this is a great Stranglers album , their peak of their post-punk phase, you need also the one before this album and the one after, their first two albums were more punk, rougher, and their later albums kinda new wave more easy listening, but this is still full of weird time signatures, political subject matter, pounding rythms and ferocious playing, specially bass playing
The Stranglers have always been my favourite band and The Raven is a fantastic album. In the 80's their music mellowed a bit but their last 3 albums have been a bit of a return to the old Stranglers sound. Would highly recommend a listen to the Norfolk Coast, Suite 16 and Giants albums
Thanks for reminding me of this record. Saw them touring the album at Wembley in '79, supporting The Who and AC/DC and I thought before we went it might be a miss-match in the line-up but they were accomplished and good live......
nice review John - couple of points; it’s Burnel not Brunel (!) and you slightly discounted the music on Genetix? Suggest you give that one another listen!!
In Dead Loss Angeles Hugh plays also a second Bassguitar to a great darker effect on the sound. At the same time also J.J. and Hugh brought out their solo albums Euroman Comet(J.J.Burnel) and Nosferatu(Hugh Cornwell).Great and innovative Music that fits perfectly to The Raven.
I have that 3D cover! Saved up my pennies to buy a secondhand copy from our local record shop in the late 80s when I was a teen. Still love the album today, one of my favourites along with Black and White. Great review, thank you.
Great review John I used to have this album on 3d .... I sadly sold it. But It was the first time I saw them live with my mate when this Album came out. I've been into the stranglers ever since 1977 when I bought their second album No More Hero's. Infact I have the first 8 albums on vinyl (yes I still have the Raven on the original cover) Me and my mate have mixed views on the album, I think it's brilliant and innovative, where as my mate feels that some of the tracks don't live up to their first three Albums. The we do agree that Black & White is their best album to date. Infact the first 6 Albums are my favourite (the 5th being Live X-certs) I have all the first six albums on cd aswell they're the best work the stranglers did in my opinion. Oh and my favourite track on the Raven is Genetix with Dave Greenfield sinister vocals and Jet blacks Awesome drumming (it's the song Jet drums to now when he dies come on a live gig) .... The Men in black album is great too
Raven was released as a single with Longships as the B-side. Shah Shah A Go Go was a 12" single with Bear Cage as the other side. Bought my copy with the withdrawn sleeve and 3d sleeve when it came out at 14!
Good review mate. Got this on 3D when I was 15 and didn't think much of Genetix until I was into my 30s. It is amazing as you have 4 near solo musical performances which all come together as one somehow.
My favourite album of all time. I personally think Genetix offers a lot musically, for me it gives and gives, and is in my top 5 Stranglers songs.. Good review sir :0)
I've still got the 3D album squirreled away was one of my first agree with you - the reviewer missed a trick with Genetix way way before it's time and an absolute stand out track musically it is still awesome.
Yeah I think for many 'Genetix' was THE highpoint ...where it breaks into the 'keyboard riff' before JJs bass kicks in & the 'Gene regulation' refrain really is epic.
Another great album review, I love the 76/79 music period with punk, new wave and Bowie ! The Stranglers stood out during this period with their punk attitude ( although like you say not a punk band)
How can you say Genetix doesn't do anything musically , for a start its complicated with different time signatures , Dave Greenfields vocals are great and JJs Bass soloing is mind blowing , as a Stranglers fan its their best track ever IMO.
Funny its my favourite LP by the Stranglers , they re released a limited double LP of the Raven in 2016 in red vinyl , some bonus tracks and different art work , I had to have one No.578 , I think they may have re released Rattus Norvegicus as well , don't take my word for it could of been a dream.
Another good review. Must admit never bought any of the stranglers albums but like some of their singles. Golden brown,peaches and always the sun spring to mind. Would get the raven on the back of this review.
The Raven was undoubtedly the band's highest point creatively, musically and stylistically. The Raven album with its innovative sound and imagery, still feels fresh and contemporary to this day.
Hi John.. great review.. must say I have a soft spot for the stranglers, went to see them live a few times in the late 70's , and I have to say they we're a great live band full of energy, I only have there first three albums which are great ... will be checking out the raven... thanks Alan.
The 2nd Lp of the Stranglers that I owned, the 1st being black & white both great lp's. The Raven was fantastic & black & white was a superb warm up too it. Many stranglers fans would say this was the band at their musical peak and I would agree to that. Both albums produced some stunning music and songs that live on in Stranglers folklore. Good review but " Genetix " is legend with Stranglers fans the track is musical class and Burnel's bass playing on it is stunning. The Stranglers 1st 4 Lp's cemented the band into musical history they where never a punk band far too musical but they had a much better attitude to punk than the rest of the punk bands at the time...
