Album of the Day

Echo and the Bunnymen's superb debut, CROCODILES, was released on this day in 1980. With one foot in the past and one in the future, it displays both the influence of '60s psychedelia and bands like The Doors as well as the darkness and anguish for which goth and post-punk would soon be known. Its dozen songs are exceptionally strong, and feature the group's first two singles (a re-recorded “Pictures On My Wall” and “Rescue”) and concert staple “Do It Clean” (which was left off the original U.K. pressing in the mistaken belief that it contained expletives). Ian McCulloch is in fine voice throughout, and Will Sergeant's playing makes him a clear contender for most underrated guitarist of the 1980s. Britain's NME named CROCODILES one of the decade's 50 greatest albums, and we're hard-pressed to disagree...