Stranglers - Suite XVI

Numbered, limited edition on gold & black marbled vinyl.
SUITE XVI, as the title suggests, became THE STRANGLERS' 16th studio album when it was released in September, 2006.

Like NORFOLK COAST two years before, it, too, was released via Liberty/EMI.It was significant in that during the recording, the band reverted to a four piece once more, with guitarist Baz WARNE stepping up to become co-front-man and lead vocalist for the first time, along with the three original members, bassist Jean Jacques BURNEL (who also returned to lead vocals for the first time since 1990), Dave GREENFIELD (Keyboards and vocals) and Jet BLACK (Drums and percussion). The album's release was preceded earlier in September, 2006 by the single, SPECTRE OF LOVE.

Very personal to Baz, it's a classic example of dark song matter juxtaposed with terrific upbeat hooks and melody which swiftly became both a fan and live favourite. SUITE XVI builds on the more traditional trademark sound of THE STRANGLERS that was rediscovered on the commercially successful NORFOLK COAST and was further galvanised here by the new, lean, stripped-down four-piece.

Many of the songs - or at least the initial ideas - were conceived when JJ and Baz decamped to Looe in Cornwall, in 2005 to focus on the writing. In WARNE, BURNEL had found a new partner with whom he had truly gelled. Later returning to their West Country studios, the whole band then developed and recorded SUITE XVI which was produced by Louie Nicastro. For Louie, who had worked with THE STRANGLERS for some years by this time, this was his first role at the helm and this fruitful union would see him go on to produce everything by the band since.

TRACKLIST