The new Hugh CD review

Sep 08, 2004 19:22

Ok I have in my hands the new Hugh CD - let`s pop it in the CD player shall we? - first up.........

Land Of 1000 Kisses
Well can`t really tell the difference between this version and the one he played on the radio a while back. It`s a bit of a forgettable track to be honest. Never really liked it even when I heard it live years ago. One thing that strikes you though is that the boy Visconti has brought Hugh`s vocals right to the fore 4/10

Cadiz
Another one that was featured on the tours. Really really laid back. It hasn`t been given a big backing band electric workover (although it sounds like an e-bow is used towards the end of the track). It`s more like exactly how he did it on the live tour with just a few samples thrown in here and there - castanettes etc. It`s very nice! Very melodic - typical Hugh. 8/10

Do right bayou
Again very similar (if not identical) to the radio broadcast. Great track. Reminds me of Always The Sun - it`s got that classic feel about it. Nice angular geetar riffs as well after the chorus. 7/10

Under Her Spell
Another tour fave. Was curious about how he was gonna approach this in the studio. Starts off with a bit of accoustic finger picking then it`s boooooom!!! 60`s freakout, tambourines the fucking lot skipping along. Hugh`s vocals also get a kinda echoey 60`s production. It`s like "I`m in pieces bits and pieces" boom!, boom!, boom!. Very cool - loving it
Really quality production 7/10

Beauty On The Beach
One of my faves on the tour. But I`m afraid he`s ruined this completely. Fucking flute, woodblocks, excessive drumming - too much going on man!!!! Why oh why? Makes the chorus sound well cheesey as well 6/10

The Story Of Harry Power
*yawn* Goes on and on.....flute solo......goes on and on..hang on it`s stopped.....oh no we`re off again......on and on. It`s like a nursery rhyme quiet embarrasing really - hope no one catches me listening to it they may think I`m a bit simple 2/10

24/7
Pretty similar to the live version - Accoustic - same finger picking (that Xmas song riff). This could`ve been recorded straight from a live gig. His vocals don`t sound too great to be honest (in fact could be his worse vocal performance). Organ kicks in half way through - nothing spesh. Didn`t mind this on the tour but I`m not keen here on record. Would prefer to listen to a bootleg recording of this from one of the gigs. Another disappointment 6/10

Mr Big
Sounds a bit like a jazz Peaches. Not heard this one. Not bad this is the track that shoulda had the full electric band menacing work out. Hugh`s singing I`m glad to say is spot on on this track. Sounds very stranglers-ish 9/10 (I think this one will grow on me BIGtime )

Picked Up By The Wind
At last a track from the tour that he`s really made the effort with without throwing loads of instruments at to see what happens. It`s got a nice skiffle beat and driving bass line - very cool. The song actually seems to disappear into the wind half way through then come back again. Quality! 8/10

I Don`t Mind
Hugh covers the Buzzcocks classic and it`s not bad. No not really. We have a bit of a weird track here that sounds a bit 80`s. His vocals sound like they were recorded 20 years ago - even the odd snarl in there (vocally speaking). Nice geetar break half way through. 7/10

Henry Moore
This one really grew on me from the live dates. From the intro the main riff sounds like it`s played on a glockenspiel (another 60`s soundtrack job). We`re then back into the accoustic territory and feathers on drums. To be honest though this track doesn`t need much work it`s such a great melodic piece. The glockenspiel (if that`s what it is) kinda grates on you a bit 6/10

So there you have it - I guess the majority of Stranglers fans probably won`t like the chilled, laid back affair of this album. It`s like a stripped back HiFi. I enjoy it. Loving the way Visconti has made Hugh`s vocals be the main focus of the album (ala La Folie) it`s a very bold and confident statement from Hugh I think. However, methinks Hugh is trying too hard to make a Bond soundtrack. Also, some of the songs are almost identical to the live performances - it seems like he`s not known what to do with them so he`s simply left them as is. Some of it sounds a bit CCW as well and a bit Jazz influenced. Therefore the one word that somes this album up is Nice!

Jim
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