Echo & The Bunnymen – The Fountain : Album Reviews

Echo & The Bunnymen are far from a distant memory. Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, founding members of the aforementioned 80’s powerhouse, are proving themselves to be the exception to the firmly held belief that a bands relevance is inversely proportional to their age.

With such an impressive, not to mention substantial body of work (this being their eleventh album), who amongst us would not relegate any brooding criticism of the popular 80’s post-punk band for resting on their laurels? It’s certainly an admirable feat of creativity to have made it that far in such a fickle industry. Yet, as you would have guessed by now, the pair behind one of the most iconic bands of the 80’s were not satisfied with living in past glory and decided to have a go at it again. The end product? Ten carefully sculptured pop-tracks that make up The Fountain.

Although it’s difficult to chart music that has appeared nearly twenty-five years apart on the same scale, critics tend to be in agreement that this is close to their best work since the days of Ocean Rain, which is considered by many to be their most enduring work – their Sgt Pepper if you allow me to draw a Beatles comparison.

However, for a brief moment, you may find it difficult to escape the feeling that perhaps it’s just the overwhelming desire for Echo & The Bunnymen sound of old that drives such lofty critiques. Whatever your motivation may be for listening, however, The Fountain provides a compelling listen. For those who don’t consider themselves a fan, there is much on offer musically, and Ian McCulloch has proven that good songwriting doesn’t discriminate against the aged.

What becomes abundantly clear from the opening chorus of Think I Need It Too is that McCulloch’s voice is as good it’s ever been, and quite possibly even better. Perhaps he’s taken a leaf out of the Mick Jagger book on self preservation. Whatever the explanation for his apparent reinvigoration, it gives their sound an extremely fresh and personal sound. Yet while sounding fresh, his voice still bears the soul and wisdom of a man his age. In short, it is abundantly clear that he’s comfortable with who is.

Echo & The Bunnymen - Still going strong after almost 30 years

The Idolness Of Gods is a very personal song, questioning listeners, ‘Do you know who I am?’. Matching this subtle, self-reflective verse is a charming, and ever-so-British quaintness that proves to be more-than-appropriate as the album closer.

Forgotten Fields is one of the stronger tracks on The Fountain. Its intense pop-orientation  are paved with all manner of dreamy guitar sequences and enough epic trendiness to make Chris Martin blush, while Shroud Of Turin is a tongue in cheek exploration of McCulloch’s religious tendencies.

Announcing that they will be taking part in next years St. Jeromes Laneway Festival is indicative of the rejuvenation that has undertaken this band. And if their host of sold-out shows in London, Liverpool and New York last year is anything to go by, Echo & The Bunnymen are far from yesterdays news. Now with eleven albums within their grasp, with one of their best works in The Fountain, there is a lot to like about these guys. They have a firm grasp on the past with enough promise for the future to keep them on the radar. Overall, The Fountain is a well constructed and progressive work from Echo & The Bunnymen that will surely over time endear them to a new era of listeners.

The Fountain is out December 5th. Don’t forget to catch Echo & The Bunnymen on their up-comming shows at the St Jeromes Laneway Festival:

Australian Tour Dates

Brisbane – Friday 29th January

Melbourne – Saturday 30th January

Sydney – Sunday 31st January

Auckland – Monday 1st February

Adelaide – Friday 5th February

Perth – Saturday 6th February