So What's The Final Verdict on The Fountain?

[Mr.Sparkle]

What does everyone ultimately think of it? I've listened to it a good bit and come to the conclusion that about half the album is a solo album by Ian, probably co-written with McLaughlin and the other half (the better half) is co-written by Will with help from McLaughlin. While I like the overall sound of the production, it's a little annoying that a lot of the guitar is way back in the mix, along with the bass on a lot of songs, I didn't even realize there was a cool guitar riff during the chorus of Drivetime until I was listening to on my headphones and even then it was hard to make out. The piano/keyboard ending to that song is actually the riff that Will is playing throughout the chorus, but you can barely even hear it. There's way too much stupid background vocals on most of the songs and the lyrics are bad on some songs, etc.

While the production has probably made some of the weaker songs sound better than they are, it's actually hurt some songs, IMO. Some songs seem to end way too soon (Everlasting) and other songs are just boring (Fountain and Idolness). Where is the guitar/music/instrumental breaks in those 2 songs? They had potential but the producer and/or Ian just chose the boring, safe route.

I will say the current lineup sounds pretty tight on this album throughout, it's just a shame that Ian has this much control over the band. I wouldn't mind if he was a better lyricist and songwriter but he isn't. He clearly needs other people to contribute, which is a big reason why the first 4 Bunnymen albums were so good. It wasn't just one guy writing all the songs.

[electrabunny]

I don't have it yet I had to breakdown and order the import from Amazon, which they say will ship in 2 weeks. So at least I'll have a couple weeks to listen to it before I see them in Atlanta. I know I can get that free copy or whatever, but just don't want to bother - I want the real CD!
Why are they releasing it a month later in the US? That's just stupid.

[black francis]

I like Life of a 1000 Crimes quite a bit and am okay with Shroud of Turin and Forgotten Fields. None of them come across to me as Bunnymen classics though. They have elements of greatness to them but it seems like they're missing that special something to put them over the edge. The album sounds professional and there is nothing on there that offends my delicate sensibilities but nothing that truly excites me either.

[shadows on the trees]

I'm listening to it now for the first time and I'd say it's okay. The "sound" of the album in general reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on. It's similar to "Friday I'm in Love" Cure compared to "Faith" Cure. Very clean, sanitized. Not exciting at all.

I think it's idiotic that the CD comes out a month later here in the U.S., too. And that the album's not available on iTunes. Hello- 21st century here? Globalization, the internet... ring a bell, Bunnymen?

[black francis]

I think it has something to do with the metric system

[shadows on the trees]

What do they call a Quarter Pounder over there, anyway?

[withahip]

Meh. The new Air and Flaming Lips are much better.

[Mr.Sparkle]

Yeah, I don't understand why it's been delayed here in the US. I'll buy it to get the CD and help out the band.

Anyone think it'll sell any better than the last few albums? Does it deserve to do better? Instead of trying newer or different sounds on the album, the band (Ian) have clearly gone the production route in order to get better sales. I'm not really slamming the album, just stating the obvious truth. I still like about half the songs on it.

[electrabunny]

What do they call a Quarter Pounder over there, anyway?

A Royale with Cheese? At least according to Pulp Fiction.

[lazarus]

I've never heard a song fadeout as bad as 'Shroud of turin', it clearly missed a few seconds, i thought i was due to a bad rip but now i have the cd, it's still the same sh** ending. Unbelievable.

Otherwise, i like this album a lot..until now.
I skip 'Proxy' everytime (big shame, could'nt event make it on Slideling), the single is average but i like all the rest, esp. The fountain, drivetime (wonderful singing), forgotten fields.

I've never expected Ocean Rain or HUH mark II. We're in 2009. After 30 years, i think the bunnies are still rather good, i just wouldn't excuse 'Flowers' which was awful from end to start. This one, along with Siberia, is better than average, that'll do for me as long as there's at least 3-4 very good songs on each.

[JackT]

I think it has something to do with the metric system

Life of 837 Crimes

[Dr Cheese]

I'm bored with it now, it's too instant for me meaning there's nothing to discover with repeated listenings, it took me ages to "get" Porcupine for instance but I "got" The Fountain staight away. It's well produced, if a tad overproduced, but a lot of the songs don't really go anywhere. Forgotten Fields for instance seems to be building towards a big chorus or guitar break or something but it just ends without doing anything. I quite like Everlasting Neverendless and bits and pieces of most of the other tracks apart from Proxy, which is appalling, and Idolness which is just another of Mac's Boring Ballads By Numbers but overall it's just too bland for me. It glides by with hardly anything to make you notice it and before you know it track 1 is on again.

My final verdict - Inoffensive, bland and toothless with Will shackled by Mac's MOR tendancies. A reasonable Mac solo album but a fairly mediocre and weak Bunnymen album, I can't see myself digging this one out too often.

[withahip]

My final verdict - Inoffensive, bland and toothless with Will shackled by Mac's MOR tendancies. A reasonable Mac solo album but a fairly mediocre and weak Bunnymen album, I can't see myself digging this one out too often.

Thanks. I knew someone would feel exactly the same as me and save me the time.

[Dr Cheese]

Glad to oblige.

[shadows on the trees]

Thanks. I knew someone would feel exactly the same as me and save me the time.

Ditto.