New Live and Rare
Echo & the Bunnymen · 1988
41 min · 7 tracks · post-punk
A captivating blend of haunting melodies and driving rhythms showcasing the band's post-punk essence through live performances.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Killing Moon (All Night version) — This extended version amplifies the atmospheric qualities of the original track, allowing listeners to experience its haunting beauty in a new light.
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People Are Strange Start here — Their cover transforms this classic into a darkly immersive experience that melds well with their signature style, highlighting Ian McCulloch's evocative vocal delivery.
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Do It Clean (live) — The raw energy captured in this live rendition exemplifies the band's ability to engage and energize an audience, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP captures the band's live energy but lacks the depth of their studio work.
What we noticed
- The EP features four live tracks that emphasize the band's energetic performance style, contrasting with three studio recordings.
- The arrangement of 'People Are Strange' and 'The Killing Moon' showcases a slower tempo, while the live tracks ramp up the intensity.
- Each live track includes extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and audience interaction.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic live performance energy
- haunting melodies with intensity
- captivating wave-like pacing
- nostalgic covers with depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer studio polish and precision
- seek immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Features live renditions of popular tracks, cherished by dedicated fans.
- Themes
- post-punk energy· haunting live performances· Liverpool's musical legacy
- Career context
- By 1988, Echo & the Bunnymen had established themselves as prominent figures in the post-punk scene, following their critically acclaimed album 'Ocean Rain' in 1984. 'New Live and Rare' serves as a bridge between their earlier work and their evolving sound, capturing the energy of their live shows while reflecting on their artistic journey.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cure· Joy Division· Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tracklist
- 1 People Are Strange Start here 3:39
- 2 The Killing Moon (All Night version) 9:11
- 3 All You Need Is Love 6:44
- 4 Paint It Black (live) 3:19
- 5 Run, Run, Run (live) 3:45
- 6 Friction (live) 4:41
- 7 Do It Clean (live) 9:39
What to play next
Reverberation
1990
Continues the live energy with a more polished studio sound, expanding on the band's signature style.
Echo & the Bunnymen
1987
Sets the stage for 'New Live and Rare' with its mix of haunting melodies and driving rhythms.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Strange Times
The Chameleons
Shares the same atmospheric post-punk sound with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics.
Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
Features a blend of post-punk energy and emotive vocals, echoing the live intensity of Echo & the Bunnymen.
Closer
Joy Division
Captures a similar dark, haunting ambiance with profound emotional depth and post-punk instrumentation.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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