Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Cranky but always clever, deep but imminently listenable. A startling debut that keeps its relevance and fun year after year.
Highlights: Sometimes, Peaches, London Lady. In a nutshell: "tell me what you're so fazed about" Very Modern Lovers/70s new wave/punk rock lite. Punchy vocals that match the drums. Gorgeous bass. And yes, you can use organ in music without it sounding hackneyed! Evidence is here, folks! Overall: 7/10
Love me some 80s punk
Better than expected.
Esto está bastante bien para la epoca
Good album. Sounds like it was very inspirational to early punk music to me.
My dad loves The Stranglers, having gone to their concerts several times. I also like them, but not as much as he does. This album is very energetic, which I like. It gets better in the second half. My favourite track off the album is "Goodbye Toulouse". 4 stars for "Rattus Norvegicus".
Different..... Not the typical UK punk sound, but absolutely the attitude. The organ was a nice touch and very unexpected. It's almost like the crossroad of classic rock, punk and new wave.
No. ✌
This is a surprisingly awesome and eclectic album. It feels like Idles was transported back to the early 1970s. Also, the synth player carries. They are the most electric part of the songs. Best Songs: Sometimes, Hanging Around, (Get A) Grip [on Yourself], Down in the Sewer, Go Buddy Go Worst Songs: Peasant in the Big Shitty
Reminds me of a punkier version of 'The Sparks' in many ways. It was a pretty fun listen, but I didn't really find much to connect with here. It is, however, filled to the brim with these very charming synth melodies and tones, like the ones on 'Princess of the Streets', 'Ugly', and 'Sometimes'. The new-wave leanings with those kooky synths were easily the highlight because I didn't find the vocals to be all that interesting (though still charming, nonetheless, like on 'Peaches' and 'Grip'). I did enjoy the borderline Jim Morrison impression on 'Princess of the Streets'. So yeah, I'm not too crazy about this one, nor do I have much to say about it. I think it tries to do a bit too much for my liking. Songs like 'Hanging Around, 'Princess of the Streets', 'Peaches', and the final synth part of 'Down in the Sewer' were still great standouts.
First of all, absolutely fuck rats. If you see evidence of rats, email rats@gov.ab.ca or call 310-FARM toll-free. Second of all, this album was ok. rats: hated. (⌐■_■)
The Stranglers have passed me by all this time, although I would hear the name come up every once in a while. There was a local band when I was growing up, called the Operators. They were a sort of punk band, and their main distinguishing feature was that they had an organist. I think, in hindsight, they must have been inspired by the Stranglers. They didn’t sound evil though, and the evil vibe of this record was the best part.
Coś wydarzyło się w UK w okolicach 1977 roku. Sex Pistols, The Clash i The Stranglers zadebiutowali dokładnie w tym samym czasie i wypuścili totalne bangery. Wydaje mi się, że z całej tej ekipy (dodałbym może jeszcze do tego Ramones, choć to amerykański zespół i zadebiutował rok wcześniej) The Stranglers najmniej się zapisali w pamięci, ale też moim zdaniem grali najbardziej ambitną muzykę z całego tego zestawienia. Rattus to punk, ale melodyjny, delikatny i szukający formy wyrazu poza szorstkimi riffami i szybką, ostrą perkusją. Jest tu sporo fajnych kawałków, od otwierającego "Sometimes", przez "Goodbye Toulouse", "Peaches" (chyba mój ulubiony), aż po "Choosie Susie". Mamy też interesujący medley "Down in the Sewer". W zasadzie prawie o każdym utworze jestem w stanie coś powiedzieć i po kilku przesłuchaniach większość z nich dobrze zapadła mi w pamięć. Z każdym kolejnym przesłuchaniem (a łącznie miałem ich chyba 4) ten album podoba mi się coraz bardziej. Najpierw myślałem o trójce, ale kończę na bardzo mocnej czwórce.
Sometimes you wonder what were British people cooking with all this inbreading on the island. But when you hear british punk you just accept it beacause it was all worth it.
