Product Info
Limited LP : Indies Exclusive Black & Gold Marbled Vinyl
More Info
SUITE XVI, as the title suggests, became THE STRANGLERS' 16th studio album when it was released in September, 2006.
Like NORFOLK COAST two years before, it, too, was released via Liberty/EMI.It was significant in that during the recording, the band reverted to a four piece once more, with guitarist Baz WARNE stepping up to become co-front-man and lead vocalist for the first time, along with the three original members, bassist Jean Jacques BURNEL (who also returned to lead vocals for the first time since 1990), Dave GREENFIELD (Keyboards and vocals) and Jet BLACK (Drums and percussion). The album's release was preceded earlier in September, 2006 by the single, SPECTRE OF LOVE.
Very personal to Baz, it's a classic example of dark song matter juxtaposed with terrific upbeat hooks and melody which swiftly became both a fan and live favourite. SUITE XVI builds on the more traditional trademark sound of THE STRANGLERS that was rediscovered on the commercially successful NORFOLK COAST and was further galvanised here by the new, lean, stripped-down four-piece.
Many of the songs - or at least the initial ideas - were conceived when JJ and Baz decamped to Looe in Cornwall, in 2005 to focus on the writing. In WARNE, BURNEL had found a new partner with whom he had truly gelled. Later returning to their West Country studios, the whole band then developed and recorded SUITE XVI which was produced by Louie Nicastro. For Louie, who had worked with THE STRANGLERS for some years by this time, this was his first role at the helm and this fruitful union would see him go on to produce everything by the band since.
Tracklist
Unbroken
Spectre of Love
She's Slipping Away
Summat Outan
Anything Can Happen
See Me Coming
Bless You (Save You, Spare You, Damn You)
A Soldier's Diary
Barbara (Shangri-La)
I Hate You
Relentless
2CD bonus tracks
1 Spectre of Love - Live at the Roundhouse
2 Summat Outanowt - Live in Manchester 2014
3 Soldier's Diary - Live in Bristol 2016
4 Bless You (Save You, Spare You, Damn You) - Live Acoustic
5 I Hate You - Live Acoustic
6 Spectre of Love - Live Acoustic
7 Relentless - Live in Patrimonio
8 Retro Rockets - Love at the Apollo
9 See Me Coming - TV Edit
10 Retro Rockets
11 I Don't See The World Like You Do
12 IV on XVI - An Interview with John Robb
Soundwave
https://youtu.be/6DMIEX9vYb4