12\" Of Pleasure - General Echo

Advantages: Strong songs
Disadvantages: None

...After the release of their debut set, Crocodiles, in 1980, Echo and the Bunnymen’s second album, 1981’s Heaven Up Here, firmly established them as a major force, being voted album of the year by readers of the NME. Their manager Bill Drummond summed up the mood and mythical qualities of their songs at this time when he wrote in the Face magazine: “They represent cold, dampness, darkness. Echo is, in my crazy daydream, a ghostly God - and the Bunnymen are his followers.” It was a major piece of work, a definite step on from Crocodiles and established them as a force to be reckoned with. Among other tracks, the album included such strong songs as The Disease, Heaven Up Here, Turquoise Dogs, Show Of Strength, It Was A Pleasure and No Dark Things. Echo and the Bunnymen were being variously compared with the Velvets and the Doors... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some excellent catchy songs
Disadvantages: Seems as though they are holding back slightly

...It's a very good album, especially for a debut. They reference bands such as Gang Of Four, and they look like becoming the Pulp of this decade. The album is full of lively, witty lyrics, and numerous catchy guitar hooks. It maybe ended up a bit too tight, musically, but they corrected this, and let the reins off in the follow-up. Take Me Out, and Darts Of Pleasure, are just two of the huge hits that the band had from this album, and they became one of Britain's biggest bands within 12 months of the release. They hugely impressed me live also. In general, if you like indie rock, and like bands with an edge, then this is the album for you.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Mostly very good!
Disadvantages: One or two iffy numbers

...- 'If it aint broke don't fix it'!. We all know that Noel Gallagher is a fantastic songwriter, and in my humble opinion he saves the bands better songs for himself, i.e - Little by Little and Don't Look Back in Anger for example. The remaining tracks on DBTT are still worthy of a good sing along and will no doubt go on to sell a good couple of million copies. We still dont get to hear a return to the 'Live Forever', 'Wonderwall', 'Don't Look Back in Anger Days' we were all hoping for, but a reasonable 7 1/2 out of 10, is a bad overall score. Any of you lucky, lucky people who have tickets to see Oasis this summer, will have the pleasure of witnessing Zak Starky on drums. This is closest thing the band will get, to playing with a 'Beatle'. Zak is the son of former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, and has spent the last few months recording... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful