Search - Stranglers :: About Time

Resurgent Stranglers put the DeSalvo grip back on UK Pop.

Steven Cappello | Eastern Oregon, USA | 04/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alright....if you're still pining for the "salad days of yore" of the band with Hugh Cornwell, JJ's hard-edged Rotosound twang bass, and sneering misogynist lyrics, you'll leave here empty-handed. BUT--if you can imagine (and comprehend) the musical evolution of a band with 2 new(er) members with something vital to contribute, your CD player will be knocked off its optic nerve here. Virtually all cuts are standouts (esp. 'Lucky Finger, 'Golden Boy', 'Lies & Deception', and 'Paradise Row'), with an arrogant sophistication and swagger that continues the Stranglers' legacy. This effort emphatically buries the much-lauded "new generation" Stranglers' 1993 effort, 'In The Night'! Frontman Paul Roberts carries the torch with competent crooning and an eerie, groovy pathos worthy of Dave Vanian any day. Jet Black, Dave Greenfield, and JJ Burnel (a softer, less self-aggrandizing sound)all showed up for this one. The stoccato string quartet opening on 'Still Life' is breathtaking. Pop-smart, well-arranged, and mood-slinging.....with careful arrangements which conjure the flavor of every decade from 1960 to present. I've seen some alarmingly poor reviews of this album--but they're usually from folks with only a cursory knowledge or (doubtful) appreciation of this very important band's work....which continues to be vital. Get their early stuff--but get this, too--it's the best since 'DreamTime'-Some of the post-"Raven" songwriting tapestry is still evident--and still enough to crush all wanna-be malevolent college radio upstarts in their savvy wake. Jump in with both feet and without sour, pre-existing bias."

Another fine release

12/11/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"ABOUT TIME finds the Stranglers expanding the palette of aural sculpture the band developed during the later years of Hugh Cornwell's membership. Paul Roberts, Hugh's replacement as vocalist, sounds a little like Dave Vanian crossed with Hugh. This results in vocals more compelling than either Dave or Hugh have committed to record. Guitarist John Ellis far surpasses Cornwell as a technician. His style encompasses everything from spaghetti western to punk. The songs here are well-crafted, exquisitely-executed punk-pop. Anyone who gave up on the Stranglers when Hugh left should give ABOUT TIME a listen. I say that as a fan of both the Stranglers and Hugh Cornwell the solo artist."

They could do much better!

P. Farnsworth | Metairie, LA USA | 03/28/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"About Time shows the Stranglers doing what their most infair critics have accused them of doing ever since Hugh Cornwell left the band and was replaced by John Ellis and Hugh Cornwell. Being a boring rock band! First of all, what is all of this slashing of the bands '93 'comeback' album, "In The Night". No, it wasn;t a "Rattus" or a "Aural Sculpture" but it contained some great songs(Three of which, 'Heaven and Hell', 'This Town', and 'Time To Die' compete for best Stranglers Songs ever) and had a fine coherent Euro-rock atmosphere that showcased what a 20+ year old band should be, classy songwriting and professionalism. If they had built on that, "About Time" could've been the classic that some of the Stranglers cult say it is, but they fell into the trap of trying to be young and rockin' again and for the most part they fall flat on their Face(pun intended). 'And the Boat Sails By' and 'Lies and Deception' capture the "In The Night" fibe well and are the best songs on the album, while 'Money' and 'Still Life' are good post-60s psycledelic rock, but the rest just lacks the style and sense of songcraft and melody, and even sexual tension which have been a Stranglers hallmark. Luckily, they got back to form on their '97 release "Written in Red", which is the best post-Hugh release in my opinion. But for this, only the completist need apply."