still have 4 Morrissey records to listen to. That is the greatest injustice the list has served upon me. -These are the best albums I was introduced to via the list: Gil Scott Heron/Brian Jackson - Winter in America; Belle and Sebastian- Tigermilk; Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, A True Star; Little Simz - Grey Area; The United States Of America - s/t; Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene; Milton Nascimiento/Lo Borges - Clube da Esquina -The Residents album isn’t as bad as you think it is. -Elvis Costello sucks, but in a way he also kind of doesn’t. That’s why he is the worst. -There’s way too much Britpop on this list. -There’s way too much mopey British alt-rock in general. -“Why isn’t Stereolab’s “Dots and Loops” on this list?” has pretty much become a mantra for me. -I can’t proofread worth a shit. -Most of your reviews are underwhelming: “meh…not for me”; “this punk rock record is repetitive”…step up your game kids, it’s embarrassing. Now, for the record at hand, “Porcupine” by Echo and The Bunnymen: God, living under Maggie Thatcher must have been fucking miserable. That much is papable when listening to these 80’s British alternative records: it’s like going spelunking in a pit of despair. “Porcupine” is definitely better than a lot of the others from its time; a little more experimental and psychedelic than the rest of the lot, so it gets some bonus points for that. With that said, and in the wise words of the reviewers on this site: “Meh…not for me”.

I'm not saying <checks notes> Echo and The Bunnymen aren't a significant band, but do they really deserve a whopping 3 spots on the list? Is this really the best music humanity has to offer out of all the albums in the world?

This is the third album by these guys here. They're relative nobodies but they keep turning up. You have to be fucking kidding me. They're not bad, they're just an inoffensive and bland cure knockoff. They shouldn't be in this list once, let alone 3 times. 2/5.

This might indeed be the darker side of Echo & the Bunnymen and what really stuck out to me is how this psychedelic post-punk album really is shoegaze avant la lettre. The album is filled with oriental influences by the collaboration with Shankar (not Ravi, a different one) and quite uptempo and aggressive rhythmic material throughout the album. Songs like The Cutter, Back Of Love and Heads Will Roll are prime examples. But besides these there are also the steps sideways, like in My White Devil and Higher Hell, where the experiments with sounds and buildup work incredible. The more experimental Porcupine and Gods Will Be Gods might take an extra listen but when you do it's fully worth it and they turned out my favourites of this album. 4,5*

Ah, the elusive 3.75/5 rating – the "I'd swipe right but wouldn't take home to meet the parents" of album scores. It's the musical equivalent of a solid B-minus, where the tunes are catchy enough to hum in the shower but not quite anthem-worthy for a road trip. It's like a culinary dish that's one spice away from perfection; you can't help but go back for another taste, hoping it'll hit that 4/5 sweet spot on the second listen. Keep those headphones close; you never know when the urge to bump it up to a 4 will strike!

I’ve already got one other echo and the bunny album, it was pretty good. Don’t really have any expectations. The cutter is quite good. I forgot how good of a voice this guy has. The instrumental is also great Back of love is also good. Catchy chorus. My white devil is also great. I already said it, but I really like this guys voice. Clay is great. I’m enjoying this album more than I expected… Porcupine, despite being the title track, was weak in my opinion. Still good, but not as a good as the rest. It picks up at the end though. Heads will roll is also really good. Ripeness is also really good. I really can’t get over how much I like this guys voice. On ocean rain, I liked it, but I didn’t think it was incredible. To be fair, that wasn’t my second album, this one is in the 70s. Maybe this has changed my music taste. I’m currently having a mental battle in my head whether to give this 5 star, cause I’ve got a 5 star album yesterday and 3 days ago and I feel like I’m being too generous. We’ll see though. Higher hell is also good. This one of those albums I can’t particularly decide why I’m enjoying it so much, but it just feels like a 5. I’m enjoying this thoroughly. Gods will be gods is good. Not anything special but not bad enough to take away from my current ranking. Bluer skies is in a similar spot to the previous track. Fuel is the last of the original songs, so I’ll stop my song by song ratings here. And it’s good. Not incredible but good. Overall: very good, but I’m starting to lean away from 5 star. Mainly because of the fact that as soon as it was done, I wanted to listen to yesterday’s albums again. Still good though.

Not exactly my jam, but a good listen. If I need a melancholy album, this would be a good pick. I had a album from The Cure yesterday. To me this album fills kind of that same role, but I prefer this instead. A little more energy which was cool. But I probably won't listen again.

