The Stranglers
Norfolk Coast

Yet, despite their age, they continue to do things like this!
It seems impossible or a fairy tale from another time that made children dream. And yet, the Stranglers are an almost fairy-tale reality that has lasted since the now ancient 1977. After Hugh Cornwell's escape from the band in '90, no one had faith in them despite the beautiful voice of new singer Paul Roberts and the excellent guitarist John Ellis (ex Vibrators and ex guitarist of Peter Gabriel).
Only in recent years (from 1997 with the release of the album "Written In Red") has the group been re-evaluated by everyone and appreciated quite decently, although the success of the '70s and '80s has not been reached again at those memorable levels.

Norfolk Coast, released in 2004, is a wonderful album marked by a legendary rock music performance that has left its mark for many years.
The album opens with the first track "Norfolk Coast," like the album of the same name: an apocalyptic track that features a Baz Warne (new guitarist) with a psychedelic guitar that seems to strike like a storm in a very dark and gray sky in a desolate land (somewhat like the album cover depicted); essentially a stunning track that alone is worth the purchase of the entire album.
Following is the track and single "Big Thing Coming," very nice and enjoyable, which somewhat evokes the emotions of the old "Something Better Change" from the distant 1977 album "No More Heroes." The other single, "Long Black Veil," is a very introspective track with gothic atmospheres that are gray and medieval. The album is very different from the previous one, "Coup De Grace," released in 1998, which was decidedly more romantic and very refined, elegant, and nocturnal. Therefore, the craftsmanship of this album was entirely unexpected; after all, the Stranglers have always made very different albums, always astounded all their fans.
The track "Dutch Moon" seems to rediscover a little of the atmosphere from the previous album "Coup De Grace," very romantic and refined, a little like "Tucker's Grave" with a bass and hypnotic keyboard that accompany you on an endless nocturnal journey. "Sanfte Kuss" (the gentle kiss) is a track that recalls "Cruel Garden" a lot, very beautiful, and perhaps a few years before the release of the Norfolk Coast album, they had thought of naming the album in English "The Gentle Kiss." "Into The Fire" is another track I want to highlight because it evokes many '70s atmospheres, hellish, transgressive, and very psychedelic. "I Don't Agree" is too beautiful and dedicated to all the band's secular fans: in this track, it seems you can see Dave Greenfield's mustache again!
In summary, an album not to be missed at all that, in my opinion, marks and stamps the greatness of this band despite the great loss in the past of the legendary Hugh Cornwell.