From: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org (seven-seas-digest) To: seven-seas-digest@smoe.org Subject: seven-seas-digest V5 #35 Reply-To: seven-seas@smoe.org Sender: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Precedence: bulk seven-seas-digest Tuesday, February 14 2006 Volume 05 : Number 035 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 11:44:52 +1300 From: "Kristin Smith" Subject: seven-seas neilchase.com http://www.neilchase.com/vault/Bunnymen/Siberia.htm# Echo & The Bunnymen Siberia When you are the greatest band in the world, how do you still keep it fresh after a quarter century? Thatbs the conundrum that faced the perennially effervescent Ian McCulloch, who is working again with his long time chum and fellow Bunnyman Will Sergeant. And even if the rest of the world hasnbt quite recognised your stature as sliced breadbs most worthy successor, then their own self-belief assures a wave of musical brilliance. Yet that inbuilt conviction never spills into over-confidence, and it has always been backed up with quality tunes. Delivered once again here. The roots of the band go back to 1978 when the three piece comprising of McCulloch, Les Pattinson and Will Sergeant - plus a drum machine called Echo - played their first gig at Eric's in Liverpool. The following year Pete De Freitas joined the band as resident drummer, though the band's name (including Echo) remained. Their first album was 'Crocodiles', and came out in 1980 to universal acclaim. Subsequent albums 'Heaven Up Here' (1981), 'Porcupine' (1983), and 'Ocean Rain' (1984) were received with equal praise and yielded such mighty tracks as "The Cutter" and "The Killing Moon'. There was a self titled album in 1987 but towards the end of that decade, things were not right in the Bunnymen camp, and the band split up. Pete De Freitas tragically died in a motorbike accident about the same time and although Sergeant and Pattinson released a Bunnymen album without McCulloch, the band was effectively dead. Fast forward to 1997 and they got back together, releasing the awesome 'Evergreen' album ("Don't Let It Get You Down", "Nothing Lasts Forever") and then the gorgeous 'What Are You Going To Do With Your Life' ("Rust", "Get In The Car") two years later, though for this album Pattinson had left the band again. 'Flowers' was Mac & Will again in 2001, and then Mac released his solo 'Slideling' in April 2003. There is immediate class here right from the first track. But the seeming ease that they can fire off great tunes has always been one of their strengths. The McCulloch sing / drawl remains one of the most distinctive in music. The extra resonance that it carries since his early outings just makes it better with time, and his words have not lost any of the magic either. There's an extra depth to the guitar work here with Will adding that extra factor too. The storming guitar intro on bOf A Lifeb being a prime example which develops into another top-drawer Bunny-tune. The title track has an indulgent riff or two, but the skittery beat and East European playfulness keep it vintage. The immediate guitar work on bParthenon Driveb is bang out of the vintage Bunny-bag. If bBring On The Dancing Horsesb rang true 20 years ago, then youbll welcome this new stable-mate. Uncanny echoes, without copy-book cheating. bSideways Eightb is rockingly bright, but never loses sight of a good tune. Another permanent Bunny-trait. "Everything Kills Youb is a real gem, then bScissors In The Sandb is slightly harder, though still tight. The final bWhat If We Areb is another one of those perfect tracks that has you both weeping and gagging for more. Think bNothing Lasts Foreverb quality from their still sumptuous 1997 come-back album bEvergreenb. Itbs that good. By McCullochbs own admission, this is the sound closest to their early work. Partly from their return to organic roots, but also as production is handled by Hugh Jones b who has not worked with them since bHeaven Up Hereb in 1981. Therebs no doubt that Mac & Will would still have been putting out tip-top albums to an under-appreciating world without the ringing endorsement of Coldplay, but that extra recognition and mutual appreciation from Chris & Co has made it just a shade easier. They have never sold out (they simply wouldnbt know how to) and remain one of the coolest bands in history. The attractions of bSiberiab may drift over your head on the first play, but a magnetic intrigue will draw you back, and then youbre hooked. A deceptively good album with 11 tight tracks (which appeals to Macbs football passion), and sums up why they have had such cult and critical appeal over the whole of their career. And Mac bnb Will show no sign of changing that. B) Neil Chase September 2005 ===================================================================== Bunnymen Online Presence: http://www.bunnymenlist.com * http://www.bunnymen.info * http://www.bunnymen.com * http://www.fotolog.net/sgtfuzz/ * http://www.villiersterrace.com * http://www.angelfire.com/wy2/discog/ * http://www.softskull.com/detailedbook.php?isbn=1-887128-89-6 * ====================================================================== ------------------------------ End of seven-seas-digest V5 #35 *******************************