Customer Reviews

Meninblack (Dig)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 1980, years before the film 'Meninblack' came out, the Stranglers devoted a concept album to black-clad extra-terrestrials. A track on the previous album, the classic 'Raven', had already touched on the theme and since the group and most of their fan base wore nothing but black it seemed logical to develop the idea further. In the columns of their excellent fanzine, 'Strangled', they tried to convince their following that since touching on the theme they had been plagued by bad luck (Hugh Cornwell's arrest, the theft of the band's equipment, etc). This was put down to the influence of aliens from outer space!! The MeninBlack (or M.I.B) album was much more electronic and synthesised than previous recordings. In many ways it was ahead of its time but fell on deaf ears from some of the more narrow minded of their punk following. The sight of fans pogoing to the mid-tempo 'Thrown Away' on Top of the Pops spoke volumes of the unwillingness of some to allow the group to evolve. Commercially the album was not a success but it is worth listening to. One classic lyric concerning Jesus' second coming was particularly inspired: 'he may be ugly and have problem hair, even speak funny and make all the people stare'.

After working in a record store for 6 years and coming from a family of musicians and music lovers alike I thought I had heard
a great deal of good music,and then I discoverd this cd.
Meninblack is one of the most innovative albims I have ever heard. Apparently when it was released in '81 it garnerd little fanfare and no 'hits'- not suprising, it was way ahead of it's time.Forget Tangerine Dream- this album pioneered techno while still being very much a rock album. The more I listen to it the more I love it,a must have for fans of Talking Heads,Gang of Four,Devo etc., notable tracks:'It's Like Nothing on Earth','Waiting for the Men in Black',and 'Manna Machine' which listens like a distant stare into space.

With the deluge of seemingly unresponsive earthly inhabitants scurrying about in the early 80's, it's no wonder that the topics described herein by The Stranglers on "The Gospel" are as relevant and damning as ever. Covering vast extremes of religious fundamentalism to even the congregating masses awash in Americana's eyes, this album is a culmination and dare say climax of a synthesis of personal insight lead by the quad and furthered by a near silly progressive synth backdrop awash in goof speak as well as serious complications with personal faith. If there could be a contemporary album by the Stranglers, this was there initial fray into attacking even headier topics than "Black and White". Taken in this context, the album offers a startling venture in a (ahh hum) Godless world whose inhabitants, driven by media and inclusiveness, seemingly damn "the second" coming of what would've been the next prianna. It seems these topics where even troubling to the crew itself, and personally one of the standout tracks has to be Greenfields only vocal contribution that explores what is quite possibly his own issues with faith (namely Christianity) in a subtle exploration of "What if He came back today?" At the end...it would seem the Returner would be apt. to sit quietly in an institution quite unaware of his seeming relevance. This an album, nary a single to be plucked from its confines, but taken as whole it warrants consideration and appreciation for the subtleties of its lyrical adventurism and more often than not, lo-fi, driving synthesis.

Been listening to this one for many years, never tire of it, always something new to hear. They conjure it all on this record with intensity and restraint. The songs are brilliant in a framework of their own, rather than any sort of "hook laden" pop/rock or punk style. The musicianship is masterful, almost neurotically precise drums and bass and lots of keyboard jumping around. The guitar playing is just insane, especially on tracks like "Nothing on Earth". Hugh delivers the vocals totally deadpan with at times a sort of fake east-european accent. Intro. track features chipmunk-like creepy aliens laughing at the plight of humanity (I suppose).

This was one of the albums that got me through high school... DEFINITELY a 'desert island disc'. Just heard it again for the first time in 10 years. Better than I remembered! HIGHLY recommended. Possibly the greatest concept album ever made.

I now own 15 CD's from the Stranglers (16 if you count a best of release) and this is definetly, without a shadow of a doubt, my least favorite, as a matter of fact I hate this record, there isn't one track on here I could live without, not one. Sound harsh? Just telling it like it is for me. The Stranglers changed their styles over the years and I pretty much like them from Feline on with several tracks from stuff earlier to that also included, but not one track from Meninblack would be included. Concept albums are OK in my book, I love Tommy, I also liked Tarkus, and Setting Sons, so I'm not against the concept album, its just that these songs are all querky, and querky is good if your Weird Al Yankovich, but not the Stranglers. They developed into my idea of guys who were very cool, this album is if anything very geeky, not cool at all. Make this the last of the releases to get if your a compleatist as your not missing anything, not even the bonus tracks are redeeming.