Siberia

Liverpool's finest are back! Echo & The Bunnymen have just completed their 9th album, "Siberia". It was recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool with the legendary Hugh Jones producing. The band last worked with Hugh on their acclaimed 1981 album, "Heaven Up Here". "Siberia" takes the band back to their roots; it features their dark, swirling fusion of post-punk and Doors inspired psychedelia that brought the group worldwide acclaim and a massive cult following.

From their late ‘70s origins, Echo & the Bunnymen were unfairly lumped in with goth-rockers simply because their music was kind of dark, the boys in the band wore black, and both their name and haircuts were ridiculous. But the group was successful because they wrote awesome, totally distinctive songs that transcended genre trendiness. Now, it's fabulous for their diehard acolytes that Echo & the Bunnymen are still around to make classic post-punk-y Britpop in their signature style, and it would be ridiculous to ask them to write a song like "Going Up" or "The Killing Moon." After all, they already have. But something even approaching that level would be nice, however the band is seeming lackluster and suffers from it. The opening lyrics "And I need it more than love/ And I love it more than life" fail to cut it and seem simply like movement through motions. Longtime fans will find a little comfort amongst their wishes for another vital recording. --Mike McGonigal