In 2013, the great five-disc
Stranglers box
set The Old Testament: The U.A. Studio Recordings (1977-1982) from
1992 was reissued, featuring most of the group's best albums plus a
bunch of drool-worthy bonuses (demos, B-sides, remixes, and other
whatnot). This bulky 11-disc set was released just one year after --
the excuse being that the band's 40th anniversary must be honored --
but the differences are vast, with this one serving a purpose for the
hardcore while Old Testament is the clear winner for the more casual
listener. Believe that the band was a sham once lead singer Hugh
Cornwell left in 1990 and
Giants and Gems is a
legacy-harming device, since two albums with Baz Warne on vocals (the
OK Suite XVI from 2006 and the excellent Giants from 2012) are
included. End-to-end fans who think that Baz is ace might still find
this set revisionist history, as the band's middle period as a
five-piece with the slinky singer Paul Roberts (who acted as if he were
fronting INXS and not the scruffy band that recorded "Peaches") is
missing, as are the late Hugh Cornwell albums, since classics like Aural
Sculpture are owned by Sony. The Old Testament bonus tracks have also
gone missing here, as Giants and Gems presents the albums just as they
were issued on vinyl with no extras, but including the rarities
compilation Off the Beaten Track in this set is a bonus in itself, as
are getting the live albums Live (X-Cert) and Live at the Hope &
Anchor. Those looking to go past the hits should buy Aural Sculpture and
Feline separately, then consider The Old Testament if you want the
complete lean and mean Stranglers, or add this one to the shelves for
something more exhaustive and Bazzy.
