Stranglers - Review of Old Testament by the Stranglers

Yup, it's all there. All the official releases from their 1st 6 albums on UA + a few singles. Everything you remember from the heyday of the Stranglers from 77-82. Never really completely punk but somehow harder and nastier than what constituted punk back in the 70's & with David Greenfield's sophisticated Organ playing they managed (whether purposely or not) to set themselves apart from the maddening crowd in a World of their own.

All the Classics you would imagine are here 'No More Heroes', 'Get a Grip', 'Something Better Change' hey I could go on and on and on. They were a pretty prolific band on the singles front and this great compilation ends with some of their most successful stuff, which strangely enough was the most laid-back. 'Golden Brown' was one of those few records that crossed all genres. It played absolutely everywhere when it came out and could be taken as sinister or romantic, take your pick. Back in 77-78' the Strangler's were all about nasty reality which came over in their sexually charged lyrics & their 'Oi mate, shut your face' mentality. At least that's how they came across. Listening back on a lot of their older catalogue I'm impressed by J.J''s deep bass licks & just how threatening Hugh Cornwell's vocals could be.

This collection is packaged nicely in a fake antique book style cover. The lid folds off to reveal 4 discs with the track listings pretty much chronological I think. The big big bonus here for all you Stranglers fans (& if you're buying this comprehensive box then I should think you had better be a fan) is the splendid thick booklet that comes with it. Very informative and nicely researched reflecting everything you could possibly want to know about the band.

So all in all the best collection of early Stranglers available and a showcase for one of the most unique bands to appear from the Punk/Rock period of the late 70's.