Norfolk Coast

Norfolk Coast is the fifteenth studio album by The Stranglers, and was released on 16 February 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". Norfolk Coast peaked at No. 70 in the UK Albums Chart in February, for one week's duration in that listing. The album was well received by reviewers and fans alike, showing a return to form of the band. It also spawned the band's UK first Top 40 hit single for more than a decade, "Big Thing Coming" (No. 31 in February 2004 in the UK Singles Chart). The album saw 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", a west country cider house dedicated to Edwin Tucker, who committed suicide in 1747. According to Warne, the song was written in the room in which he died.. This was also the last album to feature Paul Roberts on lead vocals.