Originally published by L.S. Media. February 3rd 2010.

When good things come round, they tend to come round in pairs, cup final tickets, bacon and eggs for example but in the case of music it can only be a new album and a tour at the same time. This mouth watering prospect is on offer from the stalwarts of the business and all round good guys The Stranglers.

Much has changed in the time since drummer Jet Black, Dave Greenfield on keyboards and supreme bassist J. J Burnel toured with then lead vocalist Hugh Cornwell as part of the emerging punk scene in the early seventies. With fantastic punchy tunes such as Something Better Change and (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) the band seemed set for world domination. Roll forward nearly thirty five years later and umpteen classic albums later, the band have what seems to be a definitive best of album with the added pleasure of two new songs added into the mix.

The album’s title, Decades Apart, says it all and it certainly makes you wonder where all the years have gone since we had a band that commands so much respect from their loyal fans.

As you would expect from the title of the album, this release is a celebration of the music of one the most enduring bands to have ever graced these shores.

With songs ranging from the wonderfully grubby Peaches and No More Heroes from the early days of the bands critical success, through to the chart hits of Golden Brown and European Female and onto the massive resurgence of 2006’s Spectre of Love with the stunning Baz Warne at the helm, The Stranglers have never been backward when it comes to great music, stunning riffs and lyrics you can die for.

If there is a band that deserves to finally have a U.K. number one album then surely with this, the band will achieve it.

Decades Apart is released on the 1st March and the single “Retro Rockets” on the 22nd February.

Ian D. Hall