These guys transcend the general distaste I have for a lot of British rock from this era that this list has exposed me to. I like the kind of gothic, epic scale of some of the songs. Cool band for sure.

Name something that follows the word "pork". "Upine"

Favourite track of the album The Cutter.

This album was fine but I just cannot listen to A Man Who Sounds Like That

Well this has the best song of all time on it, The Cutter, so naturally this album is also a certified K Town banger. There are several others on here too I that love, but that one will always stand out to me. Saw then live earlier this year and they did such a great performance. I find this music nostalgic for what the music scene must have been like in Liverpool. Knowing a few people who saw them live in pubs around those early days it must have been so exciting. They were young but had such a mature sound. Will always love this album!

Very dark, noisey, melodramatic post punk with wailing vocals - love this! I've been in a Bunnymen kinda mood, so this fit perfectly. The Cutter is my all-time favorite from the band & it's so in your face, it overstimulates the senses in the most gothy way possible. I've heard some of these songs live (seen the band twice), but I've never listened to the album in full - shame on me. Damn, this was jarringly good. I loved it so much, I listened to it five times. There are so many layers of instruments & sounds that you normally don't hear in rock music. It's intricate & reminded me of The Beatles Revolver mixed with The Cure Pornography. Wow...fucking brilliant.

10/10 god I need more Echo & The Bunnymen in my life

Of Echo's first four albums, I've found this to be their best, it goes deeper into their psychedelic and gothic influences more than the other four, but also seems to probably be the least well liked. It may not have a big standout song like the others do (though The Cutter is really good) but makes up for it with consistency, all the tracks on here are really good.

Great 80’s post punk album, dark and moody, so right up my street. Don’t know if this is more sonically experimental, or I’m just in a better mood today but I think I prefer this over Ocean rain and crocodiles. Think I’ll Need to go back and re listen to the other two. Though I don’t think there needs to be 3 echo and the bunnymen albums on the list, if I had to keep one it would be this one.

This was a bit of an odd one. It took me a few listens to get into it. Moody, murky and atmospheric, yet experimental. It's classed as post punk but sounds more pop shoegaze a lot of the time. My biggest gripe with this is the singer as I find his vocal style a bit grating.

This was a great new wave album containing gothic rock, rockabilly, and pop influences. What impressed me most always the diversity of instrumentations and the diversity of synth sounds used. This have the album a textured feel where it easily could have relied too heavily on stereotypical 80s synth presets.

Kind of like The Cure but less interesting and worse singing.

Goths, man.

Ever so marginally better than the other Echo & The Bunnymen album on this list I did already, but not by much. Still bland and did not enjoy a single song here

Catchy, complex, fun.. we’ve got it all here. Such a good album.

Oh this was great. Honestly sounds like the album U2 wanted to make

Damn, Ian McCulloch could sing! Like, of course. But, when he get going, it’s so hard not to sing along at full volume. Lots of great stuff here. Truly one of the best new wave bands of all time. Might be their best record. Everything about this is infectious. Hard not to love it.

Super biased but i love every second of this album

Got me jerking my shit

One of my favourite bands with Ian McCulloch haunting vocals. Never had this album but discovered a few new songs I’d not heard before. Like the alternative versions too and I’m sure 40 years ago I would have been dancing to Never Stop discotheque version.

Enjoyed this very much. I've listening to their more popular albums more, but think I missed how good this one is.

I like Echo and the Bunnymen, always have, but even I can admit that being served a third (!!) album from them is a bit much. That said, this project has revealed I don't just like them, I love them. I can't help it, five stars.

Heck yeah. Dig these guys. I've listened to this before and it's a grower. The track Porcupine is a masterpiece. Weird psychedelic for the first half and up tempo rock for the second. I don't put this band on a lot but I really enjoy them when I do. Listen to it until you get it.

¡Qué chulo! Parecido a James. The Cutter se parece a canción de LHR, el estribillo.

¡Qué chulo! Parecido a James. The Cutter se parece a canción de LHR, el estribillo.

Great! 2nd Best Bunnymen album!

