This came out in 2002 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
When it comes to live albums, there are two camps: 1) Purists who worship rare, scratchy bootlegs recorded during their favourite band’s raw, inexperienced youth; and 2) Casual fans who are happy with a slick, well-produced recording of said band performing their hits on their latest tour.
Only those in the latter category need bother with Live in Liverpool, the new concert disc from old wavers Echo & the Bunnymen. Recorded last year, it captures the Bunnymen — singer Ian McCullogh, guitarist Will Sergeant and some hired help — professionally recreating a dozen oldies like Rescue, The Cutter and Ocean Rain, along with a handful of new tunes to please … well, themselves, mostly. Purists will scoff, naturally, but the casual fan won’t find much to carp about — unless you count the fact that Ian sounds more like Neil Diamond than Jim Morrison these days.
