Compiling two of the Stranglers' strongest albums, 1979's The Raven and 1981's La Folie, this two-disc set captures the band at the heights of its artistic and commercial success. The Raven was a chart-topper in the U.K. at the time of its release, fueled by the proto-new wave synth pop of hit single "Duchess." La Folie was the group's attempt to regain some waning popularity by enlisting famed producer Tony Visconti to help them craft a hit record. This was achieved in the form of "Golden Brown," one of the group's biggest commercial smashes and a subversively penned ode to heroin use. The French-language sung/spoken title track was an odd diversion into cold, synthetic territory, but managed to be a charting hit for the band as well. This collection includes 12 bonus tracks not issued on the original vinyl releases of either of these albums, but from their respective eras and recording sessions. ~ Fred Thomas|
Rovi
Compiling two of the Stranglers' strongest albums, 1979's The Raven and 1981's La Folie, this two-disc set captures the band at the heights of its artistic and commercial success. The Raven was a chart-topper in the U.K. at the time of its release, fueled by the proto-new wave synth pop of hit single "Duchess." La Folie was the group's attempt to regain some waning popularity by enlisting famed producer Tony Visconti to help them craft a hit record. This was achieved in the form of "Golden Brown," one of the group's biggest commercial smashes and a subversively penned ode to heroin use. The French-language sung/spoken title track was an odd diversion into cold, synthetic territory, but managed to be a charting hit for the band as well. This collection includes 12 bonus tracks not issued on the original vinyl releases of either of these albums, but from their respective eras and recording sessions. ~ Fred Thomas
Rovi