Black and White
The Stranglers · 1978
48 min · 14 tracks · new wave
A frenetic blend of punk energy and new wave sophistication, infused with biting social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nice ’n’ Sleazy — This track exemplifies the band's signature combination of punk bravado and sardonic wit, with a driving beat that captures the essence of their rebellious spirit.
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Curfew — With its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, this song showcases a darker side of The Stranglers, highlighting their ability to fuse punk energy with emotional depth.
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Tank Start here — Opening the album with relentless energy, 'Tank' sets a high-octane tone that encapsulates the raw power of The Stranglers' early sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends punk energy with new wave sophistication, showcasing strong writing and production choices.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Tank', that sets a fast tempo and aggressive tone, which is maintained through the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Hey! (Rise of the Robots)', which shifts from frenetic verses to a more subdued chorus.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sharp lyrical wit throughout
- dynamic range with peaks
- punchy tracks for quick bursts
- engaging energy for active listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, slower albums
- seek polished production values
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified The Stranglers' reputation and influenced post-punk music.
- Themes
- punk rebellion· social disillusionment
- Moods
- Aggressive· Dark
- Career context
- Released in January 1978, 'Black and White' was The Stranglers' third studio album, following their successful sophomore effort, 'No More Heroes'. The band was solidifying their reputation within the punk scene, evolving their sound to incorporate more experimental elements while maintaining their edgy lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cure· Siouxsie and the Banshees· Gang of Four
Tracklist
- 1 Tank Start here 2:57
- 2 Nice ’n’ Sleazy 3:13
- 3 Outside Tokyo 2:09
- 4 Hey! (Rise of the Robots) 2:17
- 5 Sweden (All Quiet on the Eastern Front) 2:51
- 6 Toiler on the Sea 5:28
- 7 Curfew 3:16
- 8 Threatened 3:34
- 9 In the Shadows 4:37
- 10 Do You Wanna 2:28
- 11 Death and Night and Blood (Yukio) 2:50
- 12 Enough Time 4:19
- 13 Mean to Me 1:57
- 14 Walk on By 6:21
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
More Songs About Buildings and Food
Talking Heads
Shares the same blend of punk energy with experimental new wave sounds and sharp social commentary.
Pink Flag
Wire
Features a similar frenetic approach to punk, with an experimental edge and concise lyrical critiques.
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Combines aggressive punk energy with sophisticated arrangements and a sense of social disillusionment.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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