August 8, 2024 It’s been a long road to get to a THIRD Echo album Gee willikers I did not care about this album until about 10 seconds into “The Cutter”, & now it’s one of my favourite albums in a minute. I didn’t get the gothy fix I was craving with The Sisters of Mercy, but Porcupine, with its strange song structures, “found” percussion & cavernous reverb, gets me there. The austere glacier on the front cover talks a mean talk, but is appropriate for the icy contents within

I am surprised how much I liked this album especially considering how many people are calling this mid or that they don't like the singer (I think he has a great voice). The first half of this album is great, a lot of great songs and melodies. The production overall is really good too; peak 80's sound. They even beat the cure to this sound that they would adopt on Head on the Door. The second half isn't as strong, but it is still very enjoyable. I am definitely going to listen again and can see this growing on me on future listens. 4.5

Delightful blast from the past. Grabbing their discography for a deep dive.

Postpunk without the anger, New Wave without the synthesizers, and now with Indian strings! Not too mainstream to be down, not too obscure to be relegated to cult status, riding the ideal 80s cool balance.

First four E&B albums are 5-star classics. This is number 3 (to my surprise it is often seen as their best album -it certainly is their most consistent one, very strong songwriting: nonstop classic popsongs with those typical postpunk guitars) 10/10

Этот альбом на меня произвел огромное впечатление. Несмотря на то, что это пост-панк, он безумно светлый, дающий надежду и открывающий веру в себя, прекрасно подходит для прослушивания подросткам. После его прослушивания я записал все самое главное, что мне нужно для того, чтобы стать тем, кем я хочу, и как относиться к этому миру, у меня появилось еще больше силы двигаться вперед и бороться за себя: "Нет ничего важнее меня и моих интересов". Я гулял по улицам и пил Джин-тоник "Manchester", стараясь почувстовать атмосферу Англии 80-х годов прошлого века, идеальный сладкий напиток для этого) Больше всего мне понравились эти песни: "Clay" (в особенности), "The Cutter", "Back of Love", "In Bluer Skies", "Porcupine", "My White Devil", "Ripeness". То есть почти весь альбом, хоть и были песни не совсем удачные на мой взгляд. Невероятный вокал Иэна и удивительно отточеная и интересная игра на барабанах музыканта создают невероятную атмосферу, клавишные возносят, как и вокал, песни к небесам, а бас , как и во всем пост-панке умно и звонко вписывается в каждую композицию. Это как Joy Division, но у Echo & the bunnymans пластинка веет надеждой, чистотой и дает направление. Пока это лучший альбом из прослушанных.

Tied with Ocean Rain for their best release. Similar to early U2, it's a late post-punk release with a tight arena pop production and tons of energy and passion that puts Echo And the Bunnymen leagues above competitors. What stands out from others is there distinguishable dark and psychedelic sound. The atmosphere and vibe are lush and ethereal with a dramatic gothic vocalist that almost rivals Robert Smith's similar style from the period. The songs are loud and catchy, with several memorable hits that each have far more interesting stuff happening than just catchy choruses and riffs. They also feel complete. Each song evolves but yet always resolves to a satisfying conclusion, making each song complete in their own right. The only tracks I'd cut which didn't contribute anything are "Higher Hell" and "Gods Will be Gods", as well as the bonus cut "Fuel" (which is cool on its own but doesn't fit well).

Yes! One of the all time great bands and this LP is fantastic

Excellent.

This was incredible. Loved listening to this album. They've always been another band that I've been meaning to check out more of. So glad this came up. Will definitely be checking out some more.

cool

5/5 I had trouble getting into other Echo albums but this one had more to offer in terms of sound experiments. Not a big fan of the vocals - very uniform style and sound - but the rhythm guitar and varied percussion kept drawing me into the songs. Others have noted the similarity to other bands, but I enjoyed experiencing the songs as "what if this was U2?" or "how would this fit into an MBV record?" Specifically Gods will be Gods as MBV or even the Doors.

Absolutely love this sound!

Their album Crocodiles made me question whether or not I was a real fan of Echo and the Bunnymen. This one made me remember that I was. It benefited from the closer listen that I was able to give today. When I tried listening a second time while driving and cooking (not at the same time), it didn't come through as well. But despite that I will go with my first impressed impression.

It just struck me listening to this that there is a happier The Smiths quality to Echo & The Bunnymen. I really enjoyed this album. Some very interesting lyrics - like My White Devil opening with the delightful "John Webster was one of the best there was". I don't recall hearing any of these songs before, but even the somber, draggier tunes managed to pick themselves up midway and shake off the whininess. It's packed with very likable tunes like The Cutter, The Back of Love, Heads Will Roll, and In Bluer Skies which all could have been hits I enjoyed back in the day. This album is a lot of fun!

