Import remastered reissue of 1984 album that's out-of-print domestically. 19 tracks including eight bonus tracks, 'Here & There', 'In One Door', 'Head On The Line', 'Achilles Heel', 'Hot Club' (Riot Mix), 'Place De Vi... more »ctoires', 'Vladimir & The Beast' & 'Vladimir Goes To Havana'.« less
Import remastered reissue of 1984 album that's out-of-print domestically. 19 tracks including eight bonus tracks, 'Here & There', 'In One Door', 'Head On The Line', 'Achilles Heel', 'Hot Club' (Riot Mix), 'Place De Victoires', 'Vladimir & The Beast' & 'Vladimir Goes To Havana'.
CD Reviews
Hard to believe this is 20+ years old
Paul Kendall | Los Angeles | 02/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Guess I date myself when I say I'd listen to this CD all the time way back when.
The Strangler's poppier future was coming nicely into play with the release of Feline and was pretty much cemented into place with Aural Sculpture. Early Stranglers purists will scream sellout, I'd call it evolution. If the Stranglers were trying to capitalize on the 80s sound, they did it masterfully.
Wonderful pop tunes lurk all over. "Ice Queen" has a gloriously repetitive warbling that stays with you. Things don't skip a beat with the silky smooth "Skin Deep" and catchy "Let Me Down Easy", "No Mercy" and "Under the Name of Spain". Each and every track is a gem really in its own right, Hugh Cornwell's calm vocals add sparkle. A favorite CD of mine for those laid back moods.
Love them or hate them for their direction change and seemingly endless collection of greatest hits CDs, it's impossible to discount the charms of Aural Sculpture.
"
Gorgeous sonic spaces
D. Levy | New York, NY USA | 10/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's hard to believe that noone has reviewed this album until now. It's a *great* record! Interesting songs and awesome sound. The album title really says it: these songs are like aural sculptures. Play the record and stroll through the sculpture garden. Not really like any other Stranglers album, either!"
Stranglers Go Pop
Carl Mack | Palm Springs, CA United States | 06/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As an early fan of the Stranglers after Meninblack and Feline you have to admit if nothing else they keep it interesting and fresh. Actually this album is far superior to the rather bland and uneven "Dreamtime". Plenty of great cuts here. "Skin Deep" and "No Mercy" are perfectly crafted pop songs. "Let me down easy" a song about when your time is up is very comforting and a great ballad. Probably my favorite is "Laughing" a beatuiful ballad that really can touch you. Elsewhere there are plenty of revved up horn spiced pop gems so I think all in all the Stranglers did a very good job on this one"
Want the facts?
Gaylen Halbert | Weimar, California United States | 12/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are those who strongly prefer the Stranglers' early stuff and do not like Aural Sculpture or Dreamtime. Please include me amongst those who do not like the early stuff [which dominates "The Very Best of" CD] and much prefer this album and Dreamtime."
Aural Sculptures, perfect
Brian Zimmerman | San Diego | 02/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not a bad song in the entire album. This is a perfect pop rock album.
Stanglers started out as one of the best punk bands ever, then explored various styles, with this album as being one of the best, most polished professional pieces in their discography. Why they never rose to the top of the US charts I'll never know. They rightly have a large international following just about everywhere else.
If you like the mature sounds of the Damned, the Police, Killing Joke, etc., then you will either like this album or you are insane."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1