Rattus Norvegicus

I saw The Stranglers in 1977 and it was terrifying. Respectable looking men went into the toilets in suits to get changed and came out covered in lipstick and safety pins, unrecognisably different. JJ Burnel jumped into the crowd in the middle of a song and beat up someone, no idea why, but the band ignored it and kept on playing. He got back up on stage, plugged back in and resumed playing as if nothing had happened. The music was tremendously exciting, though I didn't like punk until 30 years later.

More than anything, the fucking organ slaps. This is great new wave/punk/with a pub Horror vibe to it.

Wow, something from the British punk wave that doesn't immediately suck ass. I actually liked this from start to finish and it has really memorable songs. The sound may be of its time but the performance, especially the vocals, are really tight on this one.

Stuart Pearce has seen this mob live over 1000 times. Psycho clearly has impeccable taste 👌

Really surprised by this one, kept it fresh and interesting

Women are objects and Jews are not people in the world of The Stranglers. I still have some reflection to do about why I'm okay with excusing this type of bigotry in other artists, but for now, I'll say that this shit put me in a bad mood today. Being a dick doesn't make you punk. Best track: Goodbye Toulouse

Possibly the most enjoyably fun punk album. This or Ian Dury. Sparky, snotty and cynical, with possibly the best drummer and tons of Hammond organ to piss off the purists. The run from Hanging Around to Ugly is some of the most fun you can have with your trousers on.

Well, hello. Please come in. The Stranglers are one of the few bands I haven't heard that I hold no prejudices about, so this was as welcome as some alone time in the shower. I can't say it defied my expectations, because I didn't have any, but I can say it was a total thrill. Lively, tumbledown, and so assured. The drummer ain't afraid to lash out, the guitar's got that shark bite quality, and the vocals are, um, strangled. Meaty stuff. An eight-minute medley in ninth place is ambitious by usual standards, but these lads are bold as brass, sticking extended instrumentals that pack a whallop into the two opening tracks. Having listened to 2021's Bright Green Field recently, the maladroit funk and dorky vocals on 'Peaches' sounds like a clear reference point for Squid. Same lyrical brand of disaffected nonsense, too. So far up my alley the street lights are a mere pinprick.

Mix of punk and classic rock. Lots of organ, reasonably accessible and melodic but all very average. Nothing stands out other than the low organ jam in Down The Sewer. As the kids would say, it’s very mid. 5.2/10

Punk rock polka. The lyrics may have been “ok” in 1977 but definitely didn’t age well. The Stranglers don’t stand out for me.

Absolutely elctricifying album. Loved the driving bass and viscerally sneering vocals.

Very cool, very early punk album. I liked it a lot.

best album EVER..

(Fuck Yeah) This Album Is Incredible [I love you Dave Greenfield R.I.P] 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑

I quite like the Classic Albums documentaries that review the recording of classic albums (like it says on the tin). I find, however that, like Dimery's 1001 albums, there is a tendency to focus on big budget mainstream records. The most boring episode ever was on Steely Dan's Aja; "we just hired the best session players and went into the studio and did a million takes until we got the perfect result". Personally, I'm more interested in bands that can bang it out in a quick yet compelling way. Steve Albini was the patron saint of recording in a rough and ready but super exciting way. Don't let too much time and money tempt you into polishing off what is exciting about your band. Which is my roundabout way of saying that I really enjoyed Rattus Norvegicus by the Stranglers. It is the type of album I often find more compelling; recorded in a week in a cheap studio, basically reflecting their live set. You can tell that the Stranglers were a well-honed live act. They are tight and powerful. they know exactly what they are doing, but are still having fun with it. Martin Rushent records them really well; he leaves enough rough edges on to make it feel exciting and a bit dangerous, which suits their material really well. Were they really a punk band? Personally, I don't care that much about semiotic hair-splitting, but I really dig their performances. The rhythm, section is tight and muscular (I especially like the beefy bass tone), and Dave Greenfield's keyboards always add excitement and charm. Normally I would find keyboard solos (as in Down in the Sewer) insufferable (I'm looking at you Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, et al.), but I don't feel like Greenfield ever loses sight of the fact that you should be able to dance to their songs. The vocals lean towards that particularly British speak-singing intonation (although not as bad as Mark E. Smith thank god). There are a bunch of terrific tunes on here (Peaches, Get a Grip On Yourself, Hanging Around), and even the album tracks are energetic and bracing. Maybe Princess of the Streets is below par, but the record overall is a rip-roaring 40 minutes of high-octane rock and roll. Would buy. 3.5 stars, rounding up for not testing my patience.