A great piece of neo psych post punk. Murky and dirgelike enough for the whole family

John Webster was one of the best there was. He was the author of two major tragedies. The White Devil and the Duchess of Malfi-O. You've either already bailed or you're on board. The lyrics are abstract to the point of absurdity, but the Bunnymen are perhaps one of the ultimate atmosphere bands. And this one is perhaps their densest, least user-friendly vibe. Singles The Cutter and The Back of Love are ridiculously catchy, but its perhaps their gloomiest album. Every time I listen to it it gets better and better, whereas Ocean Rain sounds a bit thinner, a bit more calculated. I will go to my grave convinced that Bono stole the world-conquering crown that was the Bunnymen's by right.

¡Qué chulo! Parecido a James. The Cutter se parece a canción de LHR, el estribillo.

This really is a great album that doesn't really qualify as post-punk anymore since it is not that much punk left anymore - and that is very much a good thing! I thoroughly enjoyed these dreamy (but not too dreamy) landscapes of music.

Loved this

Strings are melodrama. No way around it, something like Porcupine seems to insist. The argument's a little too strong, but we can respect it without agreeing literally. Especially when the album acquires its palette by robbing both places and times. The instruments sit in arrangements that fill the volume approachably. The emotional paths are the tricky ones.

One of my favorites!

4/5

Echo and The Bunnymen is a band that I criminally haven't paid enough attention to yet. Until today I only knew The Killing Moon and Porcupine has a wonderful sound! Today I'm going to leave 4 stars, because I need to digest the album better. But I hope to hear more of their albums in the future!

I was fully expecting not to like this one, but it was surprisingly good. Really great and melodic, and a good amount of diversity. All things that the other albums lacked that I have heard by these guys.

Echo And The Bunnymen continue to be one of the bands that my appreciation for has increased with this exercise. This is a great album with a lot of catchy songs. Really enjoyed it.

pop punk, seems like something I'd love

I'm generally a fan of the band, and this is an interesting record, worth a listen, brilliant in spots. I'd probably give it a 3.8 if I could...

I was not as familiar with this album as I was with Ocean Rain. Classic cutting edge 80’s new wave sound. I enjoyed this and saved several tracks. Some great drumming and hooks throughout, although I’ll stop short of calling it a solid play through. 3.75/5

This was pretty good This was pretty good pretty good pretty good good good good

Really liked this one. Sounds just like 1983

Also liked it. I only really knew Ocean Rain album, and this is as good. Good album cover too

I wasn't super-fussed about this on the first listen, but I found myself humming, whistling or otherwise sounding out a good few of these tracks for many days after listening. Went back to it and appreciated it a lot more on a second and third listen.

An excellent album, but not my favourite Echo and the Bunnymen record (which would be Ocean Rain). But it still has some great songs - notably the opening slavo of The Cutter and Back Of Love.

What a surprise. I love this album, probably because of the memories attached mostly. But hearing it again now I believe that it's a solid proper album that deserves to be recognized.

With both Crocodiles and Ocean Rain in the 1001, E&TB are already well represented - no need for this one too.

First song is great kick to start this album. And the rest of ‘em are pretty good also. One of the greatest band names out there.

Thought I was going to hate but rlly liked this!!! Favs: the cutter, back of love, my white devil, heads will roll, gods will be gods

Much better than Crocodiles.

Listened Before? N I love these guys! I have spent a lot of time listening to a few of their other albums but this one has slipped past me until now. Great 80s stuff. Great sound and good production. Awesome! Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Cutter

Really liked this

Very cool and atmospheric record. It’s not their best bit among their three best.

The songs on this album range from decent to great according to my taste. I think the album is good, but maybe not distinct enough from its context. Favorite track: "Gods Will Be Gods," probably.

Classic ‘80s jams, great background music. Sets a good atmosphere, kind of eerie and angsty.

Third Echo And The Bunnymen album on the list. Third 4/5 review. Really nothing new here, but the sound that these four guys found just perfectly encapsulates the experience that is living in dreadful, dreary Britain (or so I'm told).

No Echo And the Bunnymen records are uplifting per se - but there’s something about Porcupine that still feels more joyous than a lot of their other efforts. It’s a band that rarely misses. This is their third album on this list for me - and they still manage to hit the mark.

Definitely worthy of a repeat listen, but not amazing enough for 5 stars.

Pretty good new wave/ almost post rockish at times record. I initially went "these guys are ripping off U2, and the killing moon is the only great record" but this came out as one of U2's earliest records so I suppose it's the otherway around. Lots of grand instrumentation. Even feels a little shoe gazey. Fav tracks: the cutter, porcupine, heads will roll, my white devil, gods will be gods, fuel.

