Echo & the Bunnymen - Crocodiles - LP [ Record ]

2021 UK/EU limited edition 10-track LP, remastered and pressed on 180-gram heavyweight black vinyl. The Bunnymen's 1980 classic debut longplayer is now back in print after 40 years, produced by The Chameleons and Ian Broudie. Picture sleeve replicating the original Brian Griffin cover artwork, factory sealed. Essential)

Crocodiles was originally released in July 1980 and reached 17 in the UK Charts. The band rose to the fore as part of the vibrant post punk Liverpool scene with the likes of Teardrop Explodes. Their debut gig at the now legendary 'Erics' home of the Cavern Club on Matthew St Liverpool, the cradle of British rock and roll, delivered them onto the scene. Recorded at Eden Studios in London and Rockfield Studios in Monmouth Wales, Crocodiles was produced by Bill Drummond and David Balfe, it is heralded as one of the 'Classic Debut Albums Of All Time'. Ian Broudie had already produced the single 'Rescue' and the albums cover and music both reflect the imagery of darkness and sorrowfulness contained within. This was much lauded at the time with NME describing McCulloughs lyrics as being 'scattered with themes of sorrow, horror,and despair, themes that are reinforced by stormy animal/sexual imagery".

Echo And The Bunnymen were formed in 1979 and originally consisted of Ian McCullough, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson and a drum machine 'Echo'. Their debut single 'Pictures On My Wall was released in July 1979 on the independent Liverpool Zoo Records, The band subsequently signed to WEA subsidiary label Korova. The band toured Britain prior to recording the album in a single 3 week stint at Rockfield with bassist Les Pattinson commenting how he was amazed at the tedium of the recording process. "There was a lot of hanging about. I didn't get all the 'drop-ins' and 'edits' bit. But that naivete was transferred to tape. which is good". Crocodiles was and is a classic debut, one captured in time by Drummond and Balfe : alias The Chameleons.

Tracks

Side One
1. Going Up
2. Stars Are Stars
3. Pride
4. Monkeys
5. Crocodiles

Side Two
1. Rescue
2. Villiers Terrace
3. Pictures On My Wall
4. All That Jazz
5. Happy Death Men