Customer Reviews

Suite Xvi

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!).

The most unexpected surprise of 2006 was the Stranglers CD "Suite XVI". Like many fans, I hadn't given them much thought after Hugh's departure in 1990.

If you're new to the band, that would be lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Hugh Cornwell. He had dominated the group for 10 albums (starting with 1977's "IV Rattus Norvegicus"), and they were one of the best bands ever. To replace him was unthinkable, but that's what they did. Who could possibly fill such big shoes? I'm sorry to say that I didn't even try to find out - I just assumed they weren't as good anymore.

Then a friend gave me their 2004 CD "Norfolk Coast". It was a strong effort, and about 2/3rd's of a good album. I was intrigued enough to buy the next one myself. "Suite XVI" is their 16th studio album and 100% fantastic - no bad songs.

All the signature sounds are here. The 3 remaining original members have never been better. Before I mention the others, I want to single out Dave Greenfield. If you play keyboards or enjoy listening to them, you simply must acquaint yourself with this master. His playing is as integral to the Stranglers sound as Ray Manzarek's was to the Doors. There's no imagining these pieces without him. With 30-odd years experience, I think he's become the number one greatest rock keyboardist of all time. Bar none. No one can touch him. As for the other two, Jean Jacques Burnel's bass is typically forceful, and Jet Black pounds the drums with youthful vigor. Burnel sings more than he used to, and shares vocal responsibilities with snarling Cornwell sound-a-like (and new recruit) Baz Warne. Warne is guitarist, too. Both sound terrific, and the songs are first rate.

The Stranglers may have started as a punk band, but they soon became more than that. As the years progressed they became as polished as Roxy Music, and amassed more British and European hit singles than any of their contemporaries. To chart their evolution, look into their "greatest hits" CD "Peaches". "Suite XVI" features a nice balance of songs - some fast and punky, and others more smooth and slow.

I still can't get over how good it is. If you're an old fan who lost track and gave up on them - trust me, you need to have this. If you're a newcomer, check this out - and then buy their first 6 albums!

Ok! Norfolk Coast had alot of great moments and I was soooo happy to see one of my favorite bands go back to the dirty bass playing of their first 5 albums, crazy keyboards that used to dominate their songs...just think No More Heroes, Raven, etc......Well here we are in 2006 and we have Suite XVI what do I think? This is an album that stands up against any of their early work NO PROBLEM!..Hey I even like there early 80's stuff so there. Gone is Paul Roberts and back to the 4 piece lineup of yesterday. Vocals were scrapped months prior to the release and here you have Baz (ex Toy Dolls) and JJ splitting the vocal duties and you know what, this is most inspired, articulate, musical effort that The Stranglers have put out since The Raven. Hands down. Oh did I mention that I love their early 80's stuff too? Golden Brown is one of my favorite songs....ever. It's just the nasty bass sound and the swirling keyboards that sway me back over, get this!
Kennyhel77

The Stranglers' recording career got off to an incredible start in the late 70s but from the early 80s on they seem to release one sleepwalking album after another. However, for this and "Norfolk Coast", the Stranglers have recaptured most of their 77/78 glory! For those of you waiting for "No More Heroes II" for the last 30 years wait no more! It's FINALLY here! This is why 77-philes fell in luv with the Stranglers in the first place: a deep throbbing bass that's louder than anything else, keyboards gone wild, spitting gruff baratone vocals (from new guitarist Baz Warne) and "we-don't-give-a-f__K" lyrics! Best songs: "unbroaken", "slipping away", "see me comming", "Barbra" and "relentless".

The Stranglers toured Norfolk Coast down here a couple of years ago and completely blew me away. I bought the album at the gig and it stayed in my CD player for 6 weeks straight. It was a revelation from start to finish.
Hearing that Paul Roberts had departed made me a little skeptical but I thought I would dive in anyway and I'm glad I did. Whilst it doesn't really have anything that stands out as much as the better tracks on Norfolk Coast [the title track, Big Thing Coming] it is a consistently good effort. On first listen I thought it was OK but after only a couple of listens I found myself wandering around the office with different songs stuck in my head.
This album is far more hard rock than punk, although A Soldier's Diary possibly sounds more punk than anything they ever did in the 70's and Summat Ouotanowt could almost be an out-take from Black and White. What really amazed me was that, if I didn't know he had left, I would have assumed it was Paul Roberts singing most of the time. I think it must be Baz Warne who has a similar voice, with JJ doing the screaming punk vocals where appropriate [but I could have it backwards]. Some of the lyrics are quite funny, albeit in a fart joke kind of way.
On the downside, there are some pretty average songs, as there were on Norfolk Coast, and Dave Greenfield's keys are a lot more conservative [too much organ for my liking] and the funny lyrics are just silly in places.
That said, I quite like this album but I have to register my surprise at the other reviews. I think Norfolk Coast is a much better album but this is a strong follow-up nonetheless.

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.

The Men in Black are truly back!

Their recent downsizing back to a four-piece has been a blessing. This sixteenth album of theirs is simply their best effort since Hugh Cornwell left the band... and then some!

No, unfortunately there is no timeless track ala "Golden Brown" or "No More Heroes" to be found here. But for a band who have been around since the mid-70s the overall quality is impressive. The signature Stranglers sounds are all over this masterpiece. Great lyrics too.

This record is so good in fact, it ranks up there with their very best albums. A must have for all Stranglers fans.

Both old and young punks (and new wavers) should appreciate this collection of pop and punk rock.

If you lost track of the Stranglers in the 90s now is the time to come back. Give it 3 spins and you are either hooked or deaf.

My fave: the last track "Relentless"

I've been out of touch with the Stranglers for a long time, but when I heard Paul Roberts was out, figured I'd give the new one a whirl. I'm glad I did. This CD has power and guts that I thought the Stranglers had lost. This version of the band is excellent and the CD just reaches out and grabs you from the first. Have listened many times and my kids love it also. Even the mello songs are edgy-not soft sounding like some of the weaker Stranglers cuts. That's because the vocals of JJ and Baz are the best since the early days. Today's overrated overhyped new bands can't come close. This new Stranglers deserves to be heard. Rock on....

The Good
The group kicks things off with the guitar hook laden track "Unbroken." The sonic keyboard runs are also a force to be reckoned with here. "She's Slipping Away" continues the guitar/keyboard onslaught with lots of toe-tapping patterns. The melodic and slightly weathered vocals are just as catchy as the rhythms behind them. "Anything Can Happen" slows the tempo down to a crawl with whispery vocals and subtle guitar and drum work. The track has a trippy feel to it. Acoustic guitars and an infectious guitar run dominate the ironic ballad "Bless You (Save You, Spare You, Damn You)." A pulsing keyboard riff runs rampant over "A Soldiers Diary." The vocals are just as powerful and impactful. "I Hate You" deviates from The Stranglers post-punk formula by adding a country edge to it.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
Although this is The Stranglers 16th album, I must admit this is the first I've heard of them. By just listening to the opening track, you can instantly recognize that 70s British rock sound. The Stranglers keep that sound alive throughout the album. They've proven to me that age has not slowed them down one bit. Even if that sound is slowly melting away, there are still bands like The Stranglers keeping it alive, fresh, and interesting.