I just really like this band. One of my favorite discoveries from this exercise.

Lanzado en 1983, Porcupine es el tercer disco y el de mayor éxito de Echo & The Bunnymen. Su tema de apertura, "The Cutter", que alcanzó el Top Ten de la época, resume el estilo de la banda: fusión de post-punk con psicodelia inspirada en los clásicos Doors. Le sigue la tan grandiosa como "espinosa", "The Back of Love", una reflexión sobre las contradicciones del amor y su cara más oscura (la manipulación y el egoísmo en las relaciones), así como la necesidad encontrar un significado más profundo a los sentimientos. Me gusta el estilo ochentero, adornado con los aires orientales que aportan las cuerdas de Shankar, de la existencialista "Heads Will Roll" y su estribillo repitiendo "What if no one's calling / God then must be falling" ("Y si nadie llama / Dios entonces debe estar cayendo").

The Cutter is an incredible track, the rest of the album doesn't overly grab me but I can say I'm a fan.

My third and final Echo & the Bunnymen album from the list, and I've definitely acquired a taste for them. Goth adjacent post-punk is very much where it's at! Fave track - "The Cutter" - possibly my fave track of theirs from any album!

Great but not their finest

This might be a good album maybe. Definitely the first album labelled post punk I enjoyed. The back half of the album is where it's at. Once it hits Porcupine for me I am sucked in. I still am not totally in love with this kind of sound but I think this album could make it grow on me. The music backing is the part that pulls me in. Feels very like a soundscape. I think that makes a nice contrast with the more sparse vocals. I feel like it's a high 3 on the how much I enjoy it scale, and a 4 on the how good I feel like this sound can be. I am in the end, inclined to give it a 4.

yyyyeeeeeeesssssssss. YYYYYYEEEEESSSSSSS.

The Back of Love is a great song, and the use of echo is really effective. Made me move in my chair. I never listened to this band before, but I am impressed. Great chord changes, interesting melodies, the mix is a little drum heavy, but in a good way. I like the singer, he's emotive but not over the top. Great examples of tension and release, and fun seques between the song sections. Modern music could learn something from these guys. I always thought there was a lot of romance in the music of the 1980s, and this album is a great example of that. 4 stars

I'm actually a little impressed that only a couple of reviewers refered to this as "brit-pop"

This is a fitting lead up to the more refined Ocean Rain, if you prefer a rawer sound you may find is superior. I still like the focus of the next album a little better but this is damn nearly as good. First time listening to it and love it.

Liked this a lot, just solid post punk with that 80s sound. Will be listening again.

4.0

Pretty good.

I really am enjoying this one. It’s kind of sparse but solid. 3.6

Contains their haunting single "The Cutter". Interesting album.

Good album, will need more listens, but it's a solid Echo album. 4/5!

I had no clue they were *this* old of a band - I'd only ever heard their stuff from 2000 onward. Album wise, a familiar sound with some periods of brooding somberness. Enjoyed it.

Thought this was a great listen.

