Jake - 12/17/2010

Feline was the stranglers seventh studio album released in 1983. It was described by David Buckley, in 'No Mercy', the stranglers biography as being; 'the first stranglers album which could be played at a dinner party, or could be put on after the hours of darkness without spooking out the rest of the family'. Whilst it is true that is a more serene affair than albums regarded as punk classics 'Rattus Norvegicus' and 'No More Heroes' and barely recognisable as the same band, Feline is not simply a commercial pop album. Hugh Cornwell's autobiography 'A Multitude of Sins' reflects that Roxy Music's 'Avalon' was partially influential on the albums sound. One might go further and say there are hints of Japan and more than just a hint of Kraftwerk to be found on Feline, but it is also very distinctly the stranglers. It sits comfortably alongside the influences mentioned and has just a slight Bowie vibe to it, unsurprisingly perhaps when Tony Visconti co-produced/engineered the album with the band. Cornwell's autobiography also describes the tension between himself and the rest of the band during the making of this album, Cornwell would of course go on to make just three more albums with the stranglers following Feline. Cornwell's other revelations of the time speak of the fact they were highly under the influence of various substances, even recalling being laid out on the studio floor, off their heads on smack during the recording of Feline.


Feline is often remarked as musically reflecting Northern Europe meets Southern Europe. The harsh industrial sounds of Jet Black's drum programming, Dave Greenfield's synthesisers and the trademark JJ Burnell bass, representing the North. This contrasts with Cornwell's contribution, having largely hung up his electric guitar for this album; he represented the South through acoustic guitar, which at times has a distinct Spanish feel to it. Feline is a very interesting almost experimental album, it is one of a kind not just for the stranglers, but generally speaking- there are not many albums out there that can make such claims about representations of European music. Feline had a similar feel to previous efforts like 'The Gospel According to the Meninblack' and 'La Folie', but it was very much a one off. The experiment on Feline was largely not repeated on future albums, the follow up album, 'Aural Sculpture' is almost a jazz album by contrast. However 'Fire and Water' the solo offering from JJ. Burnel and Dave Greenfield continue in a similar direction to Feline, minus the acoustic guitars.


The Stranglers were in many ways at the height of their success at the time of Feline's release. Feline saw the stranglers depart EMI and sign a lucrative contract with Epic (CBS). This was in the wake of achieving top ten hits with 'Golden Brown' and 'Strange Little Girl', the latter was followed by the first single from Feline 'European Female' which went to score further top ten success. Feline additionally made the top ten album charts, and was the last stranglers' studio album to do so since. The Stranglers also headlined at the 1983 Reading Festival, so it is reasonable to suggest the band were at the peak of their commercial success at this time.


From 'Midnight Summer Dream' through to 'Never Say Goodbye', Feline is a remarkable collection of songs that somehow encapsulates a tonal contrast perhaps best summed up in the lyrics of the latter:
"Black friend of the night
Why did you leave in such a hurry?
White friend of the day
You left us juggling our worries"


As a final word each song on 'Feline' is an audio delight, highlights are 'Midnight Summer Dream', 'Ships That Pass In The Night', 'European Female', 'Paradise', 'All Roads lead to Rome' and 'Never say Goodbye'. This review is a personal opinion; Feline is an album which seems to divide fans, but as far as I am concerned it was and still remains an excellent album. Feline is topped off with great artwork, the cat on the front sleeve has a Mona Lisa effect with eyes that seem to follow you- fantastic stuff, Feline is highly recommended get yourself a copy today!