Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain [Bonus Tracks]

Channeling the lessons of the experimental Porcupine into more conventional and simple structural parameters, Ocean Rain emerges as Echo & the Bunnymen's most beautiful and memorable effort. Ornamenting Ian McCulloch's most consistently strong collection of songs to date with subdued guitar textures, sweeping string arrangements, and hauntingly evocative production, the album is dramatic and majestic; "The Killing Moon," Ocean Rain's emotional centerpiece, remains the group's unrivalled pinnacle. [The 2004 reissue of Ocean Rain features improved sound, new liner notes, loads of photos, and a wealth of bonus tracks. The bulk of the bonus tracks is made up of the Life at Brian's sessions, which found the band playing some of their "hits" like "The Killing Moon," "Stars Are Stars," "Silver," and "Villiers Terrace," as well as a faithful cover of the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" in a relaxed, acoustic but still very dramatic setting. Also included are two live cuts from the band's Crystal Days extravaganza in May of 1984 ("My Kingdom" and "Ocean Rain"), and the Velvet Underground-inspired B-side to "Silver," "Angels and Devils." The bonus material is nothing less than superb, and makes the band's best album even better. The only minor fault would be the lack of space to include the extended version of "The Killing Moon."] ~ Jason Ankeny & Tim Sendra, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Peters Soloist, Piano, Orchestral Arrangements, Cello Alan Perman Producer, Harpsichord All Concerned Producer Andy Zax Reissue Producer Bill Inglot Remastering, Reissue Producer Brian D. Griffin Cover Photo Bunnymen Mixing, Producer Dan Hersch Remastering David Frazer Engineer David Lord Engineer Echo & the Bunnymen Producer Gil Norton Engineer, Mixing Greg Allen Project Assistant, Photography Henri Lonstan Engineer Ian McCulloch Group Member, Vocals James Dawes Project Assistant James Rose Project Assistant Jim Kutler Photography Les Pattinson Group Member, Photography, Bass Luvan Kiem Clarinet Martyn Atkins Design Max Bell Liner Notes Pete de Freitas Drums, Group Member Rachel Gutek Reissue Design, Reissue Art Director Rick Conrad Project Assistant Will Sergeant Guitar, Harpsichord, Sitar, Group Member