I don’t mind different types of jewellery, show it to me, just feel free’, could be I’m missing the artistry” opines Hugh on Red Rose– a song about the bewildering trend for tattoos revealing a record of many gleaming lyrical gems.

Looking for You reveals a Jim Morrison-inspired vocal over this song’s spooky atmospherics, and the semi-autobiographical and upbeat When I Was a Young Man opens a can of insightful, wistful emotions “As years go by and friends, they die they leave me living slow,” Hugh sombrely sings as he reflects upon his family and friends. Moments Of Madness creates a universe where Stranglers hardcore and newcomer alike can revel.” Record Collector, 4 Stars

Stranglers founder Hugh Cornwell plays all the instruments himself on 10th solo album Moments Of Madness

Hugh’s cautionary tales about matters of the heart are revealed in his inimitable coded style on Beware of the Doll. “You think you’re listening to love. You’re sinking from a foot above.” And the more personal album closer Heartbreak at Seven which was the first song that Hugh recorded for this album. Illustrious, multi-talented and a legend, with Moments of Madness, Hugh Cornwell has produced a timely and thought-provoking masterpiece for our times. Four years since his previous remarkable solo album Monster, the opener, and first single, Coming Out of the Wilderness surfs an edgy and explosive sixties sound with a heavy Duane Eddy guitar twang as Hugh declares, “I’m coming out of the wilderness, learnt how to throw a bowie knife. Ran into fair-haired maiden’s out there but didn’t take no wife.” I’m sort of collecting Teles in all the colors of the rainbow, but it’s very hard to find pink, orange, purple and green Teles Four years since his previous remarkable solo album Monster, the opener, and first single, Coming Out of the Wilderness surfs an edgy and explosive sixties sound with a heavy Duane Eddy guitar twang as Hugh declares, “I’m coming out of the wilderness, learnt how to throw a bowie knife. Ran into fair-haired maiden’s out there but didn’t take no wife.”

So: I am a relatively recent convert to his former band, seeing them for the first time this year, and when I saw Cornwell open for The Undertones in the summer, it was the first time I’d seen him too. He – and the band he had – were superb that night, and so is this. Widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era (from his early career fronting the Stranglers to his transition as a solo artist), Hugh Cornwell has built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums. When future historians of music draw up a list of the movers and shakers who changed the modern musical landscape, there will be no doubt that Hugh Cornwell's name will be prominent amongst them. As a pioneering musician, songwriter, and performer his pervasive influence persists in the record collections of music aficionados, across this spinning globe's radio waves, and on stages around the world. Hugh's presence is unquestionable. Born in Tufnell Park, North London, Hugh attended school with another celebrated musician Richard Thompson before achieving a degree in biochemistry. He performed his first solo gigs at restaurants owned by celebrated TV chef Keith Floyd who used The Strangler's Peaches music on his food programmes.Widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era (from his early career fronting the Stranglers to his transition as a solo artist), Hugh Cornwell has built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums. His tenth solo opus, Moments of Madness, continues his illustrious output by experimenting with musical genres as his enviable reputation as a wordsmith resounds across this album’s songs.