Echoes: A memoir continued . . .

Picture the tranquil beauty of the Wye Valley, hardly the expected crucible for rock 'n' roll rebellion. Yet, within its serene landscape, something extraordinary was brewing: Echo & the Bunnymen were conjuring their debut album, Crocodiles, a sonic boom that would ripple far beyond the Welsh borders. In Echoes, the band's legendary guitarist and sonic architect, Will Sergeant, throws open the studio doors and invites us into this pivotal moment, a wry and intelligent guide through the unlikely genesis of a band on the cusp of iconic status.

Sergeant's voice in Echoes is as distinctive and atmospheric as the Bunnymen's early sound – a dry wit interwoven with keen observations, cutting through the often-inflated mythology of rock stardom. This isn't a predictable tale of hedonistic excess; instead, it's a grounded and often humorous account of a band finding its unique sonic identity amidst the quiet Welsh countryside. He generously shares previously unheard anecdotes from those crucial Rockfield Studio sessions, painting a vivid picture of the creative sparks and unexpected moments that forged the dark, compelling magic of Crocodiles.

From the quiet intensity of the studio, Sergeant whisks us away on the band's exhilarating and often chaotic journey across the Atlantic. We experience the raw energy of their early US gigs, the sweaty intensity of sold-out shows at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, and the intoxicating, after-dark allure of the iconic New York club scene, all filtered through Sergeant's sharp and observant gaze. Crucially, Echoes doesn't exist in a vacuum. Sergeant deftly interweaves personal recollections with insightful snapshots of the cultural, social, and political currents of the time, providing a rich tapestry that illuminates the band's emergence and their distinct place within the post-punk landscape.

Echoes is more than just a band memoir; it's a resonant and often funny journey back to a formative era in music history, guided by one of its key sonic architects. Will Sergeant's distinctive voice and insightful storytelling make this a truly memorable read, a testament to the enduring power of music born in unexpected surroundings and the lasting echo of a band that dared to carve its own singular path. For anyone captivated by the early days of post-punk and the enduring mystique of Echo & the Bunnymen, this book is an absolute must.