May 23, 1997
Echo returns loud and clear

The word "reunion'' can strike fear into the hearts of rock fans everywhere.

No one wants to watch their favorite band of yesteryear take a sad stab at past glories, only to find that their old heroes are past their prime.

A packed house of such worried fans let out an almost audible sigh of relief at the Guvernment last night as Echo & The Bunnymen successfully staged one of their first shows in a decade.

The Liverpool post-punk veterans are currently on tour promoting their upcoming disc, Evergreen, the first Bunnymen album since 1987 to feature founding frontman Ian McCulloch.

(The band's remaining original members, guitarist Will Sergeant and bassist Les Pattinson -- drummer Pete de Freitas died in a motorcycle accident in 1989 -- carried on with replacements and released a coolly received album in 1990 before The Bunnymen fizzled out.)

To see the charismatic and notoriously outspoken McCulloch back in the spotlight was a fine sight.

That said, it would be tough to call last night's show a comeback.

Much of their early work still holds up on its own.

Besides, the band was basically picking up where they left off: McCulloch, 38, looked and sounded the same. The well-dressed singer alternated wriggling stage moves with studied composure. He rolled his deep croon over the now-classic The Killing Moon, from 1984's Ocean Rain, as well as new songs, like upcoming single Nothing Lasts Forever.

Old favorites like The Cutter, Back Of Love -- both from '83's Porcupine -- and punky traditional set-closer Do It Clean tested McCulloch's almost-operatic wail, not too mention his knack for working the odd Sinatra, James Brown or Paul Simon lyric into his weird improvisations.

Sergeant and Pattinson appeared better fed than before, but still played with alarming precision and power.

Sergeant's clanging, heavy-fisted guitar style may have been fuelled by frustration. Chronic amp problems plagued him from the set opener, 1980's Rescue, through to the encore.

New drummer Mike Lee was bang-on. While de Freitas' feather touch was missed at times, Lee guided the group's trademark dynamics throughout the show.

The Bunnymen also benefitted from the support of an added rhythm guitarist and keyboardist.

The band scored major audience points by dusting off some of their best work -- early '80s tracks All That Jazz and Over The Wall were highlights -- but the Evergreen tunes had extra polish. Unveiled for the first time, shiny songs like Don't Let It Get You Down and I Want To Be There previewed particularly well.

The show's low point came only when The Bunnymen had to pack up after 90 minutes to allow for The Guvernment's regularly scheduled disco activities.

A solid round of booing ensued.

It was the best sign of appreciation the band could have earned.

SUN RATING 4 OUT OF 5