The Best of the Epic Years cover

The Best of the Epic Years

The Stranglers · 1997

70 min · 18 tracks · new wave · punk

A curated collection of melodic punk and new wave that showcases The Stranglers' eclectic sound and lyrical depth.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • melodic hooks for sing-alongs
  • curated collection for casual listening
  • nostalgic vibes for late nights

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • dislike varied energy levels

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1997, 'The Best of the Epic Years' captures The Stranglers during a retrospective phase, highlighting their evolution since the late 1970s. This compilation followed their commercial peak in the early 1980s and served to remind fans of their influential contributions to punk rock and post-punk music.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 European Female (album version) 4:04
  • 2 Midnight Summer Dream (7″ edit) 3:48
  • 3 Paradise (album version) 3:52
  • 4 Skin Deep (7″ edit) 3:55
  • 5 No Mercy (7″ edit) 3:40
  • 6 Hot Club (instrumental) 3:02
  • 7 Let Me Down Easy (7″ edit) 4:14
  • 8 Nice in Nice (7″ edit) 3:55
  • 9 Always the Sun (original 7″ edit) 4:07
  • 10 Big in America (7″ edit) 3:20
  • 11 Shakin’ Like a Leaf (7″ edit) 2:38
  • 12 All Day and All of the Night (album version) 2:32
  • 13 Was It You (7″ version) 3:01
  • 14 96 Tears (7″ edit) 3:13
  • 15 Sweet Smell of Success (7″ edit) 2:51
  • 16 No Mercy (Cement mix) 6:48
  • 17 Always the Sun (Long Hot Sunny Side Up mix – 12″ version) 5:58
  • 18 Sweet Smell of Success (Strangled House mix – 12″ version) 5:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata