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By TED MCLENDON

Echo and the Bunnymen, "What are you going to do with your life?" London Records, 1999.

A legitimate question, and in response, Ian McCulloch sings, "I'm gonna be me, be me, be me," certainly a quaint affirmation, but hardly the level of artistic profundity I'd expect from the man who brought forth the lyrical wonders of "The Killing Moon" and "White Devil."

But then, "What are you going to do with your life?" as a whole, seems to fall short of the impact that Echo and the Bunnymen's earlier works had.

Since their inception in 1978, the Bunnymen have seen a complex history of breakups, solo careers, side projects and reuniting. Throughout this turbulence, however, the core of the band, duo Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, have created a library of compositions that are majestic works in themselves as well as heavily influential pieces in the history of modern rock.

Their movement away from the simplistic three chord punk sound, the incorporation of elegant string arrangements, and the harrowing yet breathtaking presence of Ian's unique vocals all combined to place the band at, what was in the early 80's, a true alternative to mainstream rock.

When I heard that the band had not only reunited, but had a new album out, I was ecstatic. Having fitfully pillaged through the songs of several new albums I'd purchased, only to find myself despairing over their mediocrity, I thought "finally, this will be the perfect combination of distinct eccentricity and warm familiarity that my musical thirst has been longing for."

Needless to say, I was disappointed. Perhaps I set myself up for a letdown, but Echo and the Bunnymen had always been so definitively solid. Like a foundation, a home base, a place to go when all else seemed to be failing, Echo was always there.

Countless times I've listened to 1985's release "Songs to learn and sing," and while I always find myself identifying with new aspects of the album, I also find myself endlessly impressed and never, ever bored with it.

"What are you going to do with your life" lacks that impact. Having given it several listens, I found myself unsatiated, wanting something more.

In addition, even the best points of the album seem to lack depth. The orchestration, while impressively seamless, is too subtle. The song "Get in the car" is a perfect example of what could be brilliant composition if the accompanying brass section from The Fun Lovin' Criminals was not so subdued.

There are a few other high points to the album, but finding them displaced among slow, uneventful ballads detracts from their potential power.

Ultimately, if you are unfamiliar with Echo and the Bunnymen, I would not recommend introducing yourself to them through this album. Instead, listen to "Songs to learn and sing." After you are familiar with the band's potential, you may want to pick this one up, just for perspective.