So here goes;
Broadly speaking, the songs covered fall into 2 categories imho. The first type is where the artist(s) have attempted to do something different, putting new twists to some of the classics. On the second type we get various forum members showing off in their bedrooms doing note for note cover versions which, whilst being impressive, don’t hold as much interest for me. Ok lets go!
DUCHESS
Pleasant enough kick off to the album with (dare I say it?) female backing vocals. Could be wrong about this btw. No complaints but a fairly straight forward take on the original and there are better treats in store.
BEARCAGE
Hypnotic bass run compliments some fine guitar. Sounds like how Hugh might re-work the song with his 3 piece line up. Only the vocals disappoint otherwise this would be one of the highlights of the album.
ROK IT TO THE MOON
Now to one of the definite highlights. Even though this is a radical take on the original it still sounds very Stranglers in spirit - imagine if ‘Rok It’ was recorded during the MIB period with one of the Hairy Bikers doing a spoken vocal and then you might get some idea of what it sounds like. Totally weird and totally excellent at the same time. This track is dedicated to all forum members who aren’t twats apparently which is a shame because this will alienate a large section of the potential audience I’ll wager.
MEAN TO ME
Well this one ain’t a cover version, more of a re-mix. I was hoping for more as this is a song I love but after 3 minutes of listening to the intro on a continuous loop my interest was fading and the eventual introduction of the original song only lead to disappointment. The track finally evolves into ‘Silver Machine’ which perked me up somewhat and made me wonder what drugs were being taken, so it wasn’t all bad.
IN THE END
This is a very professional sounding note for note cover of the original. The singer sounds even more French than JJ but he does need a bit of oil for that guitar as it seems to be squeaking throughout the recording. Other than that, I can’t fault this and my advice to the vocalist is “You oughta join a tribute band mate!”
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
Inspiral Carpets play The Stranglers and it’s fucking brilliant! Also gets quite jazzy in places. One of my favourites in this selection of covers. Totally different from the original, good vocal and with a nice polished sound.
MIDNIGHT SUMMER DREAM
Musically this is fantastic, a great re-working of the original and even more laid back (if that’s possible). Like many of these covers the only real problem I have is with the vocals. Can’t really make my mind up about this one but it would have made a great instrumental. Also very cool how it eventually segues into the bass line from ‘Ships That Pass In The Night’. Another highlight.
STRANGE LITTLE GIRL
Heard this before and I think I described the vocals as “weird” at the time. Actually, following repeated listens I now quite like the style. Very close to the original in terms of structure but still a very enjoyable 2:38 minutes.
SECOND COMING
A very trippy take on the ‘Gospel’ track and I thought the bass line was from ‘Mony Mony’ at first. Another spoken vocal lets it down a little but overall an interesting version .Can’t get more enthusiastic than that at the moment unless someone rolls me a joint.
VALLEY OF THE BIRDS
I love this! I love the original anyhow so that’s probably why I’m so enthusiastic. It’s not massively different from the original but I really do like the vocal on this and I’m impressed by the overall sound. Possibly the best track imho. Top marks!
SOMETIMES
A difficult one to judge is this. Musically it’s quite enjoyable but the vocals need more bite. Sounds like it’s not finished. See me Laddie!
TANK
Ya know? I wish I could do summat like this, play Stranglers songs in my bedroom or garage. This is a DIY note for note cover of the original which as impressive as it is I have to deduct brownie points all the same for the originator not bringing summat new to the song. Is this by the late GazinCumbria btw?
NEVER SAY GOODBYE
Now, if I ever did get my arse into gear and attempted to recreate a Stranglers song at home it may possibly sound something like this ie fucking awful!
OUTSIDE TOKYO
This is a first! A 1960’s Cyberman providing vocals to a Stranglers criminally ignored classic. Once again, another example of a forum member demonstrating how good he is at playing and how bad he is at singing.
DREAMTIME
Superb! This is more like it! As I said at the start of the review the radical re-workings are the ones that tend to come over the best and this is a fine example. I’ve loved the tracks where I’ve had to try and guess the song before the lyrics kick in. Well done on this one and another highlight.
THROWN AWAY
I’ll be honest and tell you that on first listening to this track in my car that I was almost tempted to eject the CD and launch it out of the window to find an eternal resting place somewhere on the M1. However, after reading some of the positive comments regarding this particular cover I’ve found myself having to force myself to listen to it again. Try and imagine a particularly pissed up Stranglers fan listening to ‘Thrown Away’ on his headphones and singing along. Then imagine that someone has recorded his vocals and then got Mumford & Sons in to provide a backing track. Well, that’s what it’s like. Make your own mind up!
TIME TO DIE
Here we go! Time for another note for note (albeit nicely polished) cover version with “ouch!” another squeaky guitar! But this is better because we have a female on vocals which gives this track a new twist. Beautiful vocal it is too, best on the album! Enough said. Who is she btw?
GRIP
Musically this would make another great instrumental, good for a soundtrack somewhere and parts of it in a TV show theme maybe?. A respectable experiment but lets get rid of the vocals eh? Another one that I’m divided on at the moment.
TRAMP
Do you remember ‘The Gong Show’? Like a karaoke version of someone singing along to a poor quality demo.
NO MORE HEROES
And so to the finale! Meininblackinbrugge revisited innit? And that squeaky guitar has gone to Belguim too! Nowt wrong with this at all if ya like the Stranglers acoustic style stuff. Which I do.
Can you remember the inscription on the free ‘Choosey Susie’ single all those years ago? It went summat like “What Do You Expect For Nothing?”. Well, I reckon that would have been a great title for this album. No one involved with this project has made any money out of it, it’s all been done for fun and we have the end product for FREE! And! Just like the ‘Choosey Susie’ single we have some genuine quality music for nowt too.
To all those involved with these recordings - you have my maximum respect for putting this together. It’s been enjoyable (in most cases) for me to listen to the music and review this album. For those who haven’t given any feedback yet I urge you to do so otherwise who could blame the (piss) artists for thinking “why did we bother?”
To those who haven’t downloaded yet - go on! Give it a go! You might be pleasantly surprised and even if you’re not it won’t cost ya anything.
Finally, to anyone who may have issues with my ability as a reviewer, all I can really say is;
"WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR NOTHING?”
