Hugh Cornwell – Fall And Rise Of Hugh Cornwell (2015) (Album Review)

Hugh Cornwell – Fall And Rise Of Hugh Cornwell (2015)

For decades, The Stranglers have been one of my favorite bands of all time and in all the Universe. And yet, I find that Hugh Cornwell pulls it off wonderfully, even on his own. It made my heart ache when he said in an interview that “he never had as much fun with the Stranglers as he did solo”. But there’s no denying his talent, and he doesn’t need to play nothing but covers of his legendary band to make good music.

There aren’t many artists who come out of extraordinary bands whose solo careers I enjoy.

Joan Jett is probably one of them, although in Runaways, with Lita Ford, the power was even more magical. Joan Jett has mostly made hits with covers. Of course, she has the ability to make them even more transcendent.

Morrissey’s career has been excellent, of course, but none of his guitarists has ever really had the touch and magic of Johnny Marr. As a result, their fans have always missed the Smiths.

Suggs, singer of the exceptional Madness, was able to surprise with his two solo albums, and was even more touching. But I can’t be objective with him, because he’s clearly the singer of my ultimate favorite band.

Adam Ant did some interesting solo stuff, but he explored quite a bit too. He didn’t just do things that were easy to follow, and he certainly lost power. It’s no wonder that today, he’s re-singing all the wildest Adam & the Ants tracks. The main thing is that he’s enjoying himself.

Stranglers and The Undertones are the two bands I’ve always loved, even if they’ve both changed singers. But getting back to Cornwell’s career, as much as some people say that THE ultimate Strangler is Jean-Jacques Burnel, the bassist (no doubt because they’re in love with him), I feel that Hugh has always kept that magic that his ex-band lost with their second singer Paul Roberts. On the other hand, Baz Warne is the best replacement Hugh Cornwell could have had.

Alternately melodic, harmonious, powerful songs that are a kind of continuation.
It’s as if The Stranglers had followed two paths at the same time, without ever fully returning to the big punk of their early days.

The album lives up to its name, because there are some moments that aren’t as good as others, but on the whole, I’m pretty pleased with it. I got the choruses, the sounds, the humor, the good old Rock I wanted.

My Rating