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.

Really surprised by this one, kept it fresh and interesting

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Si cet album avait une couleur, ce serait transparent

British rock from the 70s might be my new favorite thing. Reminds me of a lot the newer stuff I'm listening to (Vaccines, Kooks, Dandy Warhols)

best album EVER..

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

Их нотки есть у строукс, за новаторство 5

love this

Bella scoperta

Not the kind of music I usually listen to, but very good!

I cant believe this wasn't on my radar before. This is just fun from start to finish. A really pleasant surprise. I look forward to hearing more from them. Seriously, how did I not hear them before today?

This was great.

Punk rock setentero. Vinilo.

A beautiful album. Kept me hooked till the last min.

Unbelievable stuff. Came across it myself a few weeks ago. It got me through my thesis. Very original sound.

The Stranglers vs. the Wokes. I know who I'd rather listen to. They manage to offend just about everyone. Man that bass, that keyboard.........I love these guys. This is seminal 70's UK punk.

Very good album, didn't know them

Punk classic

At last a true classic

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!

very cool

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

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.

PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN

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.

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

Brilliant album

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

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

Punk perfection. Easiest 5 ever.

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.

Love the keyboard and grungy vocals

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

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!

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

Standout track: Peaches

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

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

I like the punk rock vibes with the keyboard combo

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.

Never heard before, absolutely loved it

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

hell yeah.

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

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

Some really good songs on here!

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!

Pink Floyd meets AC/DC

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

Great bass throughout. Peaches!!

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.

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

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.

Cool! 5/5

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.

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!

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!

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.

relisten. very cool

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

Top tier, as always.

Loved it!

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 👍👍

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

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.

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.

Fabulous

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

Proggy in part, punk in others... sprinkled with some classics!!!

Another solid choice from a band Id never heard of, old school punk aesthetic from the UK

This was oddly enjoyable. '70s punk has a totally different feel, yet is somewhat familiar to bands like the Ramones. I liked how melodic everything felt. A bit too much organ at times, but maybe that's just my preference. 4 stars.

Bowie X Clash. Weird, but good. Peaches and London Lady esp.

I understand why people like Neil Young, but I don't particularly enjoy him, and listening to a full album of his music is a bit of a chore for me. There are certainly some things to like about this album, but, but, but 3/5

i liked this.. sounded like bowie b-sides stuff, better than the black star bowie crap earlier this week

Similar to Jethro tull

Great

Fun punk

Primer punto... el título me fascinó, no sé por qué, quizá solo me ha agradado siempre la notación en latín para las ratas pero me gustó; aún más cuando entendí por qué se llama así (more on this ahead). Dos, decía que son punk... suena realmente muy poco a punk, suena más a banda de garage con unos toques de psicodelia; ese órgano le viene muy bien a su música y está bastante bien manejado, incluso en las partes en que está casi rayando en copia de órgano de los Doors suena bien. Musicalmente solo puedo decir que es agradable, este "no punk" psicodélico que casi suena popeado y pegajoso. Eso es la música pero vaya que si hay más que decir... Por partes; no se qué tanta atención le pusieron pero tiene algunas letras un poco.... problemáticas para hoy en día. Desde el inicio tiene dulzuras como “Someday, I’m going to smack your face” o “I got morbid fascination, gonna beat you till you drop." Normalmente soy de dar contexto al tiempo en que se hizo la música y no tratar de imponer reglas o maneras de ver las cosas que no estaban patentes en su momento pero aquí va casi rayando en mi límite de lo que suena normal para la época y lo que suena realmente misógino sin importar el año. A pesar de lo anterior en verdad que la música te lleva a seguir escuchando; es realmente hipnotizante y bien hecha en su estilo tan sui generis. Las letras van mejorando y al menos no se estancan en los temas delicados aunque no los dejan del todo; tenemos desde canciones sobre la destrucción de Toulouse según Nostradamus, pero inevitablemente regresa de nuevo a lo que se siente como un ataque bastante directo a una periodista a la nada sutil "Making love to the Mercy Tunnel with a sausage." O sea vamos que del Me Too no se van a llevar un premio y si pones realmente en el Face que escuchaste este disco y te gusto una buena proporción de la gente te va a medio linchar. Por otro lado podría tratar de defenderlo un poco tomando en cuenta que todo el odio que escupe a las mujeres es en misma cantidad el que se echa a sí mismo. No trata de hacerse superior o decir que fuera mejor que toda la mierda que esta diciendo de otros. De repente, después de líneas tan líricas como “Is she trying to get out of that clitoris” en la segunda mitad la banda se vuelve francamente ambiciosa no solo en mostrar sus habilidades instrumentales sino también líricamente. "Ugly" es una dosis aun mayor de psicodelia que aperte cita el poema de Ozymandias de Shelley; después termina en un gran final con 'Down the Sewer' con los decididamente poco punk siete minutos que dura. Al borde del territorio del álbum conceptual, es una historia posapocalíptica de llegar a la gran ciudad a través de las alcantarillas y encontrar que la vida no es mejor que lo que había abajo. Un ratón de granja que se cuela en la gran ciudad solo para convertirse en otro rattus norvegicus rodeado de latas de coca-cola vacías. De verdad el final parece otra banda. Disco muy interesante, problemático en estos días, fuerte, decadente, exuda odio y frustración pero termina con un anhelo de poder levantarse más allá de la podredumbre y corrupción. No es un disco agradable, no es bonito, pero es muy muy honesto. Hacía rato que un disco no me dejaba pensando tanto, a pesar de escucharse musicalmente simple y pegajoso terminó siendo bastante más.

it was okay, not my favourite but not the worst

Die wollen‘s wissen und geben Gas; badass Bass, licks für die Ewigkeit, Schnodderstimme mit Genugtuung im Wiederkauen. Was ist das denn ? Hammond Punk? Rock’n’Rave ? Könnte heute erscheinen, wenn die Perfektion nicht schon in den 70ern erschienen wäre. restless 4.2