"Porcupine" by Echo & The Bunnymen, released in 1983, stands as a pivotal album in the post-punk era. This third studio album by the Liverpool band saw the group exploring deeper and darker themes, both lyrically and musically, which ultimately contributed to its critical acclaim and enduring influence. ### Lyrics Ian McCulloch's lyrics on "Porcupine" are laden with existential angst, introspection, and cryptic imagery. The opening track "The Cutter" sets the tone with its enigmatic verses that touch on themes of self-doubt and searching for meaning: "Spare us the cutter, spare us the cutter. Couldn't cut the mustard." This sense of searching and discontent continues throughout the album. In "Heads Will Roll," McCulloch delves into themes of revolution and upheaval, painting a vivid picture of turmoil and change. His lyrics often merge personal introspection with broader societal critiques, which can be seen in tracks like "The Back of Love," where he juxtaposes the intensity of romantic relationships with a sense of impending doom: "In the back of love, we’re in the back of love." The title track "Porcupine" is perhaps the most introspective, with McCulloch using the porcupine as a metaphor for his own guarded and prickly nature. The lyrics "There is no comparison, too near or too far" reflect a sense of isolation and self-protection. ### Music Musically, "Porcupine" is characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes, intricate guitar work, and driving rhythms. Will Sergeant's guitar work is particularly noteworthy, providing a range of textures that are both haunting and mesmerizing. From the jangly riffs of "The Cutter" to the more psychedelic undertones in "Porcupine," Sergeant's contributions are central to the album's sound. The rhythm section, comprised of bassist Les Pattinson and drummer Pete de Freitas, lays down a solid foundation that complements the atmospheric guitars. Tracks like "The Back of Love" and "Higher Hell" showcase their ability to drive the songs forward with a sense of urgency and intensity. One of the standout tracks, "The Cutter," features a dynamic interplay between the driving rhythm and the sweeping, almost orchestral guitar lines. The use of strings in this track adds an additional layer of drama and depth, which is a recurring motif throughout the album. ### Production Produced by Hugh Jones and the band themselves, "Porcupine" benefits from a lush yet raw production style. Jones, who had previously worked with the band on their second album "Heaven Up Here," brings a sense of continuity while also pushing the band's sound into more expansive territory. The production on "Porcupine" captures the band's live energy and translates it into the studio setting. There is a certain rawness and immediacy to the recordings that adds to the album's emotional impact. The mix allows each instrument to shine, with the guitars often taking the lead role, enveloping McCulloch's vocals in a rich, sonic tapestry. The use of reverb and delay effects enhances the album's atmospheric quality, creating a sense of space and depth. This is particularly evident on tracks like "Gods Will Be Gods" and "Porcupine," where the production techniques contribute to the overall mood of introspection and melancholy. ### Themes "Porcupine" delves into themes of existentialism, introspection, and human frailty. The lyrics often reflect a sense of searching and yearning, whether it be for personal identity, love, or a deeper understanding of the world. McCulloch's introspective lyrics are complemented by the music, which often evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation. The recurring theme of nature, as suggested by the album's title and songs like "Porcupine" and "Higher Hell," serves as a metaphor for the human condition. The porcupine itself symbolizes self-protection and isolation, themes that resonate throughout the album. Another significant theme is conflict, both internal and external. Songs like "Heads Will Roll" and "In Bluer Skies" touch on themes of revolution and change, reflecting the turbulent political climate of the early 1980s. These themes of conflict are mirrored in the music, which often juxtaposes moments of quiet introspection with bursts of intense energy. ### Influence "Porcupine" has had a lasting influence on the post-punk and alternative rock genres. Its atmospheric soundscapes, intricate guitar work, and introspective lyrics have inspired countless bands in the years since its release. The album's blend of raw energy and lush production set a standard for future artists looking to explore similar musical and thematic territory. The album's influence can be seen in the work of bands like The Cure, who also combined dark, introspective lyrics with atmospheric music, and U2, who incorporated some of the same expansive production techniques on their early albums. More recent bands, such as Interpol and Editors, have also cited Echo & The Bunnymen as an influence, particularly in their use of brooding atmospheres and intricate guitar work. ### Pros 1. **Lyrical Depth**: Ian McCulloch's lyrics are rich with imagery and introspection, providing listeners with a profound and thought-provoking experience. 2. **Musical Complexity**: The band's musicianship shines through with intricate guitar work, dynamic rhythms, and atmospheric soundscapes. 3. **Production Quality**: The lush yet raw production captures the band's live energy while enhancing the emotional depth of the songs. 4. **Thematic Cohesion**: The album's exploration of existential themes and human frailty is both compelling and relatable. 5. **Influence**: "Porcupine" has had a significant impact on the post-punk and alternative rock genres, inspiring a wide range of artists. ### Cons 1. **Accessibility**: The album's introspective lyrics and complex musical arrangements may not be immediately accessible to all listeners, potentially alienating some. 2. **Pacing**: Some tracks, particularly in the second half of the album, can feel slower and less dynamic, which might affect the overall flow for some listeners. 3. **Production Choices**: While the production quality is generally a strength, the heavy use of reverb and delay effects can sometimes overshadow the clarity of the vocals and instruments. 4. **Commercial Appeal**: Compared to their more commercially successful albums, "Porcupine" may come across as less radio-friendly, which could limit its appeal to a broader audience. ### Conclusion "Porcupine" by Echo & The Bunnymen is a landmark album in the post-punk era, offering a rich tapestry of introspective lyrics, intricate musical arrangements, and lush production. Its exploration of themes like existential angst, self-protection, and human frailty resonates deeply, providing listeners with a profound and thought-provoking experience. While its complexity and introspective nature might not appeal to everyone, the album's influence on the post-punk and alternative rock genres is undeniable. For those willing to delve into its depths, "Porcupine" offers a rewarding and immersive musical journey.