The Stranglers “Black and White”
The Stranglers “Black and White” released on this date, May 12th, 1978. Black and white marbled vinyl concept album. It spent 18 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at #2.
“Tank” leads off Side 1 (or the “white side”) with a swirling keyboard run that is very reminiscent of their song “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)” from their ‘77 LP Rattus Norvegicus. “Nice and Sleazy” was released as a single and has a killer bass line; it reached #18 on the UK Singles Chart. Tracks like “Toiler on the Sea” and “Sweden (All Quiet on the Eastern Front)” are experimental, freaky dissonant art rock goes punk with lunatic keyboards.
Side 2 (the “black side”) starts with “Curfew,” the vocals snotty and melodic punk, the lyrics telling a story of societal breakdown, fear and invasion, over the Stranglers’ signature keyboard rifts. “Threatened” throws a threatening beat and double-layered nihilistic vocals: Man killed by industry, Man killed by luxury, Man killed by falling tree, Man killed by sanity. Bring me a piece of my mummy, she was quite close to me.” “In the Shadows” veers into goth territory, as does “Death and Night and Blood” albeit through a highly musically experimental lens.
Daily (maybe) pulls from the vault: 33-1/3, 45, 78, old, older, classic, new, good, bad. Subjective. Autobiographical. Occasionally putting a record up for sale.