Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
May 4th, 1984.
Korova Records
Echo & the Bunnymen's highly heralded Ocean Rain turns 40. The Merseyside collective spun a chilling wind with their fourth studio album. The ice-age has never been captured through sonics so well.
The blizzard of strings and the bands point sharp precision - performance-wise - renders it a cutting piece of work - it slices the listener to bits. A razor-like edge elegantly threatens at all times; a razor held to the throat of those that tune in. Crystalline worlds of reflective opulence cast psychedelically tinted daydreams of sub-zero stature. The ice-age has come, and The Bunnymen are here to welcome the end of the world as we know it. The Killing Moon has found it's feet; and taken the warmth out of everything that you love. The path is strewn with jagged rocks and the forecast preserves a frozen state from here on out.
The pinnacle of orchestral rock - a 35-piece orchestra was brought on board to capture the somewhat malevolent soul of Ocean Rain. No other band harnessed a string section quite like the Bunnymen. The coffee-stained breathe of Ian McCullogh wisps and wails. Backed by the windswept sounds of strings, and Will Sergeant's serrated style, the Bunnymen honed in on a dynamic that would come to represent the band for the remainder of their existence. The pitter-patter of Pete de Freitas and his painters brush-like playing adds a swaying feel, a soothing backbeat. Rhythmically partnered with Les Pattinson, the backbone of the Bunnymen lies akin to a light breeze.
One for the British canon.
'Under blue moon, I saw you.'
