Has Ian Lost It?

[Sick4Tunz]

I admit my tequila fueled rocket was beginning to drift out of orbit during the EATB performance at All Points West, but when I listened to their songs on YouTube the following day the first thing that came to mind was "Was I at the same concert?" I blamed it on the poor recordings from within the audience, but then I listened to Frank's Megaupload soundboard recording and confirmed that Ian seemed especially off that night. I realize his smooth as silk voice of 1984 is distant history. But he even sounded off the mark when compared to the SXSW show in March this year and the Austin show in 2006. At All Points West his voice sounded sweet to me, the result of being at a live performance, the golden glow of the alcohol and shear love of the band. But that particular feeling does not carry through to the critical light of day.

Was it a half hearted performance in front of an audience waiting for Cold Play? Was it the thought of playing second fiddle to Cold Play? Or could it be he was chain smoking before his stage performance, a case of stage fright? Or is it simply a fact that his abilities are slipping another notch?

It was hot that evening, so what's with the black coat when other performers were dripping on the audience? Does he also need to dig himself out of the past and update his stage performance?

I need to know in order to judge how much tequila I need to sneak into the LA show to ensure that in my mind its 1984 all over again.

[In The Margins]

Maybe you should be going to rehab instead.

[withahip]

Get loaded. He sounds amazing.

[blinkilite]

i don't think Ian has lost it at all.

If you go back and listen to some of the recordings around Siberia tour, his voice was very raspy and deep and he couldn't hit any of the high notes. I believe he did some kind of vocal training (and maybe cut back on the smoking a bit) for the Ocean Rain gigs. He can't hit all the notes he could 20 years ago, but his voice sounds a zillion times better than it did 3-4 yrs ago. and for APW, I thought he sounded pretty good for an out door performance.

If you go to a proper bunnymen gig at a real venue (with an audience there to see the bunnymen, not coldplay) the vibe in the audience is far better, and it usually fuels the band for a better performance. festivals are generally crap gigs anyway... but having said that, i thought APW was pretty good.

As for the overcoat/hoodie combo - that's kind of "his ensemble" that he wears on stage. i sorta wish someone would pull him aside and tell him its silly and he needs a new stage outfit, but i don't expect it to change any time soon.

[black francis]

He was all sophisticated for his 2003 solo tour. Jeans, blazer and slightly less ridiculous than usual footwear. He looked and sounded great. If he went that route again I think it would be more befitting someone of his stature than the homeless soccer fan look he's been sporting.

[Sick4Tunz]

If you go to a proper bunnymen gig at a real venue (with an audience there to see the bunnymen, not coldplay) the vibe in the audience is far better, and it usually fuels the band for a better performance. festivals are generally crap gigs anyway... but having said that, i thought APW was pretty good.

That's good to know, considering this was my first outdoor festival. I too prefer indoor venues with a crowd of loyal fans that have come to see the band headlining the show. I can see how that motivates the band to give their peformance the extra effort. Thanks for the very thoughtful reply.

Control freaks don't need rehabilitation. Behaviors change once actions serve no purpose. It is not the alcohol I'm addicted to, its the music. It is simply a vehicle, not the destination. If I can find a better legal means of maximizing the experience that is capable of reaching 1984, to either mask the effects of age or bring that bootleg to life, then you can bet I'll switch.

[tonywojo]

i don't think Ian has lost it at all.

If you go back and listen to some of the recordings around Siberia tour, his voice was very raspy and deep and he couldn't hit any of the high notes. I believe he did some kind of vocal training (and maybe cut back on the smoking a bit) for the Ocean Rain gigs. He can't hit all the notes he could 20 years ago, but his voice sounds a zillion times better than it did 3-4 yrs ago. and for APW, I thought he sounded pretty good for an out door performance.

If you go to a proper bunnymen gig at a real venue (with an audience there to see the bunnymen, not coldplay) the vibe in the audience is far better, and it usually fuels the band for a better performance. festivals are generally crap gigs anyway... but having said that, i thought APW was pretty good.

As for the overcoat/hoodie combo - that's kind of "his ensemble" that he wears on stage. i sorta wish someone would pull him aside and tell him its silly and he needs a new stage outfit, but i don't expect it to change any time soon.

I dont think he stropped smoking - there is a ban in public places over here.

[tonywojo]

He was all sophisticated for his 2003 solo tour. Jeans, blazer and slightly less ridiculous than usual footwear. He looked and sounded great. If he went that route again I think it would be more befitting someone of his stature than the homeless soccer fan look he's been sporting.

He needs to wear a full suit like the others did for Ocean Rain

[tonsilith]

Should wear that old 80's Liverpool kit that Jimmy Case makes him wear for charity 5-a-side games.

[black francis]

I'd be fine with the spaghetti strap get up

[Mr.Sparkle]

I think more troubling is his horrible lyrics in recent years. In terms of hitting the high notes of the early stuff, that's clearly not happening for the most part (he did a decent job at the first OR show). I actually like his lower vocals on most of the new stuff, just too bad his lyrical output has taken a steady nosedive for the past 10, 20 years. It's almost like the more mainstream the Bunnymen try to get (and it's clear on certain songs, IMO) the worse the lyrics get.

[withahip]

I think more troubling is his horrible lyrics in recent years.

[Dr Evil]

Siberia showed Mac could achieve greatness with a voice not much better than Leonard Cohen or Mark Burgess (both of whom also achieved greatness with a fraction of Mac's range at it's peak) but the Fountain vocals really are taking the piss, even if Mac was as good a songwriter as Mark, Leonard or his younger self, the quality of his voice has gone down further on the new material-he no longer qualifies as a singer. Time to recruit one for the Bunnymen. Noel Burke or Richard Ashcroft come to mind. Or else Will should join the Chameleons. Frankly I am un-obsessed with Mac-quite an achievement on his part, and the real discussion is how to save Will's career-Mac seems to have treated him like a dog, smoking until his voice got to that stage was the ultimate disrespect to a still great guitarist. Is Will going down with the ship? And can Mac sing ANY of the old songs now?

[tonsilith]

Forgotten Fields has great lyrics and is sung wonderfully. Mac can still do it when he mood takes him.

[withahip]

Forgotten Fields has great lyrics and is sung wonderfully. Mac can still do it when he mood takes him.

Good. Of course we don't want him to push himself too hard. Give us a good song or two and a lot of filler. Thanks Mac.