Love with the Proper Stranger

Love with the Proper Stranger is the debut album by the American rock band the Aquanettas, released in 1990. A video was produced for the album's lead single, "Diplomat". Production All four band members contributed to the songwriting; they also worked with outside writers. Nettwerk Records intentionally distorted the band photo on the album's cover, so that the group would not be perceived as merely a "girl group". Critical reception Trouser Press wrote: "Without pushing it as a gimmicky signature, singer/guitarist Deborah Schwartz’s mighty voice is redolent of West Coast ’60s folkrockers like the Mamas and the Papas (and, therefore, the early Bangles as well); drummer Stephanie Seymour’s high harmonies enhance and elevate the effect, as do the acoustic strummings and Jill Richmond’s tradition-packed lead guitar interjections." The Washington Post thought that the Aquanettas "aren't significantly retooling garage-rock, but they are keeping the engine warm," writing that the "melodic and vigorous ... tunes are vaguely Go-Go-ish, but more rakish." The New York Times deemed the music "classic, basic rock-and-roll: just rugged guitar riffs and lyrics about the more bothersome aspects of romance."