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Amazon.co.uk Review
Cruelly denied the Number One slot when an administrative cock-up at the UK chart returns office credited thousands of album sales to The Police, 1979's The Raven--now re-issued with bonus tracks--found tuneful toughnuts The Stranglers striding purposefully away from the faltering punk scene with a renewed artistic agenda and a head full of hard drugs. A new direction and an overhauled musical vocabulary (gone was the growly bass and the organ, in came futuristic keyboard sounds, odd time signatures, intricate arrangements and extended instrumental passages) The Raven--as perennially acknowledged by the band's large and dutifully black-garbed cult following--is The Stranglers magnum opus. From the epic title-track--a questing, valorous Norse saga adorned by Dave Greenfield's wuthering Artic synths and sung in breathless fashion by JJ Burnel--to the quirky prog-rock science of "Genetix" (on which former biochemist Hugh Cornwell got to show-off his knowledge of pioneering 19th-century Austrian geneticist Gregor Mendel). The Raven was--and remains--enthrallingly fresh, musically daring and downright ominous. Paranoia abounds--there's the grimly pretty (but rather hypocritical) anti-heroin lament "Don't Bring Harry" and the helium-inhaling vocal freakinessof "Meninblack", a portentous slab of psychedelic lethargy detailing the existence of a black-suited extraterrestrial mafia. But there's pop too--"Duchess" (a Top 20 UK hit later covered by My Life Story) and the doleful "Baroque Bordello", a song almost compassionate and empathic compared to the leerier lyricisations of old but also featuring a keyboard intro which seemed to be cribbed from--of all things--"Inchworm" from the Danny Kaye film Hans Christian Anderson. Blame the drugs? Whatever reason, The Raven is The Stranglers' finest achievement. --Kevin Maidment
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first STRANGLERS album I bought rather than borrowed. But where to start? Right at the beginning, I suppose.
(DEEP BREATH) I first saw them in 1980 at Leeds University during The Raven tour. Halfway through the set there was a power cut, so when they eventually returned to the stage, the band (like us) were Seriously Pissed Off and what should have been the remaining thirty minutes were thrashed out in less than twenty. I don't even think there was an encore, although that may be down to the don't-give-a-damn punk ethic of the times. But still I loved the gig and still I love the album. And here's why:
Following on from BLACK AND WHITE, 1979's THE RAVEN was like a breath of fresh air to my ears. The sound is more thoughtful and the instruments easier to differentiate and place, with a production designed to emphasise the gaps, so to speak, yet being far from spartan as a whole. And even though the theme of the album (Viking/Nordic symbolism) peters out after only two tracks, there's still a cohesion that insists you play these songs in order.
It's roughly 50/50 in the writing and performance stakes on THE RAVEN and at this point neither HUGH CORNWELL nor JEAN JACQUES BURNEL are significantly dominant or more accomplished than each other as songsmiths. But it doesn't matter anyway, because each song compliments the next and so on. Highlights include the title track, DEAD LOSS ANGELES, DON'T BRING HARRY (with a beautiful guitar solo), MENINBLACK and GENETIX (DAVE GREENFIELD providing his usual ought-to-belong-on-some-kind-of-creepy-register vocals). Even the bonus tracks are a delight, especially BEAR CAGE, a dinky little number with a typically flat (again, of the time) Cornwell delivery. Marvellous stuff.
And another point worth mentioning: after all these years, there's still nothing to compare in sound or texture to THE RAVEN (if you're in any doubt about that, just listen to the extraordinary SHAH SHAH A GO GO). Timeless? Maybe not. But unique? In spades.
So, a few reasons why the album is worth owning. You'll no doubt discover the rest for yourself.
