While the Hamster Wheel of Time™ spins ever more swiftly, things are clearly moving beyond my ability to keep up at the advanced age of 60. I received the notice from Department S seemingly ages ago about their new single with guest guitar from The Stranglers’ Baz Warne. It was released on Bandcamp when we were away on family business this summer in August and since then, we’ve made another family trip and it only feels like we’re standing on terra firms right now. It was this morning when I remembered to head to Bandcamp and see what the band managed to do this time, since the last single that brought them to my ears was such a triumph.

The slightest hint of intro chords quickly ceded the spotlight to Phil Thompson’s urgent rhythm guitar and vocals. Simon Bowley’s motorik drumming pulled me right into the slipstream of the song. One which matched the vibe of a song like “White Wedding” albeit with better vocals! The rhythm section set the commanding pace and I loved the backbeat fills that Bowley slipped into the mix.

The twin guitars of Thompson with Warne leaned hard into soaring widescreen melody with Thompson giving up the cinematic textural chords as Warne brought it home with the vivid solo in the climax; offering a Knopfleresque tone delivered at a much faster tempo and attack than we’re used to hearing. The decision to fade out on the solo certainly leave me wanting more, so its to our benefit that this DL is a single edit of the track, which will be on the upcoming Department S album. Check it out below.

As you can hear, it tasty goods indeed, and ours for the pittance of a £1.00 DL. I enjoyed the presence of Baz Warne on the mix and am reminded that when Hugh Cornwell exited The Strnglers, I didn’t care for replacement vocalist Paul Roberts one iota, and stopped paying any attention to The Stranglers in spite of my approval [to say the least] of Messrs. Greenfield, Burnel, and Black. It was only recently that I found out that Baz Warne has been vocalist/guitarist for almost 20 years and I really should sample some of the post Y2K Stranglers to see if Warne hits closer to my idea of The Stranglers’ target. Based on his guitar performance here, I feel that I’ll be in good hands. If you agree, then D.J. hit that button!

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