Short Track for Longships ... exquisite minute and a bit and a rare instumental from the MiB ... you're right it does set the tone nicely. Gospel ...' is unique amonst stranglers albums in as much as it's a one theme concept album, listen out for the UFO landing and taking off and another instrumental to be found. Be great to hear you thoughts on that one
It's not as hard hitting as Black and White, or even the first two albums, but fascinating nevertheless in a restrained kind of way. You can hear a lot of 'Low' and even Joy Division in some parts. I think Stone Roses were influenced pretty much by this record. Totally agree about JJ Burnel's bass playing and the keyboards of the recently departed Dave Greenfield (RIP)
I used to have the 3D cover of The Raven be the Stranglers but sadly sold it , needed the cash at the time , though l still have the traditional version . I think the first 5 albums by the Stranglers are the best after that l went off them . When the Raven came out it was one of the first gigs l went to though with my mate . I really like the album
Good review but disagree with the comment of Genetix not being of much interest musically. Some wonderful and innovative bass playing In the second half.
Peter Green yes I have since discovered their obscurer tracks and I was wrong to prematurely dismiss them....the men in black album is very interesting!
I've recently rediscovered the Stranglers discography because of Dave Greenfield's passing away. Man... What a great band ! They were interesting and consistent for almost ten years. From Rattus up to, let's say Dreamtime, they could do no wrong. I consider them to be the greatest british band, if you set apart the Beatles, Queen and Led Zep whose huge worldwide success had them cast into another category, not anymore genuinely british. Btw, I consider the Gospel as being as good as anything they've ever done. Really.
The creative peak (album wise) thereafter it was downhill. Their managers told them to split but they carried on (they wanted Burnel and Cornwell to start a new band). Years later Hugh realised their management were correct. The irony was that Hugh wrote the b side of duchess called 'fools rush out' slagging their management for walking out. Still had some great songs after 79 and were always a brilliant band live. The Raven would have reached number 1 but the chart compilers credit thousands of sales to regatta de blanc by the police.
Simply The Stranglers were too good for their peers of the day . Progressive Punk more in line with Hawkwind , Van Der Graaf , Peter Hammill's KGroup , John Cale , The Doors than The Adverts or The Clash , Obviously The Stranglers were just miles ahead ... The Fans Knew It , Their Peers Hated Them For It , jealousy & competition . I'd say Magazine , Ultravox! and then The Damned as they grew were also outside that Shameful "Punk Has To Be Crappy" Ideology that I've always hated ... The Ruts , Elvis Costello , Ian Dury there were so many fantastic English Bands at that time ... incredible!!
It seems whenever a Punk band is good people always say they aren't really Punk. In LA at the early Punk shows there was a wide variety of bands and types of sounds. The Screamers didn't even have guitars.
Was there really only 20,000 copies of the 3D sleeve ?.as I didnt 'rush out to buy it' but saw it in a local electrical retailers/ record store & in a 'big cash splurge' (for a 14 year old) bought it & picture disc lp of Devo 'are we not men' ...
Love this album. Best line in the video, "Cliff Richard objected so the BBC banned it". Nothing much has changed there then, lol; still the bourgeois liberal arbiters of the nations conscience. Thanks for the review ;)
The ode to /celebration/ warning that is 'Harry'( like 'Golden Brown') was oblique enough to pass through...one problem with 'Duchess ' was its connection to Princess Margaret.. "& the Rodney's are queing up, God forbid' ..I thought there was a clip of Duchess shown on 'national TV' - anyone know for sure??
@SynthMusicFan 501 I'm not sure if that is actually true - I can remember reading in the music press ,but there wasn't much 'real information' with the story ...so I thought it may have been a bit of 'punky credibility promotional' from the Stranglers information Service. As videos & songs used to get 'pulled' after theyve been viewed & somebody's reacted e.g. Frankie goes to Hollywood 'relax ' or Prodigy 'firestarter'.....the band weren't front page news & its hard to see how some higher up in the C of E could or would 'ban' something he hadn't seen or heard ? - & the band were allowed to film it - and there's nothing 'sacrilegious' or offensive in it....
