Sometimes it’s a shame that records are only about 40 minutes long. The Hold Steady’s Boys and Girls in America could go on for an additional hour, and I wouldn’t complain. Treats by Sleigh Bells could play on a never-ending Infinite Jest-style loop, and I’d be a happy camper. There are some records where 40 minutes is 40 too many, though.
Well, more like 37 minutes and 23 seconds, to be exact.
Congratulations Echo & the Bunnymen, you and your record Ocean Rain embody absolutely everything that I cannot stand about music. Now that takes something special.
As far as I’m concerned, this album set the standard for the wave of pretentiousness in music that followed its release. TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear, and Radiohead combined don’t hold a candle to these guys. Front man Ian McCulloch masquerades behind faux-intelligence, heavy vocal echos, and a general sense of terrible-human-being-ness. Just look at this picture. You’ve “decided to wear your thorn of crowns,” have you? Well thanks a lot McCulloch, I’m really glad that you are here to die for our sins. A lack of indoor-sunglass-wearing is the problem that I’ve always had with other messiahs.
I probably wouldn’t even notice the pretentiousness if it weren’t for the sheer boringness that finds a home in every nook and cranny of this record. It’s not just the lyrics—the music’s “minimalist” approach just comes off as lazy. If you’re going to have terrible lyrics, at least try to hide them behind something.
Bad records don’t make me angry—we all need something to laugh at sometimes. Bad records that are lauded with praise, on the other hand, irk me like nothing else. Seriously, what is it exactly that people saw in this band? Please, someone enlighten me.
Swole Ear 
I actually really liked the song you posted with this.
The radiohead comment reminded me to share that they’ve been growing on me since my initial, disappointed listen. There’s definitely a lot of replay value in them.
I agree with what you are saying about Radiohead. McCulloch is a coarse fella but Echo are class. Absolutely timeless, distinct music with nothing like them today. http://jamiekendrick.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/live-echo-the-bunnymen-strings/
It would be funny to see him on Big Brother sporting those shades, he would probably fit in. And win.