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Inspired by psychedelia, sure. Bit of Jim Morrison in the vocals? OK, it's there. But for all the references and connections that can be drawn (and they can), one listen to Echo's brilliant, often harrowing debut album and it's clear when a unique, special band presents itself. Beginning with the dramatic, building climb of "Going Up," Crocodiles at once showcases four individual players sure of their own gifts and their ability to bring it all together to make things more than the sum of their parts. Will Sergeant in particular is a revelation -- arguably only Johnny Marr and Vini Reilly were better English guitarists from the '80s, eschewing typical guitar-wank overload showboating in favor of delicacy, shades, and inventive, unexpected melodies. More than many before or since, he plays the electric guitar as just that, electric not acoustic, dedicated to finding out what can be done with it while never using it as an excuse to bend frets. His highlights are legion, whether it's the hooky opening chime of "Rescue" or the exchanges of sound and silence in "Happy Death Men." Meanwhile, the Pattinson/De Freitas rhythm section stakes its own claim for greatness, the former's bass driving yet almost seductive, the latter's percussion constantly shifting rhythms and styles while never leaving the central beat of the song to die. "Pride" is one standout moment of many, Pattinson's high notes and De Freitas' interjections on what sound like chimes or blocks are inspired touches. Then there's McCulloch himself, and while the imagery can be cryptic, the delivery soars, even while his semi-wail conjures up, as on the nervy, edgy picture of addiction "Villiers Terrace," "People rolling round on the carpet/Mixing up the medicine." Brisk, wasting not a note, and burning with barely controlled energy, Crocodiles remains a deserved classic.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
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Hugh Jones, Engineer - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Korova Records Limited
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Echo & The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Rod Houison, Engineer - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer - Ian "Kingbird" Broudie, Producer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Korova Records Limited
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Echo & The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Korova Records Limited
Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Rod Houison, Engineer - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer - Ian "Kingbird" Broudie, Producer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd.
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Echo & The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Julian Cope, Writer - Hugh Jones, Engineer - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar - Will Sergeant, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - Echo And The Bunnymen, MainArtist - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Bill Inglot, ReissueProducer - Hugh Jones, Engineer - Echo & The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - The Chameleons (David Balfe & Bill Drummond), Producer - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer - Andy Zax, ReissueProducer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Hugh Jones, Engineer - Echo & The Bunnymen, MainArtist - Ian Mcculloch, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - Les Pattinson, Bass Guitar, Writer - Will Sergeant, Writer, Lead Guitar - David Balfe, Keyboards - The Chameleons, Producer - Pete de Freitas, Drums, Writer
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
Album review
Inspired by psychedelia, sure. Bit of Jim Morrison in the vocals? OK, it's there. But for all the references and connections that can be drawn (and they can), one listen to Echo's brilliant, often harrowing debut album and it's clear when a unique, special band presents itself. Beginning with the dramatic, building climb of "Going Up," Crocodiles at once showcases four individual players sure of their own gifts and their ability to bring it all together to make things more than the sum of their parts. Will Sergeant in particular is a revelation -- arguably only Johnny Marr and Vini Reilly were better English guitarists from the '80s, eschewing typical guitar-wank overload showboating in favor of delicacy, shades, and inventive, unexpected melodies. More than many before or since, he plays the electric guitar as just that, electric not acoustic, dedicated to finding out what can be done with it while never using it as an excuse to bend frets. His highlights are legion, whether it's the hooky opening chime of "Rescue" or the exchanges of sound and silence in "Happy Death Men." Meanwhile, the Pattinson/De Freitas rhythm section stakes its own claim for greatness, the former's bass driving yet almost seductive, the latter's percussion constantly shifting rhythms and styles while never leaving the central beat of the song to die. "Pride" is one standout moment of many, Pattinson's high notes and De Freitas' interjections on what sound like chimes or blocks are inspired touches. Then there's McCulloch himself, and while the imagery can be cryptic, the delivery soars, even while his semi-wail conjures up, as on the nervy, edgy picture of addiction "Villiers Terrace," "People rolling round on the carpet/Mixing up the medicine." Brisk, wasting not a note, and burning with barely controlled energy, Crocodiles remains a deserved classic.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:38:01
- Main artists: Echo And The Bunnymen
- Label: Sire - Warner Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd ℗ 1980 Warner Music UK Ltd
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