From: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org (seven-seas-moderated-digest) To: seven-seas-moderated-digest@smoe.org Subject: seven-seas-moderated-digest V2 #150 Reply-To: seven-seas@smoe.org Sender: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Precedence: bulk seven-seas-moderated-digest Friday, May 16 2003 Volume 02 : Number 150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 07:20:49 -0600 From: "K. F. Smith" Subject: seven-seas-moderated Washington Times review http://www.washtimes.com/weekend/20030515-3380425.htm Ian McCulloch's timing is impeccable. The former Echo & The Bunnymen lead singer releases a new record and embarks on a U.S. tour in the midst of a resurgence of interest in early '80s alternative bands. He visits the 9:30 Club Monday. With "Slideling," Mr. McCulloch positions himself to gain from the vast attention paid to a new wave of young bands who reverently emulate the aching pop triumphs of Echo & The Bunnymen, the Smiths and other favorites from the United Kingdom. His band's stature also receives a boost from its prominent placement on the soundtrack of "Donnie Darko," an unnerving cult film set in the Reagan era. "Slideling," Mr. McCulloch's third solo record, begins with an ebullient, irony-free paean to love's ability to captivate the soul. As the chorus to "Love In Veins" reaches its soaring chorus, it's obvious that Mr. McCulloch won't pander or follow an old formula. He's fully comfortable sharing his ideas about love, mostly positive ("Arthur"), sometimes fractious ("Seasons"). "Playgrounds and City Parks" presents a melancholy reflection of Mr. McCulloch's childhood. He's the same confident vocalist, infusing a sense of cool into each line by massaging the rough edges off the consonants and pulling out the vowels like taffy. Even though he's working without guitarist Will Sergeant, the sunshine-piercing-through-gray-clouds shadings familiar to Echo & The Bunnymen fans color many of the tracks. Three lines from "Kansas" succinctly summarize Mr. McCulloch's assuredness: "I'm growing up," he sings, "Growing into me/Knowing now where I'm coming from." ====================================== The Official Seven-Seas Web Page. www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ End of seven-seas-moderated-digest V2 #150 ******************************************