Oh, and finally: In 1979 I was lucky enough to buy one of the first 10,000 copies of THE RAVEN featuring a 3D hologram stuck over the standard LP cover. So, what do I go and do? Needing some cash, I sell it to a schoolfriend for £[...], having played it to death and figuring that I'll buy another copy before too long. Of course, the utter stupidity of that decision only hits home a few weeks later when I'm in the Bradford branch of Boots the Chemist, face as long as a fallpipe, about to pay £[...] for the non-limited edition. Then, as I prepare to hand over the cash, another assistant walks up and asks if I'd I prefer a 3D copy, SHE THINKS THERE'S ONE LEFT IN THE BACK SOMEWHERE(!!!)
Confirmation in my book that there is indeed a God.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
(DEEP BREATH) I first saw them in 1980 at Leeds University during The Raven tour. Halfway through the set there was a power cut, so when they eventually returned to the stage, the band (like us) were Seriously Pissed Off and what should have been the remaining thirty minutes were thrashed out in less than twenty. I don't even think there was an encore, although that may be down to the don't-give-a-damn punk ethic of the times. But still I loved the gig and still I love the album. And here's why:
Following on from BLACK AND WHITE, 1979's THE RAVEN was like a breath of fresh air to my ears. The sound is more thoughtful and the instruments easier to differentiate and place, with a production designed to emphasise the gaps, so to speak, yet being far from spartan as a whole. And even though the theme of the album (Viking/Nordic symbolism) peters out after only two tracks, there's still a cohesion that insists you play these songs in order.
It's roughly 50/50 in the writing and performance stakes on THE RAVEN and at this point neither HUGH CORNWELL nor JEAN JACQUES BURNEL are significantly dominant or more accomplished than each other as songsmiths. But it doesn't matter anyway, because each song compliments the next and so on. Highlights include the title track, DEAD LOSS ANGELES, DON'T BRING HARRY (with a beautiful guitar solo), MENINBLACK and GENETIX (DAVE GREENFIELD providing his usual ought-to-belong-on-some-kind-of-creepy-register vocals). Even the bonus tracks are a delight, especially BEAR CAGE, a dinky little number with a typically flat (again, of the time) Cornwell delivery. Marvellous stuff.
And another point worth mentioning: after all these years, there's still nothing to compare in sound or texture to THE RAVEN (if you're in any doubt about that, just listen to the extraordinary SHAH SHAH A GO GO). Timeless? Maybe not. But unique? In spades.
So, a few reasons why the album is worth owning. You'll no doubt discover the rest for yourself.
Oh, and finally: In 1979 I was lucky enough to buy one of the first 10,000 copies of THE RAVEN featuring a 3D hologram stuck over the standard LP cover. So, what do I go and do? Needing some cash, I sell it to a schoolfriend for £[...], having played it to death and figuring that I'll buy another copy before too long. Of course, the utter stupidity of that decision only hits home a few weeks later when I'm in the Bradford branch of Boots the Chemist, face as long as a fallpipe, about to pay £[...] for the non-limited edition. Then, as I prepare to hand over the cash, another assistant walks up and asks if I'd I prefer a 3D copy, SHE THINKS THERE'S ONE LEFT IN THE BACK SOMEWHERE(!!!)