I can’t believe a band called “The Stranglers” would have lyrics that didn’t age well.

Gritty, grimy, gross, gorgeous? Maybe I'm forgetting another G word to describe the tone of this straight up classic UK punk album. The tracks here keep you guessing right up until the end, and nothing feels like it belongs in a box.

The musical equivalent of a city rat, slick with slime, crawling from the gutter to leer at passing suits.

I had one of my best Balloon Monkey Tower Defense games with this album in the background. I made it to round 146! All thanks to the humorous energy of The Stranglers, no doubt!

This album really straddles the line between punk, hard rock, while incorporating elements of art rock and psychedelia into a palatable and exciting package. There’s a sense of danger and sneer to this music which is appealing. These songs are interesting enough musically but accessible enough to be at home in a pub or a college dorm room.

These guys are fun. I like these songs. They are silly, angry, rude, and catchy. 5 stars.

Would definitely listen to this album again. Great english punk sound.

Si cet album avait une couleur, ce serait transparent

Punk: complete with that annoying nasal/throat singing style that I’ve come to know and hate. It wasn’t as bad some of the other wankery tripe in this style that I’ve been served on here… but that doesn’t mean it’s good.

Super versatile amd creative. Ska, punk, rock-steady and pure 70s rock. Absurdly great album

Excellent!

Old school punk is so fucking cool man

Jävlar vad gött. Det är som en blandning av soft boys, Roxy music och typ clash. Det är punkigt men sofistikerat och spännande. Bäst är nog goodbye Toulouse och peaches.

Rattus Norvegicus is cock rock done right. I've always loved it because, in a time where every punk took itself seriously, these guys made an album that pokes at those who thought being a punk was akin to being the second coming of Christ. And it's not like these guys were all bark but no bite. These guys could back up anything they say with an artistique brand of swagger whose backbone is the rhythm section, which is coincidentally (or not) in the forefront of the cover. They give songs like Peaches, Hanging Around, and Get A Grip On Yourself something highly memorable, an infectious beat to thump my restless legs to. Vocally, Hugh Cromwell's growl and sneer perfectly fit the M.O., and his way of expression is something many tried to emulate. But just as they could poke fun at the punks by being vulgar, codeless, and sexual, they could also poke by incorporating musical styles that punks swore to hang publicly, blues on Princess of the Streets, and even prog in Down in the Sewer. It's a favorite of mine in the punk genre, mainly because the mocking emulation of punk done by these 30-something year olds is done better than some youngsters who are "fed up" with society and "punk at heart". ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seeding the seedy.

I quite liked this.

Cranky but always clever, deep but imminently listenable. A startling debut that keeps its relevance and fun year after year.

"Bigots," "The lyrics didn't age well" "Troublesome mysogynistic" Dear me, it really seems people find it hard to recognize the playful irony and satire present in most of the songs on this album. Converations lifted straight from the gutters and pubs and put on record for all to hear. Absolutely abrasive and pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable—that was the point! The remainder of the album includes all the essential elements: tracks that explore mundane lives, disillusionment, feelings of isolation, and the collapse of political and social systems, all infused with sharp observations on these themes, which was characteristic of the period. It also incorporates influences from earlier psychedelic rock, echoing the sound of The Doors, featuring a Manzarek-style organ that plays its tunes in a slightly hazy fashion. The strength of *Rattus Norvegicus* is its capacity to both challenge and satisfy. The band’s take on the rise of the punk movement would also define their unique style in later albums, distinguishing them from the formulaic one-dimensional groups that were emerging during that time. 4,5 *

My favourite album of all time. I’ve probably listened to this record more than any other. It’s filled with fantastic songs end to end. I’m biased I know but definitely deserves its place on the list

Love this band. First track is a keeper.

this is really good!!! i’ll come back to this in the future, don’t know when but i will most definitely revisit this absolute hottie of an album. i thought i wasn’t going to like this album initially because it’s not something i usually listen to but it’s just THAT good xx

Another band where a greatest hits would give you a much better idea of their range. Peaches is great. Really great. The stranglers were seen as the first of the new wave bands. In 1977. They are that far ahead. Golden brown and duchess were to come. I give this five not because of its inherent worth but because the band is awesome.

