Echo & the Bunnymen

Having preceded the self-titled album, Reverberation, and the late-'90s re-formation that has so far led to four further studio albums and two widely released live sets, Songs to Learn and Sing went over 20 years as the lone introduction to Echo & the Bunnymen. The group has more than doubled its output since the compilation was released, so either a revision or a sequel has been a long time coming. "More Songs to Learn and Sing," the subtitle of The Very Best of Echo & the Bunnymen, is misleading since the disc is not supplemental. With the exception of "The Puppet," it contains each of the selections from Songs to Learn and Sing, and it adds ten songs: two from Echo & the Bunnymen, three from Evergreen, one each from What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?, Flowers, and Siberia, in addition to covers of the Doors' "People Are Strange" (from the Lost Boys soundtrack) and Tim Hardin's "Hang on to a Dream" (for the completists). Of course, this doesn't wrap up all the highlights, especially when it comes to the first four albums. And if you're drawn to the earlier, hungrier, darker material, Crocodiles and Heaven Up Here are top-to-bottom necessary. [The edition released in the U.S. adds a DVD containing eight videos, most of which predate Evergreen.] ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide