Album Review: Ian McCulloch - Holy Ghosts

Whether as solo artist, or his probably better-known role as frontman for Echo & The Bunnymen, Ian McCulloch has never been short on confidence – the digipak of this double album set even proclaiming him “the greatest singer of the post-punk era bar none”. Consider yourself told.

Thing is, this package tends to highlight the then and now. Disc One is reworkings of some of the Bunnymen's best, and a couple of his solo highlight pieces, coloured by a string section just big enough not to sound grandiose and keep some intimacy to it. The croon that gave claim to that boast is often still there, the rasp at its edges maybe even adding some experience to Bring On The Dancing Horses' knowing recognition of the absurd, or the souring love of Lips Like Sugar. And that pause just before the chorus sweeps in on the timeless Killing Moon still ripples the hairs on your neck, and makes you take a breath.

The other half is a little more problematic. Pro Patria Mori is McCulloch's newest solo album, and while some of the constructions are genuinely crafted and textured, too often the words just sort of clunk. Lift Me Up aptly soars a bit, heading toward that trance-like swirl the Bunnymen could conjure, but just not quite getting there. And his fanboy ode to Me And David Bowie (“Thanks for all you showed me… you're hunky dory”) might make some cringe, but apparently they're now doing some work together, so it's worked for him. Some of Holy Ghosts is quite wonderful – particularly through the first half – but you might have to dig for it.