Dark Matters (The Stranglers album) explained

Dark Matters
Type:studio
Artist:the Stranglers
Cover:The Stranglers - Dark Matters.png
Released:10 September 2021
Recorded:2019–2021[1]
Studio:Charlton Farm Studios, Bath
OX4 Sound Studios, Oxford
Baz Warne home studio, Yorkshire
unknown studio, France
Length:42:55
Label:Coursegood
Producer:Louie Nicastro
Prev Title:Giants
Prev Year:2012

Dark Matters is the eighteenth studio album by British rock band the Stranglers, released on 10 September 2021 through Coursegood.[2] It features the playing of keyboardist Dave Greenfield, who died in 2020.[3] It is also the first studio album recorded without founding drummer Jet Black, who retired from performing with the band in 2015.

Dark Matters entered the United Kingdom's Official Albums Chart at number 4,[4] the highest-placed studio album by the Stranglers since Feline in 1983. It was awarded "Album of the Year" by Vive Le Rock magazine in its December 2021 issue.[5] [6]

Background and recording

Dark Matters is the first Stranglers studio album since 2012's Giants and the first since the death of keyboardist Dave Greenfield in May 2020.[7] The track, "And If You Should See Dave...", was written by bassist and singer Jean-Jacques Burnel as a tribute to Greenfield.[8] Greenfield features on eight of the album's 11 tracks, with the remainder being completed by other band members remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions.[9] The album was recorded over the course of two years with long-time producer Louie Nicastro,[10] mainly at the Stranglers' own studio near Bath in Somerset and Mark Gardener's OX4 Sound Studios in Oxford.[11] Additional recording was done at guitarist Baz Warne's home studio in Yorkshire and at a studio near Burnel's home in the south of France.[12] [13] [14]

Burnel's "If Something's Gonna Kill Me (It Might as Well Be Love)", which also includes a lyrical tribute to Greenfield,[15] was arranged by Warne as a Kraftwerk-inspired electro-pop track, complete with keyboard bass and programmed drums. To create the song, Nicastro, who played the keyboard parts, used only keyboards that Greenfield would have used in the early days of the Stranglers, such as Oberheim, PPG Wave and Minimoog synthesizers.[15] The third post-Greenfield track, "The Lines", is a one-take recording featuring Burnel on acoustic guitar and Warne on lead vocals, with keyboards added later on.[12]

Dark Matters also marks the first Stranglers studio album since original drummer Jet Black stepped away from active performances in 2015.[16] Black does not perform on the album, but is thanked in the album's sleeve notes. He is replaced by long-time touring drummer Jim Macaulay.[16]

"This Song" is a cover of the track "This Song Will Get Me Over You" by the band the Disciples of Spess, but is co-credited to the Stranglers; the music video features the former England footballer Stuart Pearce, a long-time fan of the band.[17]

Track listing

A bonus CD, Dave Greenfield – A Tribute, was issued with pre-orders made through the Stranglers' official store. It features eight previously unreleased live recordings selected by the band, celebrating Greenfield's talent. It includes four of the Stranglers songs that Greenfield performed lead vocals on: "Dead Ringer", "Peasant in the Big Shitty", "Do You Wanna?" and "Four Horsemen".[10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes, except where noted.[18]

The Stranglers

Additional musicians

Technical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Garcia-Navarro . Lulu . The Stranglers Continue To Push The Boundaries Of Music In 'Dark Matters' . NPR. 12 September 2021. 28 January 2022.
  2. https://www.gigwise.com/news/3398678/the-stranglers-honour-late-keyboard-player-dave-greenfield-with--and-if-you-should-see-dave- The Stranglers honour late keyboard player Dave Greenfield with 'And If You Should See Dave'
  3. https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/hear-the-stranglers-tribute-to-late-keyboard-player-dave-greenfield-130315/ Hear The Stranglers' tribute to late keyboard player Dave Greenfield
  4. Web site: Copsey . Rob . Manic Street Preachers win "titanic battle" against Steps to claim second Number 1 on Official Albums Chart . Official Charts . The Official UK Charts Company . 18 September 2021.
  5. Web site: VLR album of the year!. thestranglers.co.uk. 18 January 2022 . 28 January 2022.
  6. Web site: The Stranglers Are Again Cover Stars Of The Latest Issue Of Vive Le Rock . Aural Sculptors. 19 December 2021 . 28 January 2022.
  7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52537293 Dave Greenfield: The Stranglers keyboard player dies at 71
  8. https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/the-stranglers-announce-new-album-dark-matters-and-share-tribute-single-for-late-keyboardist-dave-greenfield-2934335 The Stranglers announce new album 'Dark Matters' and share tribute single for late keyboardist Dave Greenfield
  9. https://stranglers.tmstor.es/product/79632 Dark Matters CD Album + Dave Greenfield - A Tribute (Exclusive Bonus CD)
  10. Web site: The Stranglers share tribute to late keyboard player Dave Greenfield, announce first studio album since 2012. Classic Rock. 5 May 2021 . 28 January 2022.
  11. Web site: OX4 Sound Rides The Faders On New SSL AWS 948 Console. solidstatelogic.com. 23 May 2019 . 28 January 2022.
  12. Web site: Baz Warne - Dark Matters 2021. Punk77.co.uk. 2021 . 28 January 2022.
  13. Web site: The Stranglers talk making new album Dark Matters..... HMV. 20 September 2021 . 28 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Giles . Mooney . LOCK DOWN TRACKS WITH BAZ WARNE FROM THE STRANGLERS. A Love Supreme. 28 January 2022.
  15. Web site: Janes . Steve . Out today – The Stranglers x If Something's Gonna Kill Me Track Chat . With Guitars . 30 July 2021. 28 January 2022.
  16. Web site: Hall . Duncan . The Stranglers guitarist Baz Warne on the departure of Jet Black and looking to the next 40 years . . 10 July 2015. 6 May 2021.
  17. Web site: Aubrey . Elizabeth . Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce stars in The Stranglers' new video . . 2 September 2021. 28 January 2022.
  18. Dark Matters . . 2021 . CD sleeve . Coursegood. CGCD12.