IAN McCULLOCH – Slideling/Mysterio

October 1st, 2012 by jason

Edsel

Candleland (****) His debut album from 1989 and easily his best solo release to date. This re-release adds a second disc, although it will be sure to test the mettle of even the most ardent fan as it contains six versions of ‘Faith And Healing’! His debut solo single (released in 1984) is a mellow cover of ‘September Song’ is a definate highlight as is ‘The Circle Game’ on the bonus disc. The latter shows his vocals off to good effect. The main album has a very Echo & the Bunnyman feel to many of the songs, albeit without some of the bigger production. The title track, ‘The Cape’ and ‘Proud To Fall’ are all highly listenable and memorable tunes. Of the three re-releases this is the only one you’d call essentia.

Sideling (***1/2) Ian McCulloch is the lead singer of Echo & the Bunnymen, who are still going strong and this was his third solo album, originally released not long after the Bunnymen had reformed. This is an eighteen track CD that adds seven bonus songs, including an ill advised cover of John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’ – not a patch on the original or Bryan Ferry’s version. Elsewhere ‘Love In Venus’ is a cracking tune, whilst ‘Baby Hold On’ could have come from the pen of Ian Broudie of Lightning Seeds fame. A couple of Coldplay make a guest appearance on ‘Arthur’, another fine tune.

An enjoyable album and given the interest in Echo & the Bunnymen many will surely pick up on this re-release who may have missed it first time around.

Mysterio (**1/2) A double CD re-issue of his second solo album first released back in 1992. Ian McCulloch himself disowned this album a few years after its release saying it was done mainly as a contractual obligation for the record label.

The second disc adds various live and acoustic versions plus a dire Indian Dawn remix of ‘Lover, Lover, Lover’. A few enjoyable cover versions in the 60′s classic ‘Return To Sender’ and a couple of Leonard Cohen tunes, ‘Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye’ and ‘There Is A War’.

An album definitely for fans only and the bonus disc can be hard work especially on the live songs.

Jason Ritchie

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