Euroman Cometh

Euroman Cometh is the 1979 debut solo album by the Stranglers' bassist J. J. Burnel.[1] Musically, it was an attempt at incorporating electronic sounds into rock. Lyrically, it evolved around the idea of a United States of Europe in the context of the Cold War. "A Europe riddled with american values and soviet subversion is a diseased sycophantic old whore: a Europe strong, united and independent is a child of the future", states Burnel on the inner sleeve.

Euroman Cometh
Studio album by
J. J. Burnel
Released6 April 1979
Recorded1978 at TW Studios (London SW6) and Eden Studios (London W4)
GenreNew wave
Length37:10
LabelUnited Artists
ProducerAlan Winstanley, Martin Rushent, J.J. Burnel
J. J. Burnel chronology
Euroman Cometh
(1979)		 Fire and Water (Ecoutez Vos Murs)
(1983)

Guest musicians were Peter Howells of The Drones (drums on tracks three, five and six), track nine featured Brian James of The Damned (guitar), Lew Lewis (harmonica) and Carey Fortune of Chelsea (drums).[1] All other instruments were played by Burnel.

The album reached number 40 in the UK Albums Chart in April 1979.[2] The track "Freddie Laker" was released as a single on 13 April 1979, backed with the non-album track "Ozymandias".

Printed on the sleeve is a tribute to the Meriden Motorcycle Co-operative that manufactured Triumph motorcycles between 1976 and 1983. The tribute reads, "The Triumph Workers Co-operative at Meriden have proved that personally motivated enterprise coupled with group interest is a necessary ingredient in successful socialism and the sham they call nationalisation could only be suggested and perpetrated by enemies of the people." The engine of Burnel's 750cc Triumph Bonneville T140, manufactured by the Meriden Co-operative, is heard during the track "Triumph (Of the Good City)".

Track listing

All tracks composed by J.J. Burnel, except where indicated[1]

  1. "Euroman"
  2. "Jellyfish"
  3. "Freddie Laker (Concorde and Eurobus)"
  4. "Euromess"
  5. "Deutschland Nicht Uber Alles"
  6. "Do the European"
  7. "Tout Comprendre"
  8. "Triumph (Of the Good City)"
  9. "Pretty Face" (Chris Boyle, Gavin Daneski, Ralph Worman, Vic Sendall)
  10. "Crabs"
  11. "Eurospeed (Your own Speed)"

Track three is a homage to British airliner entrepreneur Sir Freddie Laker. The album cover features a photograph of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. "Pretty Face" is a cover of song by 1960s R&B group The Beat Merchants.

References
  1. Endeacott, Robert (2014-07-01). Peaches: A Chronicle Of The Stranglers 1974-1990. Soundcheck Books. pp. 67–68. ISBN 9780957570047.
  2. "Official Albums Chart Top 75: 22 April 1979 - 28 April 1979". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  • Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
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