Suite XVI

Stranglers

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: September 18, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000GG4T3W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,637 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The 2006 Opus from the Band that was Named Best Punk Band in the UK (Over Media Sensations the Sex Pistols). This Album Marks the Beginning of "Stranglers Mk Iii", Following the Very Amicable Departure of Lead Singer Paul Roberts. Vocal Duties Are Now Shared by Founding Bassist Jean-jacques Burnell and Guitarist Baz Warne. The Menininblack also Return to the EMI Fold Where They Began their Journey Over 30 Years Prior and Keep the Darkness Perpetuated with their Unique Brand of Aggressive Rock.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Hail The Meninblack !, February 12, 2007

By	Vincent Priceless (Glen Cove, New York United States) - See all my reviews

Less in more - now that it's "The Stranglers four" again - everything you loved about the vintage Stranglers sound is here, and then some...JJ's growling bass & vocals, Dave Greenfield's swirling, analogue keys, Jet Black's muscular, drum-machine-on-steroids drumming, and newest member Baz Warne's edgy Telecaster twang? Dare I say it's enough to make H.C. proud - plus those great Stranglers harmonies & a healthy dose of old-school punk attitude too - all add up to this record being a refreshing blast of rock & roll! Take some of the aggression of "Black & White", the psychedelia of "The Raven" & mix with a dash of "Dreamtime" melody, and you just might begin to get a feel for some of the music here, at least that's my initial impression, though this record is still growing on me. Lots to listen to here...old fans of the band will not be disappointed...and to those new comers? All I can say is, if this were the first album by one of those dime-a-dozen "punk" bands of today, the media would be hailing this as an album for the ages.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Far Better Than Expected - Especially For A Cornwell Fan, May 30, 2007

By	Thomas Good (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Trying to replace Hugh Cornwell would seem an impossible task - akin to replacing Weller of The Jam or Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) - but JJ, Jet Black and Dave Greenfield pull it off here. What's terrific is that you don't find yourself comparing the CD to older material (and finding it lacking). The music presented here is enjoyable on its merits, rather than for nostalgia value - the songs rock out rather well. It is wonderful to hear Dave Greenfield all over his Moog (a monophonic synthesizer, i.e. no chords - when I saw the original Stranglers at the Ritz during the Dreamtime tour Greenfield was sweating buckets, he has to be the hardest working keyboardist in rock). Similarly Jean Jacques (JJ) Burnel's "Barracuda Bass" is as exciting as ever. These two instruments entwine to create the signature Stranglers sound. The relatively recent addition of guitarist/vocalist Baz Warne (he signed on for Norfolk Coast) completes the picture: he growls and snarls much like the Stranglers of old. The end result is that this is a Stranglers CD through and through. That's not easy for me to say: I greatly admire the coarse, abrasive sound of No More Heroes and Black And White and was very skeptical of this CD - some of the material that came after Hugh departed was less than memorable. Nonetheless, I can't stop listening to Suite 16. In fact I've never written a review for Amazon and probably never will again so clearly I'm inspired - I'd advise making this purchase, seeing the lads should they tour near you - and turning up the volume. There may indeed be No More Heroes but we still have The Stranglers. Count your blessings.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stranglers' best ever?, October 14, 2006

By	Dean W. (Kansas City) - See all my reviews

I want to start off by saying I have NO idea why the Stranglers are virtually unknown in America. There are so many of their songs and albums that I listen to and think, "I just know other people would love this." Suite XVI could be one of the greatest CDs of 2006, and most of America will never hear it. This saddens me.

I didn't know what to expect from Suite XVI. As mentioned previously, lead singer Paul Roberts is gone. I was very happy that the band elected not to replace him (how could you find a replacement for Paul Roberts?). But I also wasn't sure if it would be the same with JJ and Baz sharing vocal duties.

Well ... suffice it to say they've got it covered! The opening salvo is "Unbroken" and "Spectre of Love" (the first single). Both these tunes are classic Stranglers. "Summat Outanowt" is in a similar vein. JJ's bass playing on this track is indescribable--it's some of his finest work since "Down In The Sewer." "See Me Coming" is one of the highlights, in my opinion--truly a kickass song. But after that comes "Bless You (Save You, Spare You, Damn You)" which has to be in the all-time top 10 greatest Stranglers songs ever written. It's a gorgeous ballad and features some "Golden Brown"-esque harpsichord from Dave and bluesy guitar work from Baz. Absolutely beautiful.

I was a little skeptical when I first read reviews that said this album was better than "Norfolk Coast," because that was an amazing comeback album. But I have to agree--Suite XVI blows it away! That's not speaking ill of "Norfolk Coast" or Paul Roberts; it's a testament to what an amazing band the Stranglers are. If you're not familiar with them, do yourself a favor and listen to as much of their music as you can (starting right here!).