Black Hair, Black Eyes, Black Suit

They Say...

Review by Jack Rabid, All Music Guide

Having endured the misery of abysmal so-called "Stranglers" releases since Hugh Cornwell walked out on the band he fronted for 15 years, Cornwell's mere sighting comes as a relief. And now that he's made this nifty album, consider it an even more definitive confirmation that Cornwell's former group is 100% bogus without him. Not that Black Hair was an assured pleasure. Cornwell's prospects as a solo artist seemed rather lackluster when he announced his separation so long ago, considering the two drab solo outings he belched out while still Strangling. Cornwell obviously stockpiled strong material and poured all his concentration in this album -- Black Hair's 12 songs are as focused, well-conceived, and finely written as the Stranglers' better post-Black and White LPs. In fact, many cuts here are as golden delicious as such after-punk lighter-pop gems as "Duchess," "Golden Brown," "Strange Little Girl," and "Always the Sun." Much credit goes to producer Laurie Latham, the man behind the Stranglers' most consistently moody LP, 1984's underground smash Aural Sculpture. Imagine that LP's hip-radio hits "Skin Deep" and "Let Me Down Easy," only less breezy, and without synthetic drums, and you conjure the fun of "Snapper," "One Burning Desire," and "Hot Head." Even better is the title track, a Cornwell concoction on the par with 10's few top-notch tunes. Washed up after 24 years? Not in that black tie, those black shoes, or that still sharp black-as-night suit, and not in this tightly crafted, post-rebel rock. Cornwell has proven himself a minor master of mannered pop with purpose before, and he's done it again here. Black Hair is a record the pseudo-Stranglers could barely improve upon; a consistent delight.