'Suite XVI' builds on the more traditional trademark sound of The Stranglers that was rediscovered on the commercially successful 'Norfolk Coast' and was further galvanized here by the new, lean, stripped-down fourpiece. Many of the songs - or at least the initial ideas - were conceived when JJ and Baz decamped to Looe in Cornwall, in 2005 to focus on the writing. In Warne, Burnel had found a new partner with whom he had truly gelled. Later returning to their West Country studios, the whole band then developed and recorded 'Suite XVI' which was produced by Louie Nicastro. In this 2CD Edition, CD1 features the original eleven-track album. The songs cover a real range from the full-on exuberance, bouncy, infectious melody contrasts, to aggression, and topical tracks covering many, sometimes dark, subject matters within the writing and meaning of the song. CD2, titled 'Suite XVI' - Extra Suite', includes eight previously unreleased recordings. There are blistering live takes of seven of the album tracks; six of which are previously unreleased on CD. They were mostly recorded in the UK between 2007 and 2019. The three live acoustic tracks include an unreleased solo performance by Baz of 'Bless You (Save You, Spare You, Damn You)'. Also included are several other previously unreleased tracks and an album talk-through by the band with journalist John Robb.
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