Album Review: Hugh Cornwell - "Moments Of Madness"

 

Hugh Cornwell's last album, 2018's Monster, was arguably his strongest effort for a good few years, mixing a theme of songs about remarkable personalities with some genuinely good songwriting and tunes. It'd probably be an exaggeration to say that Moments of Madness therefore has a lot to live up to as Cornwell's been on the scene long enough now that he doesn't have to make any apologies regarding who he is but I was interested to see how this album compared to its impressive predecessor.

The truth is that it's a bit of a curio really. Although the opening track Coming Out Of The Wilderness is a strident opening statement of intent, this album quickly disappears down so many side roads that it becomes a bit difficult to keep track of. Red Rose appears to be a diatribe against people with tattoos which just comes across as a bit spiteful and unpleasant unfortunately although Iwannahideinsideaya rights things with Cornwell casting a weary eye over the state of the world today and wondering what the hell has happened. Looking For You sees the Doors influences that have informed his work ever since the earliest days of the Stranglers coming to the fore and the ominous When I Was A Young Man is an engagingly down to earth musing on the passing of time with its frenetic drums and choppy guitars.

The title track is another oddity which sees Cornwell going into reggae territory - to be fair, the Stranglers did dabble in that area a bit with Peaches and Nice 'n' Sleazy back in the day but this sounds a lot more fully-formed and self-assured with the added experience. Beware of the Doll has a sparse almost gothy feel to it and Too Much Trash is an ode to recycling of all things which has a righteous anger to it. Lasagna has an almost mariachi feel to it (anyone remember the old Fun Lovin' Criminals song Korean Bodega?) before the ominous slow-growing Heartbreak At Seven signs this one off.

If I'm honest, I do prefer Monster to Moments of Madness but it's still a competent enough effort from Cornwell - the only thing separating the two is the lack of a genuinely killer tune here to really elevate this one up. Nevertheless, it's certainly a varied album which shows Cornwell certainly isn't afraid of stepping outside his comfort zone even after four decades in the game. Certainly his fans at least should find plenty to enjoy here.

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑🌑 (7/10)

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