The Stranglers
The Raven - United Artists 1979
Tracks: 1. Longships / 2. The Raven / 3. Dead Loss Angeles / 4. Ice / 5. Baroque Bordello / 6. Nuclear Device / 7. Shah Shah A Go Go / 8. Don't Bring Harry / 9. Duchess / 10. Meninblack / 11. Genetix / 12. Bear Cage* / 13. Fools Rush Out* / 14. N'Emmenes Pas Harry* / 15. Yellowcake UF6*
Comments:
I bought "The Raven" when the album was released in 1979. The Stranglers were played diligently in my circle at the time and I especially remember "No More Heroes" as a song of those days. I already knew the title track of "The Raven" from the radio and thought it was fantastic.
As I listened through the album, I was left with a sense of disappointment. In fact, it was only "The Raven" I really liked, and several songs felt like direct fill. But having invested in an album, of course you had to give it more chances and I did find qualities in several other tracks, although the album as a whole never really convinced me.
In addition to "The Raven", with the great keyboards themes, it was the singles "Duchess" and "Must Bring Harry", which suited my taste. The former is a fast and actually very catchy rocker, while the subdued "Bring Bring Harry" almost be labelled a ballad. Also "Ice" and "Baroque Bordello" were fine track that won with several listens.
Although The Stanglers were associated with the punk wave, there really isn't much punk about "The Raven", although some tracks are quite hard-hitting both musically and lyrically. The band members are/were much too skilled musicians to be authentic punkers.
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