"The Raven" is the fourth studio album by the English new wave band The Stranglers, released on September 21, 1979, through United Artists Records. This album marked a notable shift in the band's sound, incorporating more experimental and diverse elements compared to their previous work. It features a blend of new wave, punk rock, and electronic influences. The record includes tracks like "Something Better Change" and "No More Heroes," which exemplify the band's evolving style during this period.
The Raven is the fourth studio album by The Stranglers, released on September 21, 1979. The album’s thematic and visual elements draw heavily from Norse mythology, with the back cover depicting the band on the prow of a Viking longship. The music explores a range of subjects, including Japanese ritual suicide in "Ice," heroin use in "Don't Bring Harry," the Iranian Revolution in "Shah Shah a Go Go," and genetic engineering in "Genetix."
One notable track, "Dead Loss Angeles," stands out for its unique instrumentation, featuring guitarist Hugh Cornwell on bass alongside bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel. This song is distinctive for its lack of lead or rhythm guitars and is lyrically inspired by Cornwell's experiences in the U.S.
Unlike their previous albums, The Raven was produced by the band themselves, with Alan Winstanley as the engineer, rather than their regular producer Martin Rushent.
