MOMENTS OF MADNESS

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Easlea, Daryl (November 2022). "Hugh Cornwell – Moments Of Madness". Record Collector. No.537. p.109. A high watermark and a modern-day masterpiece, Moments of Madness is being tipped as the most significant album of Hugh’s illustrious career.” Velvet Thunder When we talk about punk today, and our magazine does like to talk about punk off and on (!), then there are some great new bands around. Try looking at our recent features on The Last Gang or The Bombpops , for example. Just reading about the current punk scene shows how vibrant it is. 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.

Widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era (from his early career fronting the Stranglersto his transition as a solo artist), Hugh Cornwellhas 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. 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. A high watermark and a modern-day masterpiece, Moments of Madnessis being tipped as the most significant album of Hugh’s career.

The creepily entitled ‘Beware Of The Doll’ explores matters of the heart. It’s uncomplicated yet resonant with Cornwell whittling a sweet solo from his white Telecaster. Reminiscent of the darker Stranglers material Cornwell’s ghosting vocals hauntingly reverberate. Self-produced, Moments of Madness finds Hugh flexing his musical muscles with a stripped down, offbeat, reverberating sixties vibe ringing with seductive melodies and distinctive lyrics that are indelibly stamped with Hugh’s trademark imagination. Vocally and lyrically, Hugh has never sounded so good. Moments of Madnessis multi-layered with serious messages, acute analysis, and witty observations in fun-filled lyrical and musical eccentricity. On LasagneHugh tells the story about his Italian friends who live in Mexico and make the best lasagne he has ever tasted. As always, Cornwell communicates with a biting humour in all the right places. Four years since his previous remarkable solo album Monster, the opener, and latest single, Coming Out of the Wildernesssurfs 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.” Widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era” and certainly, the ten songs here are wonderful in their use of language that verges on the unique, but it’s only when you add it together with the truly bewildering kaleidoscope of musical styles that you realise how good Moments Of Madness is.” Maximum Volume Music

We were given a trio of other Stranglers tunes; ‘Goodbye Toulouse’, ‘London Lady’ and the rare ‘Turn The Centuries, Turn’ before the one song encore of ‘Skin Deep’ which rounded off the evening’s entertainment.

The former Stranglers frontman is coming out of the wilderness…

As if to prove the record is a proper melting pot where anything goes, then the title song has a reggae feel, while “Beware Of The Doll” seems to come in from the prairies on widescreen. It feels like “Too Much Trash” is one of the more important ones on the album. Taking on environmental issues, but also our own laziness, it’s a shining example of what this record does. 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. 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.” With the fullness of the Beaver Moon hanging upon high erstwhile Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell brings his latest solo UK tour to the historic city of Exeter.

Looking for Youreveals 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 is multi-layered with serious messages, acute analysis, and witty observations in fun-filled lyrical and musical eccentricity. On Lasagne Hugh tells the story about his Italian friends who live in Mexico and make the best lasagne he has ever tasted. As always, Cornwell communicates with a biting humour in all the right places. Cornwell has, no doubt, throughout both his solo career and his 16-year tenure within the ranks of the idiosyncratic genre-defying Stranglers encountered such. Thus, it’s rather appropriate that this tour, drawing its naming from Cornwell’s sensational tenth solo album, is entitled ‘Moments of Madness.’ 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. Ray, Mark (16 October 2022). "Hugh Cornwell: Moments Of Madness – Album Review". Louder Than War . Retrieved 21 October 2022.

New Album

days ago Two Door Cinema Club have announced a massive concert for summer 2024 with a show at Custom House Square, Belfast on Thursday 15th August 2024. The surreal carousel of psychedelic motifs spinning from this sixties stew of sonic moments (of madness) echo down the years as Cornwell delivers his unique humour in the pithy lyrics for a safe port in the storm close relationship on I WannaHideInsideAya. Moments of Madness is multi-layered with serious messages, acute analysis, and witty observations in fun-filled lyrical and musical eccentricity. On Lasagna Hugh tells the story about his Italian friends who live in Mexico and make the best lasagne he has ever tasted. As always, Cornwell communicates with a biting humour in all the right places.

The once and forever Strangler brings a dirty-riffing lurch of no surrender from new album Moments of Madness.” MOJO, 4 Stars Hugh Cornwell announces new album & UK tour - Brighton and Hove News. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.There’s a sentence in the supporting press documentation that came with this, though, that rather intrigues. It says that Cornwell was “widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era” and certainly, the ten songs here are wonderful in their use of language that verges on the unique, but it’s only when you add it together with the truly bewildering kaleidoscope of musical styles that you realise how good “Moments Of Madness” is. In 2016 Hugh released This Time It's Personal with punk poet John Cooper Clarke, which comprised of their inimitable takes on songs that shaped their youth. Critics declared it a musical masterpiece. As much was said when Hugh released his ninth solo record Monster in 2018, on which he wrote about the idols that shaped and influenced his life, including La Grande Dame, a song dedicated to his mother. 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. Moments of Madness – New Album and Tour - HughCornwell.com. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.