The amazement I felt when I heard this album is indescribable. You know how it is when a band comes back together and makes their reunion album, everyone pays attention and expectations run high. Generally afterwards, however, if the band still remains no one really notices their efforts."Siberia" is the fourth album from this Liverpool institution since their return in 1997 with "Evergreen". The only original members who remain are the potent songwriting team of front man Ian "Mac" McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant."All Because of You Days", "Parthenon Drive", "Everything Kills You", "Of a Life"... these songs are surely every bit the measure of the Bunnymen's youthful excesses. "Parthenon Drive" in particular is an amazing recollection of not only Mac's life but that of the band's; it really makes you stop and pay attention. The Bunnymen believe and so do I.For a group who have inspired so many (The Jesus and Mary Chain, U2 and The Mighty Lemon Drops most obviously), the Bunnymen spent most of the 90s as a fractured lot with Will and company trying to soldier on without Mac and Ian himself embarking on a solo career which produced few sparks and even fewer sales. But for me, Echo and The Bunnymen have always sounded out of this world, intoxicatingly addictive, an act destined for immortality.And now? They are very much alive these days, the chemistry of the band has never been better. For those fans who did not think it was possible to ever go back to the way it was, "Siberia" shows not only how the power of memory endures but also how beautiful it can be to have an old friend come back and help make some new ones.

Your review is a glowing testament to the enduring, amazing quality of Echo & The Bunnymen (of course, notably Ian McCulloch & Will Sergeant). I was only familiar with "The Killing Moon" & "Lips Like Sugar". However, my tastes have changed many, many times throughout the years! After tackling Jesus & Mary Chain's back-catalog (when you take into account, live & compilations), I was ready for another sound. (I can't immerse myself in them for too, too long...before I need to "come up for some 'fresh' air!). I also knew a friend, who I'd purchased both White Lies & Suede for, so knew that EATB would be a good fit. Overwhelmed with their back catalog (as I knew I'd be! It took me almost a year! to decide to get for said friend, The Church's Starfish) I figured, at that rate, I might not even still be in existence by the time I could really delve into all of EATB's releases! So, I actually took the easy way out when I found their incarnation of Superfixion "Burned" & started with that one. Loving it, I was ready to proceed!... Since I've always liked live recordings, & I do tons of research...reading reviews on Amazon, allmusic & even looking up, if I can find online, from Pitchfork & NME. I actually pretty quickly decided upon Live in Liverpool for each & Siberia for myself, as well as the Live in Liverpool DVD for me! I can report Super-pleased with these decisions!! Ironically, prior to this, I had picked up Julian Cope's Saint Julian (since I've pretty much been "trolling" late 80's as a treasure-trove of oft unrecognized and/or miscategorized great music that missed the masses!! i.e. another: Flesh for Lulu) I then read that Ian & Julian had started out in the same band! This actually pretty much began even before JAMC with New Order's "Crystal", which I'd read about in either Q or NME, or another music magazine back issue & I loved that! Most of my music seems to be either British, Australian, Scottish (in the case of JAMC) or a duo from Belgium, who I love, but I don't know that there's many others who do!! Black Box Revelation! I really wanted to share with you how much I enjoyed reading your review (and since Pandora radio's been kind enough to send me music from The Mighty Lemon Drops, I am familiar with them!!) I find not too many people leave reviews, so I wanted you to know yours hasn't gone unread & I, for one, appreciate your taking the time to write it!