Evergreen revisited

[Mr. Brian]

Evergreen came out 18 years ago. I thought it was a strong comeback with 3 original Bunnymen on board. The tours were successful, the album got great reviews, so much that Ian almost went solo again. I still play it from time to time in its entirety. I remember thinking that this album picked up where they left off was the one they needed to make at the time and it's a great batch of more mature songs.
There doesn't seem to be much love for Evergreen in peoples "top" lists in one of the other threads. That seems strange.
Haters, explain yourselves...

[meh]

i think it is one of their best albums, maybe second to ocean rain

[Mr.Sparkle]

I don't think they really picked up where they left off. I've said it before but the album really sounds like the flavor of the month at the time with the band trying to sound like Oasis, Verve, etc. Gallagher even shows up on backing vocals. Too many mid-tempo songs, the drumming sounds like classic rock to me, nothing really creative on it. There really isn't any bad songs on the album though, it's pretty consistent outside of maybe Baseball Bill. But most of the songs don't touch the earlier stuff and the album in the end shows how important Pete was to the band I think.

[Mr. Brian]

I don't think they really picked up where they left off. I've said it before but the album really sounds like the flavor of the month at the time with the band trying to sound like Oasis, Verve, etc. Gallagher even shows up on backing vocals. Too many mid-tempo songs, the drumming sounds like classic rock to me, nothing really creative on it. There really isn't any bad songs on the album though, it's pretty consistent outside of maybe Baseball Bill. But most of the songs don't touch the earlier stuff and the album in the end shows how important Pete was to the band I think.

I guess I didn't mean "pick up where they left off" as in a successor to the Grey Album but it sounded like the album they needed to make at that time. Many of the songs on Evergreen were born out of Electrafixion which ironically was an attempt to sound like that era's noisier grunge sound with heavier guitars. I recall not liking Efix because of that, we already had Nirvana, Mudhoney, etc so why settle for imitators from the UK, so fair enough on them trying to be Brit pop. I still think it's a well put together album with a good sound even after 18 years.

[Wabbit]

and we get Empire State Halo ..... wow

[Joe-eatb]

I think its the 5th best record they ever made, every time I listen to it I think what a great record.

[Kounelaki]

and we get Empire State Halo ..... wow

Hands down their best post-reformation track.

Prefer them trying to sound like Mudhoney/Nirvana than trying to sound like Oasis, though.

[5times]

Never liked it much. Like Mr S mentioned, it sounds like they are trying to fit in with the sound of that time. I recently bought it again for the Peel sessions. I put it on in the car and I skipped through it in about ten minutes. The Peel sessions are, of course, bloody fantastic.

[falconer]

and we get Empire State Halo ..... wow

Hands down their best post-reformation track.

Prefer them trying to sound like Mudhoney/Nirvana than trying to sound like Oasis, though.

One of their best. I also really enjoy the title track. Excellent Les bassline.

[bunnygod1]

i loved it at the time, it was something i thought i might never see again, a new Bunnymen album! and like everything they have done since reforming, it somes highs and lows.
its not a case of "not much love" its up against some very strong albums in peoples top 10's i cant help thinking if it came out tomorrow there would be a lot of "its another Mac solo project"

[Mr.Sparkle]

I don't think they really picked up where they left off. I've said it before but the album really sounds like the flavor of the month at the time with the band trying to sound like Oasis, Verve, etc. Gallagher even shows up on backing vocals. Too many mid-tempo songs, the drumming sounds like classic rock to me, nothing really creative on it. There really isn't any bad songs on the album though, it's pretty consistent outside of maybe Baseball Bill. But most of the songs don't touch the earlier stuff and the album in the end shows how important Pete was to the band I think.

I guess I didn't mean "pick up where they left off" as in a successor to the Grey Album but it sounded like the album they needed to make at that time. Many of the songs on Evergreen were born out of Electrafixion which ironically was an attempt to sound like that era's noisier grunge sound with heavier guitars. I recall not liking Efix because of that, we already had Nirvana, Mudhoney, etc so why settle for imitators from the UK, so fair enough on them trying to be Brit pop. I still think it's a well put together album with a good sound even after 18 years.

I do think it's a pretty good album, I think it's probably their most consistent song for song album since getting back together but outside of Empire State Halo I'm not sure there are any great new Bunnymen songs on it.

[Mr. Brian]

Nothing Lasts Forever is a great song, it was the last time they hit the top 10 singles charts. It's become the Do It Clean of the reformed years at live shows. Evergreen was their last top 10 album. They were on fire when that came out. Too bad Ian threw a bucket of water on that fire. Again.

[meh]

i loved it at the time, it was something i thought i might never see again, a new Bunnymen album! and like everything they have done since reforming, it somes highs and lows.
its not a case of "not much love" its up against some very strong albums in peoples top 10's i cant help thinking if it came out tomorrow there would be a lot of "its another Mac solo project"

if ocean rain 'came out tomorrow there would be a lot of "its another Mac solo project"', what no- all that jazz? no over the wall? etc

[Dr Cheese]

They were on fire when that came out. Too bad Ian threw a bucket of water on that fire. Again.

I've still got an old edition of Mojo from that period with an interview with Mac where he says something along the lines of everything has to be equal between the three of them for it to work. We all know what happened after that!

If I get time I'll scan the article and post it up somewhere.

[Mr. Brian]

i loved it at the time, it was something i thought i might never see again, a new Bunnymen album! and like everything they have done since reforming, it somes highs and lows.
its not a case of "not much love" its up against some very strong albums in peoples top 10's i cant help thinking if it came out tomorrow there would be a lot of "its another Mac solo project"

if ocean rain 'came out tomorrow there would be a lot of "its another Mac solo project"', what no- all that jazz? no over the wall? etc

It happened in 1984! A fan did not like the new direction. It's in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52&hilit=usenet

May 9 1984, 11:53 am
Newsgroups: net.music
From: gtay...@cornell.UUCP
Date: Wed, 9-May-84 11:53:42 EDT
Local: Wed, May 9 1984 11:53 am
Subject: Re: Echo and the Bunnymen

Yep, sad to say, "Ocean Rain" is a bit of a stiff. Lotsa
bombast, walls of noise, and McCullough's voice right out
front where you can hear the inane lyrics. This baby smacks
of self-importance. Chances are the record could have been better
if
a) They'd talked Shankar into putting more violin on this (as on Porcupine)

b) They'd rechanneled all the energy they spent in the press whining about
how lousy other bands who sounded remotely like them were.

Perhaps deprived of the chance to overdo things live, they are as
exhilarating as you say, but this chunk of dirgedom doesn't hint at it.