@SynthMusicFan 501 it's possible, but if it did 'get banned ' of course its possible that 'someone from their management ' may have put a few calls in about 'these punk rockers' with songs like 'bring on the nubiles','peaches' & their strippers on stage at the outdoors Battersea gig. etc ,as a few bands found - 'being banned' isn't all bad....I guess we may never know - Were you a fan of the band ? . I think their debut lp really stands up next to anything released at the time . Only got to see em after 80/ 81 - but they were still a good live band -
@SynthMusicFan 501 I thought they did some decent lps in the 80s ' La Folie' ,'Feline' , but the last 'Hugh lp' '10 /Ten?' was pretty awful . I don't know what they did after that . If they had split then( or sooner) I think 'the various medias' would regard them as a classic band . If I met JJ I think I'd ask him 'How did you get that bass sound'? ... you recognise it in a second .
The video was banned by the BBC for being Blasphemous. It was filmed in a Old Church and in 1979 that was deemed unacceptable. It might seem strange but around the same time Monty Pythons Life of Brian was also being banned from cinemas for the same reason. Hope that clears the issue up.
The Stranglers, Pure Class, always will be.
Amongst my favourite albums of all time too. for me, Dave Greenfield invented synth pop on this album.
this is a great Stranglers album , their peak of their post-punk phase, you need also the one before this album and the one after, their first two albums were more punk, rougher, and their later albums kinda new wave more easy listening, but this is still full of weird time signatures, political subject matter, pounding rythms and ferocious playing, specially bass playing
The Stranglers have always been my favourite band and The Raven is a fantastic album. In the 80's their music mellowed a bit but their last 3 albums have been a bit of a return to the old Stranglers sound. Would highly recommend a listen to the Norfolk Coast, Suite 16 and Giants albums
nexta nivag thanks for your comment!
Thanks for reminding me of this record. Saw them touring the album at Wembley in '79, supporting The Who and AC/DC and I thought before we went it might be a miss-match in the line-up but they were accomplished and good live......
Excellent review John... give 'Genetix' another couple of spins. It's the best track.
nice review John - couple of points; it’s Burnel not Brunel (!) and you slightly discounted the music on Genetix? Suggest you give that one another listen!!
Ian Collins thanks Ian sorry! Will do
Specifically, that great bass solo by Burnell at the end of "Genetix". And don't forget, already written in 1979!
In Dead Loss Angeles Hugh plays also a second Bassguitar to a great darker effect on the sound. At the same time also J.J. and Hugh brought out their solo albums Euroman Comet(J.J.Burnel) and Nosferatu(Hugh Cornwell).Great and innovative Music that fits perfectly to The Raven.
I have that 3D cover! Saved up my pennies to buy a secondhand copy from our local record shop in the late 80s when I was a teen. Still love the album today, one of my favourites along with Black and White. Great review, thank you.
Great review John I used to have this album on 3d .... I sadly sold it. But It was the first time I saw them live with my mate when this Album came out.
I've been into the stranglers ever since 1977 when I bought their second album No More Hero's. Infact I have the first 8 albums on vinyl (yes I still have the Raven on the original cover)
Me and my mate have mixed views on the album, I think it's brilliant and innovative, where as my mate feels that some of the tracks don't live up to their first three Albums. The we do agree that Black & White is their best album to date. Infact the first 6 Albums are my favourite (the 5th being Live X-certs)
I have all the first six albums on cd aswell they're the best work the stranglers did in my opinion. Oh and my favourite track on the Raven is Genetix with Dave Greenfield sinister vocals and Jet blacks Awesome drumming (it's the song Jet drums to now when he dies come on a live gig) ....
The Men in black album is great too
Raven was released as a single with Longships as the B-side.
Shah Shah A Go Go was a 12" single with Bear Cage as the other side.
Bought my copy with the withdrawn sleeve and 3d sleeve when it came out at 14!
The Raven was never released as a single, to the best of my knowledge.
The Raven was released as a single in the USA in 1980 with Duchess, double a side I think.
Good review mate. Got this on 3D when I was 15 and didn't think much of Genetix until I was into my 30s. It is amazing as you have 4 near solo musical performances which all come together as one somehow.
My favourite album of all time. I personally think Genetix offers a lot musically, for me it gives and gives, and is in my top 5 Stranglers songs.. Good review sir :0)
genetix is the most musical song on the album,, haha,,masterpiece.
Genetix is their crowning achievement... most inspiringly kick-ass bass solo crescendo rock out orgasmatronic awesomeness evs
I've still got the 3D album squirreled away was one of my first agree with you - the reviewer missed a trick with Genetix way way before it's time and an absolute stand out track musically it is still awesome.
