Most reunions
of much-loved groups are tawdry, money-making exercises, focussing on series of
expensive concert dates. If they make it as far as the recording studio, the
results are disappointing, with very few producing a song that ranks amongst
their finest. Liverpool's Echo & the Bunnymen are an exception, but then
they were always different.
After lead
singer Ian McCulloch departed in 1989, it took eight years, before he was
reconciled with the two remaining Bunnymen. The comeback album
"Evergreen" was a definite return to form, and its standout track the
majestic "Nothing Ever Lasts Forever". McCulloch had started to write
it in 1990, presenting it with typical immodesty as "one of the best songs
of all time", although his band mates were less impressed.
It is another stirring carpe diem, a rallying cry
to enjoy today, similar to U2's "Beautiful Day" (ironic as Ian
McCulloch hated U2 with a passion). A sweeping ballad in the best Bunnymen
tradition, with Will Sergeant's distinctive guitar sound the driving defining
force.
As normal McCulloch's
lyrics are literate and poetic, do things now ("I want it now / Not the
promises of what tomorrow brings) and don't procrastinate ("Nothing comes to those who wait").
Time goes too quickly, and the line "Time's running out
the door you're running in" always reminds me of John Lennon's "Life
is what happens, when you're busy making other plans". The chorus is short but anthemic. Liam
Gallagher from Oasis popped in to add the Beatlesque backing vocals.
Even in their most positive moments, there is always a brooding
intensity with the Bunnymen, with the final warning "All the shadows and
the pain / Are coming to you", repeated six times as the song fades.
The epic scale of their work meant that the addition of strings
to this song was an obvious and effective touch. The only I saw them live, they
performed the entire "Ocean Rain album" with a full orchestra and it
seemed natural match.
"Nothing
Ever Lasts Forever" renewed their reputation, a top 10 single in the UK,
and so frequently used in TV shows.
Hear Next - "Ocean Rain" is the self-acknowledged masterpiece, but beginners may wish to start with "Songs to
sing and learn" compilation.
