Norfolk Coast

Norfolk Coast is an album by The Stranglers that was released on February 16, 2004. It was their first album in six years and their first studio album with new guitarist Baz Warne. A number of songs were written by Warne, including the ballad Dutch Moon. The album was well received by reviewers and fans alike, showing a return to form of the band, it also spawned the band’s first Top 40 hit single for more than a decade, Big Thing Coming (# 31 Feb 2004). The album sees the re-emergence of some of their signature sounds, such as Dave Greenfield’s swirling keyboards, in a contemporary setting. The hard-edged title track sets the direction for much of the album, while there are more contemplative moments, such as the atmospheric “Tuckers Grave”, dedicated to Edwin Tucker, who committed suicide in 1747 (and was written in the room in which he died). In a completely different direction, “Santfe Kuss” has a light, skiffle-like, approach.

Norfolk Coast is also the name of a short film starring Jean Jacques Burnel. It is available on the DVD On Screen On Stage and features rearranged music from the album.