Yes he's pretty much written off Genetix. Cracking track.
Yeah I think for many 'Genetix' was THE highpoint ...where it breaks into the 'keyboard riff' before JJs bass kicks in & the 'Gene regulation' refrain really is epic.
Another great album review, I love the 76/79 music period with punk, new wave and Bowie ! The Stranglers stood out during this period with their punk attitude ( although like you say not a punk band)
Thanks!
How can you say Genetix doesn't do anything musically , for a start its complicated with different time signatures , Dave Greenfields vocals are great and JJs Bass soloing is mind blowing , as a Stranglers fan its their best track ever IMO.
Pat Bassman that track has grown on me since I did this...I hadn’t really given it a chance I don’t think...sorry
Funny its my favourite LP by the Stranglers , they re released a limited double LP of the Raven in 2016 in red vinyl , some bonus tracks and different art work , I had to have one No.578 , I think they may have re released Rattus Norvegicus as well , don't take my word for it could of been a dream.
Another good review. Must admit never bought any of the stranglers albums but like some of their singles. Golden brown,peaches and always the sun spring to mind. Would get the raven on the back of this review.
Thanks Mathew. Hope you like it.
The Raven was undoubtedly the band's highest point creatively, musically and stylistically. The Raven album with its innovative sound and imagery, still feels fresh and contemporary to this day.
I'm totally clueless with this one, John, but your review was informative and interesting per usual. A lovely background to boot!
Thanks David...not sure whether the Stranglers made much of a mark in the US...worth checking out me thinks!
Hi John.. great review.. must say I have a soft spot for the stranglers, went to see them live a few times in the late 70's , and I have to say they we're a great live band full of energy, I only have there first three albums which are great ... will be checking out the raven... thanks Alan.
Thanks Alan!
The 2nd Lp of the Stranglers that I owned, the 1st being black & white both great lp's. The Raven was fantastic & black & white was a superb warm up too it. Many stranglers fans would say this was the band at their musical peak and I would agree to that. Both albums produced some stunning music and songs that live on in Stranglers folklore. Good review but " Genetix " is legend with Stranglers fans the track is musical class and Burnel's bass playing on it is stunning. The Stranglers 1st 4 Lp's cemented the band into musical history they where never a punk band far too musical but they had a much better attitude to punk than the rest of the punk bands at the time...
Short Track for Longships ... exquisite minute and a bit and a rare instumental from the MiB ... you're right it does set the tone nicely. Gospel ...' is unique amonst stranglers albums in as much as it's a one theme concept album, listen out for the UFO landing and taking off and another instrumental to be found. Be great to hear you thoughts on that one
It's not as hard hitting as Black and White, or even the first two albums, but fascinating nevertheless in a restrained kind of way. You can hear a lot of 'Low' and even Joy Division in some parts. I think Stone Roses were influenced pretty much by this record. Totally agree about JJ Burnel's bass playing and the keyboards of the recently departed Dave Greenfield (RIP)
I used to have the 3D cover of The Raven be the Stranglers but sadly sold it , needed the cash at the time , though l still have the traditional version . I think the first 5 albums by the Stranglers are the best after that l went off them . When the Raven came out it was one of the first gigs l went to though with my mate . I really like the album
Good review but disagree with the comment of Genetix not being of much interest musically. Some wonderful and innovative bass playing In the second half.
Peter Green yes I have since discovered their obscurer tracks and I was wrong to prematurely dismiss them....the men in black album is very interesting!
I've recently rediscovered the Stranglers discography because of Dave Greenfield's passing away. Man... What a great band ! They were interesting and consistent for almost ten years. From Rattus up to, let's say Dreamtime, they could do no wrong. I consider them to be the greatest british band, if you set apart the Beatles, Queen and Led Zep whose huge worldwide success had them cast into another category, not anymore genuinely british.
Btw, I consider the Gospel as being as good as anything they've ever done. Really.
Lucky to get it. I'm jealous lol. My daughter bought me the CD for xmas 2020.....RIP Dave Greenfield!!
The creative peak (album wise) thereafter it was downhill. Their managers told them to split but they carried on (they wanted Burnel and Cornwell to start a new band). Years later Hugh realised their management were correct. The irony was that Hugh wrote the b side of duchess called 'fools rush out' slagging their management for walking out. Still had some great songs after 79 and were always a brilliant band live. The Raven would have reached number 1 but the chart compilers credit thousands of sales to regatta de blanc by the police.