This slaps - the organ really knocks everything into high gear, it's great! I see quite a few other reviews talking about the questionable lyrics and, yeah, that's an appropriate reaction - "Sometimes" is pretty egregious. 😬 On the other hand, show me an album from the 70s that doesn't have problematic content... 🤷 Fave tracks - "Hanging Around", "Peaches" and "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" are all pretty iconic. Of the tracks I was less familiar with, "Down in the Sewer" was great!

Talk about a band that knows its strengths. Sometimes opens with arguably the one thing that sets the Stranglers apart from other bands of the time, Dave Greenfield's magical keyboard work. I have seen these guys live, unfortunately Jean-Jacques Burnel was the only remaining original member on the tour but the spirit, humour and musical talent of the band were still present. I have TRIED to certain bald, retarded, impotent and gay members of this group but have been met with a lukewarm response. Which is understandable, the band isn't necessarily for everyone. Odd to call this a 'punk' band, though they have the aesthetics of punk with makeup and leather, the musical style here has more in common with the Doors than it does with the Sex Pistols, which makes sense considering they're cited as a direct influence. Their sound would drift into goth rock/pop in the 80s and 90s and they would prove to be just as competent in writing songs for those genres as well. These guys are an absolute joy to have included in this project. Some songs on here are ones that I had to grow to love over time (Peaches, London Lady) and some here that hooked me straight away like Hanging Around and (Get A) Grip [on Yourself]. While some bands have stories about meeting at school, uni or being childhood friends, The Stranglers was founded because the drummer Jet Black RIP was a successful ice cream van and liquor store operator who thought it would be cool to be in a rock band. Overall, this is a stellar debut effort from a band that would go on to transform their sound overtime with mostly good results. I'm not even going to try to hide my bias here, I love the Stranglers. Highlights: Sometimes, London Lady, Hanging Around, Peaches, (Get A) Grip [on Yourself], Ugly, Down in the Sewer (Medley)

Incredible. This is why I use this album generator.

Really enjoyed this having never listened to The Stranglers before apart from Golden Brown (which I hate). This album will be in my rotation for sure.

This album rips and I absolutely loved it.

I love this album. Hanging Around is probably my favorite Stranglers tune. Peaches and Go Buddy Go are up there as well. Even though they get lumped in with punk, I think the keyboards make them sound more like new wave crossed with pub rock. Some songs remind me more of Television than the Damned or the Buzzcocks. Labels are dumb. This is great.

Classic songs on this album, and they have such a strong unique sound. I love the Stranglers

Fabulous

In case you ever wondered what raw power sounded like, look no further. Nasty bass, snarling vocals, heavy organ, this album absolutely drips attitude and punk ethos. "IV"? More like "V"! Been a long time fan of these guys and this album falls in my personal top 100 records of all time. This is a rare gem on this list that has been rather stale the last few weeks.

Listen to this album most days in our house. One of the greatest albums in my opinion. Love the music, love the band even without Hugh Cornwall. This was the start of many great albums to come.

The Stranglers are largely ignored by the current punk scene. Maybe because they're not politically correct enough or maybe because their later work is not very good. This album is great though. Of the original punk bands, they were obviously some of the best musicians. The songs have enough variation. Production is good. I love the bass sound. Favorite song: get a grip

Absolutely brilliant album from one of the best bands to emerge from the post punk era. The distinctive voice of Hugh Cornwall accompanied by that energetic bass and the overall unique sound that this band produced. Everything about this band is super cool. What an album title too. Fab. Loved it 👍👍

Loved it!

Top tier, as always.

