I was living in the UK when The Stranglers released their debut album RATTUS NORVEGICUS. One of the biggest selling singles in the Summer of 1977 was "Peaches" which reached no. 8 on the UK charts.
Fast forward 7 years, and I was living in suburban Brisbane trying to survive as a penniless art student. It was very comforting to have the sound of The Stranglers on the radio, connecting me back to my roots, giving me a sense of belonging during a period of family upheaval.
AURAL SCULPTURE saw the band mellow from Punk/New Wave pioneers to purveyors of polished pop. The hit single "Skin Deep" is based around a hypnotic keyboard riff, rhythmic percussion, a chiming guitar and driving backbeat. Hugh Cornwell's almost spoken word vocal style is juxtaposed with the bands soaring backing vocals.
Three successful singles were released from the album, gaining the band further popularity in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Of course, I couldn't afford to buy AURAL SCULPTURE until I completed college, but I did manage to get my hands on a cassette copy from a student in the year below me. Stephen (also from the UK) and I shared a great friendship for many years based on our mutual appreciation of The Stranglers. Stephen was a wealth of knowledge and entertained me for hours with his stories, record collection and his array of The Stranglers memorabilia.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Last year I took my boys to see The Stranglers at The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane. Frontman Baz Warne, Jean-Jacques Burnel and the band were in mighty fine form, they even impressed the youngsters! :)
SINGLES:
"Skin Deep"
"No Mercy"
"Let Me Down Easy"