Men in black is a great album, takes a few listens mind but some of the stranglers most creative material. Great band! Top review John
Thanks...will check it out
Genetix rocks with a great JJ bass solo at the end .
Check the bass cover on youtube of genetix to appreciate its musicallity, great review by the way.
Simply The Stranglers were too good for their peers of the day . Progressive Punk more in line with Hawkwind , Van Der Graaf , Peter Hammill's KGroup , John Cale , The Doors than The Adverts or The Clash , Obviously The Stranglers were just miles ahead ... The Fans Knew It , Their Peers Hated Them For It , jealousy & competition . I'd say Magazine , Ultravox! and then The Damned as they grew were also outside that Shameful "Punk Has To Be Crappy" Ideology that I've always hated ... The Ruts , Elvis Costello , Ian Dury there were so many fantastic English Bands at that time ... incredible!!
Thanks Daevid...i agree with you! Jealousy is a terrible thing.
Really, really enjoyed this post.😊
It seems whenever a Punk band is good people always say they aren't really Punk. In LA at the early Punk shows there was a wide variety of bands and types of sounds. The Screamers didn't even have guitars.
Vinyl Richie thanks for your comment
Neither did the original Human League and they definitely considered themselves "punk"..... whatever that means!
Can't believe you just dismiss Genetix?? It is a master class bass playing and rhythm
Was there really only 20,000 copies of the 3D sleeve ?.as I didnt 'rush out to buy it' but saw it in a local electrical retailers/ record store & in a 'big cash splurge' (for a 14 year old) bought it & picture disc lp of Devo 'are we not men' ...
Something you might not know is that ice is a type of amphetamine mainly used used on Hawaii
I have the North American version of this lp which is called IV. One side is completely different than the uk version.
daddysensei Silver interesting....cheers
Isn't IV the first album Rattus Norvegicus.
+Vinyl Richie in 1977 yes. But in 1980, they released another album titled IV which is this revised version of The Raven.
Vinyl Richie seems to have the same cover but trackwise is a mixture...few tracks from the raven etc
+John Heaton my Raven aka IV, has five songs from the uk Raven.
Love this album. Best line in the video, "Cliff Richard objected so the BBC banned it". Nothing much has changed there then, lol; still the bourgeois liberal arbiters of the nations conscience. Thanks for the review ;)
The ode to /celebration/ warning that is 'Harry'( like 'Golden Brown') was oblique enough to pass through...one problem with 'Duchess ' was its connection
to Princess Margaret.. "& the Rodney's are queing up, God forbid' ..I thought there was a clip of Duchess shown on 'national TV' - anyone know for sure??
@SynthMusicFan 501 I'm not sure if that is actually true - I can remember reading in the music press ,but there wasn't much 'real information' with the story ...so I thought it may have been a bit of 'punky credibility promotional' from the Stranglers information Service.
As videos & songs used to get 'pulled' after theyve been viewed & somebody's reacted e.g. Frankie goes to Hollywood 'relax ' or Prodigy 'firestarter'.....the band weren't front page news & its hard to see how some higher up in the C of E could or would 'ban' something he hadn't seen or heard ? - & the band were allowed to film it - and there's nothing 'sacrilegious' or offensive in it....
@SynthMusicFan 501 it's possible, but if it did 'get banned ' of course its possible that 'someone from their management ' may have put a few calls in about 'these punk rockers' with songs like 'bring on the nubiles','peaches' & their strippers on stage at the outdoors Battersea gig. etc ,as a few bands found - 'being banned' isn't all bad....I guess we may never know -
Were you a fan of the band ? . I think their debut lp really stands up next to anything released at the time . Only got to see em after 80/ 81 - but they were still a good live band -
@SynthMusicFan 501 I thought they did some decent lps in the 80s ' La Folie' ,'Feline' , but the last 'Hugh lp' '10 /Ten?' was pretty awful . I don't know what they did after that . If they had split then( or sooner) I think 'the various medias' would regard them as a classic band .
If I met JJ I think I'd ask him 'How did you get that bass sound'? ... you recognise it in a second .
The video was banned by the BBC for being Blasphemous. It was filmed in a Old Church and in 1979 that was deemed unacceptable. It might seem strange but around the same time Monty Pythons Life of Brian was also being banned from cinemas for the same reason. Hope that clears the issue up.
Yes I had the 3D version
Tried Walk On By??
Yes I love it!
I’ll buy that!
Thanks!
Great!
Burnel not Brunel!