This is the most range I've heard on a punk album besides Marquee Moon and London Calling. Almost every single track brings you an entirely unexpected sound or feel, and I cannot get enough of it. Punk organ slaps unbelievably. 70s/80s punk is becoming very close to being an auto 5 star for me. Picking a favorite track here is very tough, but I'll go with Princess of the Streets and Down in the Sewer

relisten. very cool

Any music in the world for me gets bonus point if it gets my parrot dancing, as she’s usually a very reserved little petal. Literally 10 seconds into this album, she was headbanging away and having a great time. I love the mix of basic punk sound with the synths that gives The Stranglers their sound, and makes them so easily identifiable. Nothing is overly complex here, but it absolutely gets the job done and is enjoyable along the way.

A band where I like all the songs I know, but wasn't sure how consistent a full album would be. I am glad to now know that it is excellent - probably better as a whole than the Sex Pistols album from around the same time. Punk with a keyboard doesn't sound like a recipe for success, but it absolutely works. Clearly shows the link from pub rock to punk, and even shows the way punk would morph after its heyday - a brilliant album. All of their next few albums are now on my (rapidly expanding) "beyond 1,001 albums" list!

Had never heard of this band before. They’ve got a fun, unique, kinda carnivalesque punk rock sound. Haven’t heard much punk with an organ player before!

One of those albums I've never heard, but probably should have. These guys were getting banned from the BBC before I turned 5. Love it.

Cool! 5/5

It's punk but there's more sophistication than most. Opener 'Sometimes' sounds a bit like The Doors 'Love Her Madly' (especially the keyboards). 'Goodbye Tolouse' is in waltz time (3/4) and closes with a barrage of sound effects. 'London Lady' has some hilariously risque lyrics and an awesome guitar solo. 'Princess of the Streets' and 'Down in the Sewer' both sound like a lunatic asylum crossed with a fairground ghost train ride. And 'Peaches' and 'Get A Grip' are familiar classic (and nutty) singles. I absolutely love this band's sense of wit, irony, satire and the absurd; only a corpse would fail chuckle at the goon-like humor. Debuts don't get much better than this zany album.

Fabulous album, love this! Still sounds innovative and fresh 🏖️🏖️🏖️🏖️🍑🍑🍑🍑

Snarling vocals over howling Hammond Organ. The "middle" 3 tracks of Hanging Around, Peaches and (in particular for me) Get A Grip are probably amongst my favourite punk tracks.

Great bass throughout. Peaches!!

cool sometimes goodbye toulouse london lady hanging around get a grip on yourself down in the sewer

Pink Floyd meets AC/DC

Wow this was great. I'd heard Peaches before but nothing else on this album, and I'd never heard of the Stranglers despite liking lots of similar stuff. This was a great find for me today!

Some really good songs on here!

Very fun listen and pretty blown away by the consistency. Feels very ahead of its time for 1977, reminds me a bit of an evolution of what Sparks was doing and incorporating deeper synth layers to it. Very enjoyable experience! Top tracks: Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, London Lady, Hanging Around, Get A Grip On Yourself, Ugly, Down In The Sewer

Great project. Weird in all the best ways, this is making my rotation

hell yeah.

not a bad album. I'd listen to it again

An album I bought at the time on vinyl. It might be labelled Punk but to my prog rock infuenced ears back in 1977 I heard a lot more than the 3 chord trick punk bands around then. This is probably because the Strangler members were a bit older than the average punk rocker and by the addition of Dave Greenfield the keyboard player in the lineup. His swirling organ sound can be heard on most tracks giving the songs an extra layer. I love a rock keyboardist, Emerson, Wakeman, Lord etc, but Greenfield’s organ solo accompanied by Burnel’s thundering bass at the end of Down In The Sewer is magnificent and one of my top keyboard moments. But the Stranglers were and have proven to be great musicians and some of the songs on here are memorable pop tunes. Peaches is particular is a song everyone will know, exceptional guitar riff and cheeky lyrics which will always come into mind (well mine anyway) when on a beach somewhere. It was great to sit down with this album again and remind myself how great the songs are on this album.

I listened a couple times. It didn't stick with me but I enjoyed the energy.

I love these guys. They have a fresh, different sound on every track. I love that they have a punk edge to them without it all being bleating into the microphone to the same chords played over and over. Give them their due for having the guts highlight the keyboards. "Sometimes", "Peaches", and "Get a Grip" are great tracks.

totally cool, and a total surprise. great songwriting and bass playing

A mix of punk and pop, without sounding like pop punk. This almost prog in some ways. While obviously punk, there's hints of blues, jazz, boogie and psychedelia that you wouldn't expect. I'd heard "Peaches" before (I guess it was a hit), but "Goodbye Toulouse" and "Hanging Around" are the standout tracks for me. This is a solid album that I suspect would get better with subsequent listens.

