The Stranglers: The Video Collection 1977-1982 – Review

The Stranglers

The Video Collection 1977-1982 (EMI)
by Martin Popoff

It’s less than piffle as a DVD (tossed-off cover art, zero extras), but that’s just fine in this new world of mystique-destroying backstage footage, numbing biographical screen text, and thumbnail cover shots. No, what’s offered here is a collection of 16 (mostly) rarely-aired production videos from one of rock’s most mysterious bands of anti-musical hooligans. The range of ideas and production involvement is both commendable and attention-keeping. “Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” features the band way out of their element, playing a sunny outdoor gig, which they proceed to turn into a full-blown stripshow, a gaggle of girls going all the way, the band going part way, the crowd growing confused. “Duchess” was called blasphemous in its day, the band miming the black humorous ditty dressed as Catholic priests. “Nuclear Device” portrays the band in goofy Hard Day’s Night mode (but still managing to look cool). But best of the bunch is the video for the sinfully mesmerizing “Golden Brown,” which finds the band on location in Egypt, possibly Morocco as well, backdropped by impressive mosques, camel races, and museum artifacts, playing like medicated puppets, in tuxes… Horrific, given the song’s literal romanticizing and romancing of heroin. You’d be well and proper to be a little frightened of the Stranglers, and after watching these grainy old vids, most of them done on the cheap, you’ll likely emerge just a little more uneasy about listening to the band’s demented carnival music when none too happy in the head (you’ll end up dead).
(www.stranglers.net)