Originally published by L.S.Media. September 12th 2012.

Whatever accusation you throw at Hugh Cornwell, boring and banal are the superlatives that should not ever be amongst them.

Since leaving The Stranglers in 1990, Hugh’s song-writing has stretched people’s intellectual knowledge and meant the freedom to enjoy a good song for what it is worth. He has produced albums that the listener either will adore and the songs much called for during his live set or frustrate with their alleged simplicity and lyrical content. Such is life and Hugh more than likely won’t care which camp you end up in. The same will be felt for Hugh’s new album Totem and Taboo. It will frustrate and please in equal measure and even though Hugh’s back catalogue reflects his time in the profession with a smile, there are times when even a fan will shudder. Totem and Taboo somehow manages to still have the raw inner anger in his compositions that endears him to a certain section of music lovers.

With Hugh there is no pretension, this is a musician who just writes songs to appeal to those that really want to listen and on the vast majority of songs on the recording, like his whole discography, he delivers the unspoken promise that he has always managed to keep that he will entertain you. He will write songs that cracking to hear and appreciate but if you don’t like them then go ahead, knock yourself out and play something else.

Whilst Totem and Taboo doesn’t quite hit the high mark of say Hooverdam or the exceptional Hi-Fi from 2000, it is a piece that is striking for its generosity of guitar and the spirit that pours of it, even if a couple of songs might rankle the bones with lyrical suggestions that would have been better left in another decade.

Among the highlights on Totem and Taboo is the self-admission of guilt and realisation of male mistakes made in the past of God Is A Woman, the biting criticism of Stuck In Daily Mail Land and the bizarrely titled but insanely brilliant track of Gods, Guns and Gays. The latter track highlighting Chris Bell’s drumming superbly.

With no doubt having Hugh around makes nights in worthwhile, the music catchy and easy but with that little spark of danger you associate with the man.  As has already been suggested, if you don’t like there is other music out there to listen to, however, few artists spark a debate as readily as Hugh Cornwell and that marks him out as still one of the main reasons to own a Hi-Fi.

Ian D. Hall