You will not believe how utterly pissed off I am. I just made a massive post about what a great band Echo And The Bunnymen are, complete with sample songs for you to listen to...and got the fucking 45 second rule error. My entire post got wiped. I hate that bloody rule.
I'm too irritated to post something of the length I was going to post before, so please forgive me for the shortness. Anyway, as I said, great band. First three albums were post-punk, fourth one was something else completely. From that point on, their music has sadly declined into the depressing world of adult contemporary rock/pop. If I were you, I'd buy their first four albums in order to hear the magnificent journey from Crocodiles to Ocean Rain. Personally, I wouldn't bother with anything beyond that point. My favourite album is Porcupine, with Ocean Rain and Heaven Up Here coming in as close seconds. Crocodiles is very strong too.
Here's a link to the original songs I uploaded. It's a zip file...I originally uploaded them song by song, but I just don't have the time to do that again. Just have a listen to them, see if you like them:
http://s39.yousend it.com/d.aspx?id=3SHLSPNPB5FIX3FYYI57FCSC8H
From Crocodiles (1980)
Going Up
Rescue
Crocodiles
From Heaven Up Here (1981)
Show Of Strength
Over The Wall
All My Colours (*)
From Porcupine (1983)
The Cutter
Porcupine
Heads Will Roll
Ripeness
From Ocean Rain (1984)
The Killing Moon (**)
My Kingdom
Ocean Rain
* All My Colours is one of the most haunting/depressing songs the Bunnymen have ever done. If you're into Joy Division, you'll probably appreciate this one. I adore it.
What do you say when your heart's in pieces / How to play those cards in sequence / That box you gave me burned nicely / That box you gave me burned nicely
** The Killing Moon is, in my opinion, has one of the best melodies they've ever written.
Under blue moon I saw you / So soon you'll take me / Up in your arms / Too late to beg you or cancel it / Though I know it must be the killing time / Unwillingly mine...
Oh, by the way, between Television and Echo and the Bunnymen, it's pretty easy to see how The Edge's early guitar work was influenced.