ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN

The Fountain

2009-11-24

With The Fountain, Ian McCulloch and his fellow Liverpool Bunnymen are back for their 11th full-length release. While there's nothing profound here, simple and succinct melodic hooks abound. The opener and the first single off of the album, "Think I Need It Too," is initially a song that seemingly warrants several spins but sadly grows a bit tiresome over time. The short and upbeat "Do You Know Who I Am" works better as McCulloch belts "Do you know who I am? Do you know what I've got? Do you know who I am? Cause I know what you're not." Another track worth mentioning is the arresting "Life Of A Thousand Crimes," which manages to create a hook that is nothing less than infectious. Still, the best song here might just be "Everlasting Neverendless," capturing the best of McCulloch with a tempo that makes you want to return again and again. In the end, without prior knowledge of the Bunnymen's legacy, there's little to dislike here. However, with a history in mind, it's a little tougher to get on the bandwagon. Still, while this ten-song set of music ends with the longest and least compelling piece of music titled "The Idolness of Gods," long before reaching this point, the Bunnymen have already sold you on their ability to make good music despite being several years removed from their 80's heyday. In the end, what we have here is some pretty "good stuff." ~ Reviewed by Jeff Bouma

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 04/2016

    Slobberbone
    Bees And Seas: The Best of Slobberbone

  • reviewed 09/2014

    ADRIAN YOUNGE PRESENTS: SOULS OF MISCHIEF
    There Is Only Now

  • reviewed 03/2010

    BLACK 47
    Bankers and Gangsters

  • reviewed 05/2008

    The Helio Sequence
    Keep Your Eyes Ahead

  • reviewed 10/2006

    MELISSA FERRICK
    In The Eyes Of Strangers

  • reviewed 12/2011

    THE DIGGITY
    Another Wondrous Conversation

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.