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. 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.” 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.

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. That one is one of the longest on the album. The rest are presented without excess. “Red Rose” is a celebration of jewellery. He’s not impressed with tattoos, mind you. “Then you get the tramp stamp, I don’t like the tramp stamp” is not a chorus I thought I’d review, but whatever. For reference, these are also known as “slag tag’s” if you want to get that in a future record. Glad to help.Never assume knowledge. They teach you that when you do a journalism degree. So you’re supposed to explain who Hugh Cornwell is and why his tenth studio record is so important. Not sure about you, but I think we’ll skip that bit. Says Hugh, “It’s like I’ve got a stew pot of sounds where I’ve put in a bit of Joe Meek, a bit of Lou Reed, a flavour of The Doors, a bit of this, a bit of that and I mix it all up and it tastes good. I’m like a cook when I make records in that I don’t follow any recipe.” Moments Of Madness creates a universe where Stranglers hardcore and newcomer alike can revel.” Record Collector, 4 Stars 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.

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. 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. Lasagna” is equal parts Graham Parker and The Stones’ “Not Fade Away” and is a moment of light and fun on a record that isn’t exactly full of either. More typical is the heavy, claustrophobic air that swirls around on “Heartbreak At Seven”. But my goodness it is done well. A high watermark and a modern-day masterpiece, Moments of Madnessis being tipped as the most significant album of Hugh’s career. Cornwell’s bleeding heart is exposed in a growling rendition of ‘Thrown Away’ that merrily stomps along marauding on its way. ‘Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)’ is punked right up with Cornwell spitting out the chorus with anti-obsequious venom.

The former Stranglers frontman is coming out of the wilderness…

Well, I’m constantly looking for these different color Teles. But I’ll tell you one thing that I stopped and looked at because I was scratching my head. It was one of these relics. I can’t fathom what the attraction is about a relic guitar. I mean, the guitar is made to look like it’s been used, and it’s battered and beaten up. And suddenly, it’s 10 times the price?