"The Fountain" is the eleventh studio album by British band Echo & the Bunnymen, released on October 12, 2009. Produced by John McLaughlin, Ian McCulloch, and Simon Perry, the album features the lead single "Think I Need It Too," released on September 28, 2009.
The album received mixed reviews, with a Metacritic score of 58/100. The Guardian awarded it four stars, praising McCulloch's playful lyrics and Sergeant's guitar work, noting that the album is their most accessible in years and could attract a new generation of fans. Q Magazine highlighted the rejuvenated sound from the new rhythm section and described the duo's performance as "remarkably perky."
On the other hand, Mojo criticized it as "mid-tempo, middle of the road, middle-aged pop-rock," finding it lacking in character. The Word noted McCulloch's vocals sounded tired, and Sergeant's guitar felt derivative. Uncut referred to the album as "dismayingly anonymous," with a production that lacked energy.
Despite the mixed critical reception, The Fountain reached No. 63 on the UK Albums Chart, marking a significant moment in the band's discography.