Classic Stranglers album. One of my favorites. '[Get a] Grip [on Yourself]' is my favorite track on the album.

Never heard before, absolutely loved it

Oh this is really good, like really good. It seems quite well timed as it's got a fucking organ playing which is very goth/Halloween and it slaps.

I like the punk rock vibes with the keyboard combo

First time listening to this and positively impressed. I will definitely relisten and explore The Stranglers's catalog.

Excellent album, well ahead of its time in a lot of ways.

Standout track: Peaches

I like the sound, the guitar playing, the keyboards. Everything stands out.

So far the best punk album on the list, in my opinion. First of all, repetitiveness of the beat wasn't that off-putting. In fact, the music, mainly drum and bass line, was amplifying absolutely great vocal work. If we take a look at 70s and 80 punk and post punk albums, that have appeared on this list so far, then it is easily the best singer out there. Exceptional stuff, no filler songs, everything is at least above average. Additionally, there is no way I won't mention "Golden Brown", even if that song wasn't included in this album. One of the greatest melodies ever, it is going to influence the score regardless of the rules. I think in normal circumstances this album would receive a 4 stars from me, but to highlight how much better it is than other punk records, I will give it a full 5 stars. Great album!

What the hell is this oddly technical prog punk mix and where has it been my entire life???

Love the keyboard and grungy vocals

Killer album through and through. Peaches had been on the soundtrack of Reservoir Dogs maybe(?). Anyhow, it was in a movie some time back and I had thus found entry to this album a while ago and had found it lackluster, but apparently my tastes have improved or degraded...And I loved it. It's that gritty English sound and a very unique one. Love.

Punk perfection. Easiest 5 ever.

Hört ett 10-tal låtar med Stranglers förut men ingen av dem är från denna platta. Att jag missat den? Den är ju lysande.

С начала я подумал, что это будет диско из 80-ых, а потом они начали петь про то, что надо бить девушек в лицо)) Чертов британский панк с диско-синтами. Местами прикольно, но уж слишком много делается упора на проигрыши (в итоге и проиграли сами себе иногда). Вообще синт напоминает синт из The Doors и это круто. Алкоальбом: диско (коктейль, не стиль) в пабе с мужиками пьющими пиво

Brilliant album

This is certainly an interesting specimen of 70’s British punk. As someone who is disinclined to love punk music, I started off apprehensive. But this is really well done! The organ was a particular highlight for me. “Down in the Sewer” was a totally epic track! Incredible organ solo at the end! This would be an ideal soundtrack for a groovy haunted house (something I've dreamed of attending ever since I say episode one of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1977 - someone please recreate this and invite me!). Weird and fun!

A true classic. The deep baritone of singer Hugh Cornwall, alongside the Farfifa organ sells the album.

Boom! Album opens off groovy, baby! Rock n Roll, let's gooo!! The album has some great metaphors within the lyrics, little double meanings that increase the listening pleasure. I was surprised at how much i enjoyed this album, I really thought I would lose interest as it moved on, but my attention was retained through till the end. Great album.

PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN

Sounds like a precursor to a lot of my favourite bands/genres. Strong lead guitar, campy vocals, absolute demon on the bass, solid spurts of organ. Verging on post punk I guess. A few allusion to what was to come from the 80s. Actually yeah very post punk. I'm super familiar with Peaches but I have no idea why - sounds so much like it could be a song by Shame. Bit of a powerhouse album as you get into the second half. Love the heavy guitar/bass being offset by the organ and sax - eg Down in the Sewer. Bit of a grower but it really winds out nicely. Fk me it just keeps getting stronger at Go Buddy Go.

Fun musicality, ska adjacent, they have fun with their voices

very cool

T3B 1. Down In The Sewer (Medley) 2. Princess Of The Streets 3. Sometimes Such an absolute banger. No bad songs. Great vibe, structure, and complexity. Had trouble narrowing out my top 3 bangers. It’s beautiful. It’s fun. It’s also a 5!

At last a true classic