Overdue: Echo & The Bunnymen

Overdue is a series in which we check out artists whose work we should already be familiar with, but aren’t (yet).  We’ll right some wrongs and check out great new-to-us music along the way.

Ok, I have heard Echo & The Bunnymen before.  Just on internet radio and such.  I’ve heard enough to know that I like their sound, but I don’t really know their songs too well.

That’s going to change tonight.  I was inspired by the following video for The Cutter:



This seems like a fairly recent performance, and it really rocks!  The guitar is just amazing; they’re all really playing well and bringing the rock and roll spirit.  This is quite fun to listen to, and Ian McCulloch’s voice is very addictive.  This song has quite a lot of energy.  If this is what Echo & The Bunnymen are like, I think I like them a lot!

So what other songs do Echo & The Bunnymen have in store for us?  Next up is “Lips Like Sugar.”  That’s probably their biggest hit, as far as I know.  It’s one song of theirs I’ve definitely heard.  It’s certainly a catchy little song.  I really like the soaring chorus, and of course the simile of lips to sugar is so 80s.   This song really shows off what Ian McCulloch’s voice can do.  He can go deep, or he can belt it out.  Overall, this is an above-average song.  It’s pretty typical for an 80s hit.



Now I’ll take a listen to “Silver.”  The sound on this one is a little rough, but still has charm.  I really like the use of cello at the beginning.  And the drumming is really awesome!  I like its pounding echo.  McCulloch’s voice here is a bit weaker, but you can still hear his talent. I actually kind of like this!  The strings, the acoustic guitar, the awesome drumming – all very nice.  This has a nice groove to it, even if it’s not the best-produced song out there.



Now on to what is apparently one of their bigger hits, “Bring On The Dancing Horses.”  I’m really digging the bass here.  Other than the bass, this seems to be a very pretty song.  The backing vocals on the chorus are a really nice touch.  So far, it seems like E&TB are excellent at finding a good groove and riding it to pop success.  Their songs seem to be custom made to get in your head and stay there.  They sound like many other 80s rock bands, but unfortunately aren’t as well known, at least to me.  That’s pretty sad, because they have a lot to offer.



Next, I’ll go for a deep album cut.  I’ll see what I can find on Grooveshark.

I’m going with “Nocturnal Me” from the album Ocean Rain. 

Well, isn’t this interesting!  It’s not your typical rock song, that’s for sure.  It’s almost a waltz.  Maybe it is a waltz.  All I know is you don’t usually find a big bombastic arrangement like this from your typical new wave band. 

Ok, now another random song.  I’ll go with “Zimbo.”  Sounds intriguing.



Very haunting!  The loud drums are kind of distracting.  This veers a little more gothic than their other songs, as far as I’ve heard.  That’s ok, there’s always room for gothic music.

So, what do I think about Echo & The Bunnymen from what I’ve heard today?  The first few songs made them seem like a hard rockin’ 80s pop band, but digging deeper revealed a lot more than that.  They’re not afraid to use unusual arrangements or instruments.  What holds it all together is Ian McCulloch’s authoritative, echo-drenched voice.  My first instincts about the band were correct.  I’ll have to listen more and see what else I can find to enjoy in their music.