Confirmation in my book that there is indeed a God.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is the Stranglers finest hour. Following the fascinating 'Black & White' which highlighted two distinct and developing sides to the Stranglers music - the lighter, faster,melody flooded White side with the darker, slower, spikier more challenging Black, this LP kind of mixed the both into a wonderful collection of intelligent songs that still entrance, intrigue and envelop you 22 years later. Gone are the naive, 'notice me' brutal lyrics of the early songs, seceded by an international theme born of tours beyond bristol, bolton and birmingham. Here each of the four players dance with and around each other in musical games - each offering different parts that somehow complement to add to a gorgeous whole on tracks like Genetix, Baroque Bordello and Ice. Many of the songs feature very strong, very intelligent opening instrumental passages that never over stay their welcome but transform into a seemingly separate song in an instant - 'shah shah a go-go' is a perfect example. The drum patterns are very inventive too and add to the layered, textured feel of a lot of the tracks. And then there is " the Raven' - the title track and 5 minutes and 12 seconds of perfection. The sectional approach to the song, the bleak romanticism of the lyrics, the interplay of keyboard and guitar, the driving bass and the final ethereal, swirling last minute of synthesizer magic evoking the flight of 'the Raven' is just breathtaking at loud volume. This is The Stranglers' masterpiece.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
THIS AWESOME ALBUM BY THE STRANGLERS ARE A BAND AT THE PEAK OF THERE POWERS ,WHEN IT CAME OUT IN 79 I WAS ALMOST 13 AND STILL A PUNK MAN.AROUND THIS TIME THE STRANGLERS WERE EVERYWHERE SEEING THEM PERFORM DUCHESS AND HARRY ON TOTP WERE MAJOR MOMENTS IN TIME FOR ME ID BOUGHT THE DUCHESS 7INCH WITH THE SUPERB FOOLS RUSH OUT B-SIDE THEN GOT NUCLEAR DEVICE IN A BARGAIN BUCKET IN WOOLWORTHS ITS MY FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE ALBUM AND THE ONE WHICH PERFORMED THE WORST CHARTWISE,ANYWAY WHEN THE ALBUM CAME OUT I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET THE RARE 3D COVER WHICH I STILL HAVE UP IN MY ATTIC, EVERY TRACK IS GREAT SHAH SHAH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SINGLE BUT ITS THEME STOPPED IT I DIDNT KNOW WHO THE SHAH OF IRAN WAS BUT I DIDNT CARE ...THE REMASTERED CD WITH THE BONUS MAKES IT STILL SOUND FRESH..THEY WERE NEVER AS GOOD AGAIN EVEN THOUGH GOLDEN BROWN AND STRANGE LITTLE GIRL PERFORMED WELL ON THE CHARTS....THIS LP IS THE BIZ..BUY IT SIT BACK AND REMEMBER......NOW WHERE IS THAT LADDER I NEED TO GET TO THE ATTIC THE 3D ORIGINAL COVER IS GOING FOR A FORTUNE ON EBAY.....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Raven
The Stranglers were probably the most musical of punk bands and this album typified that. Most of the instrumental sections (and there are quite a lot on here) are just wonderful... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Stalker
Quintessential Stranglers
Without a doubt the best album created by the original Stranglers blending JJ and Hugh lyrical ability with their best pairings of bass and keyboard . Read more
Published 7 months ago by tubthumper66
stranglers the raven cd
i have to say i agree with the bad reviews on this cd had to have it for my collection but must say not to my liking at all
Published 23 months ago by Christine Mitchem
The best!
This is the best sounding stranglers album ever!
It's so perfect! bass is ace, drums are powerful & deep, synths are amazing, guitars are top! Read more
It's so perfect! bass is ace, drums are powerful & deep, synths are amazing, guitars are top! Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2010 by PhilthyPhil
A timeless masterpiece
This is the album which showed The Stranglers to be a different proposition to their more acclaimed punk contemporaries. Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by Dan Smolenski
Breathtaking and original
The Stranglers made so many fine albums that it's impossible to single one out as being their definitive effort. 'The Raven' is certainly my favourite, though. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2007 by D. J. H. Thorn
the raven - stranglers
i should nt really moan about this band , after all most punk, and bands that came out of punk could only manage one maybe two classic albums (stiff little fingers , clash ,... Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2007 by M. Baker
stranglers classic
this is a great stranglers album, i would have give it five stars but i dont think all the songs on here are great. but obviously, i had to give it four stars! AT LEAST. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2007 by John Wilkinson
Stupendous!
I don't want to add much to the excellent reviews here, but I just wanted to say that this is the best Stranglers album and is quite simply a classic. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2004 by Cam
The Best Stranglers album
Without a doubt, this is the greatest album recorded by the Stranglers. It was the first of their albums I had heard. Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2003
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