Customer Reviews

Collection 1977 1982

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The CD manages to bring together the entire scope of the Stranglers earliest work on one disc. Beginning with the bands abrasive new wave classics "Hangin' Around" and "Peaches," the CD is chronologically arranged and there follows the more melodic but no less hard-hitting "Duchess" and "Who Wants the World." The CD ends with the band's finest early 80's work, "Golden Brown" and "La Folie." This collection certainly hits the target. Though some fans might miss the addition of later hits such as "Skin Deep," and while there are notable ommissions, it would be hard to find a better compilation of the period. So if you're looking for a CD that captures the essence of the band's sound at its various stages between 1977 - 82, then this is the one for you.

Emerging in the heady days of the punk revolution, The Stranglers went out of their way to be offensive but they outlived the punk hype because they were a really talented rock band. This album demonstrates their brilliance and their versatility. Their repertoire included both angry rock anthems and sensitive, beautifully melodic songs. This album includes the uptempo No More Heroes, the politically incorrect Peaches and the protest song Something Better Change, plus their cover of the Bacharach/David classic Walk On By and the tuneful Duchess. Another change in style created Golden Brown with its sublime harpsichord arrangement and the lovely melodic Strange Little Girl. The only major omission is Five Minutes, a powerful piece of aggressive rock. These songs have stood the test of time very well, especially the softer ones like Golden Brown and Strange Little Girl. The Stranglers were definitely one of the most talented UK bands of the 1970s and the 1980s. Greatest Hits 1977 - 1990 is another worthwhile compilation as it includes their hits throughout the 1980s. But for the early period, this album is just fine.