Album of the Day

Released 40 years ago today, Echo and the Bunnymen's debut had one foot in the past and one in the future; while listeners could detect the influence of '60s psychedelia and bands like The Doors, CROCODILES was also steeped in the darkness and anguish for which goth and post-punk would soon be known. Its dozen songs were exceptionally strong, and featured the group's first two singles (a rerecorded “Pictures On My Wall” and “Rescue”) and soon-to-be concert staple “Do It Clean” (which had been 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...