Debiut The Stranglers to brudny, nerwowy dokument późnych lat 70., w którym punk spotyka się z klawiszowym mrokiem i cynicznym humorem. "Peaches" i "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" mają w sobie bunt, ale też coś dziwnie dystansującego - jakby zespół był zbyt inteligentny, by naprawdę wierzyć w rewolucję, o której tworzy. Brzmienie jest cięższe niż u większości punkowych rówieśników, a momentami zahacza wręcz o pub rock. Solidny album. Słabe 4
So much shitter than I thought it would be
Pretty bad
Fine but not memorable
"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 *
Love the first song. Unfortunately it kind of goes on for the whole album? I found myself wishing for significantly more diversity.
Väldigt blandad skiva, både stilistiskt och hur mycket jag uppskattar de olika låtarna. Känner mig inte helt klar med vad jag tycker om helheten, väger någonstans mellan en 2a och en 3a just nu. Får bli en 2a tills vidare.
Klassisk punk. Utan Stranglers, ingen Viagra Boys. Det är kul, svängigt och rått.
Lame
Unmistakeably the Stranglers. Peaches...Walking on the beaches looking at the peaches... love it.
Decent enough to just about get a 4. I'd listened to bits of The Stranglers before, but never a whole album. It was actually a little New York Dollsish in parts - although I'd rather listen to them, despite my preference usually being for the British punk they infuluenced.
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
I get why some people would like this, I do see the appeal. But singing like this only gets so far.
Love this band. First track is a keeper.
4/10
I would have appreciated some nice angry 80s punk today but this wasn’t it.
6/10 Favorite Tracks: Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, Down In the Sewer Least Favorite Tracks: Princess of the streets, Peasant in the Big S****y, Ugly
The beginning of this album had me in a chokehold but the second half was meh
I often find punk rock overstimulating and aggressive. Like why are you so loud, and do you have anger issues? Not even singing in tune most of the time, and I don’t care for the unnecessarily long instrumentals. Also the lyrics are very questionable.
i feel like i should have liked this a lot more? maybe i wasn’t in the right mood today
Decently fun new wave, but nothing particularly special. I had a good time, through. 7/10
Cool album! Cool sound, punky and playful. Didn’t make a huge impression but I liked it
Really liked a lot of the instruments in this but the singer and lyrics kinda pissed me off
I'm sorry to say it but being from sweden is funny to me. its also hard to take you seriously when you're not only from sweden but you also named your first album IV... which is roman for four... do they like start counting at four in sweden? is this some extreme cultural difference that a good old fashioned north american guy like me can't understand? is the title of this album (which is just I guess the latin name for a rat...) some kinda dig at norway ? is that who they're planning to strangle? norwegians? rats??
Interesting choice. Back to the 70s punk era.
Never heard these guys before and they're sick. Synthy punk. Hell yeah.
couple decent songs then bleh
Goodbye Toulouse Peaches (Get a) Grip (On Yourself)
Very interesting
2 stars
Peaches // Down In The Sewer
Album isn't too good or particularly bad until Peaches. Peaches is straight up bad - which is surprising as it is one of their more popular songs (lol). Already had Golden Brown saved/liked on spotify but otherwise not familiar with The Stranglers. Get a grip is solid 4/5 Down in the sewer should have been the album closer because this is dragging on a bit (just checked the wiki and yep rest of the tracks are bonus - which i will be skipping thanks).
Hmm, another Bowie-like one. Not very musical so hard to assess the talent level of the voices. Too few instruments, sounds cheaply made. 2/5
Very familiar with the popular tracks on this album, but never sat and listened to the whole thing before, it was great! Love the stranglers, unique vocals, great basslines and wacky organ(?) business. Having Having around, Get a Grip and Peaches one after the other is mega, although those are easily the 3 best songs. Fav song: Peaches
Favourite song - Hanging around. 3.5 stars
You really can't go far wrong with the Stranglers
Jaime 3, Nuria 1-2
Some raw, 70's punk, complete with a surprising amount of the Hammond organ and electric piano. A pretty unique mix of genre and instrumentation when it was all said and done. "Peaches" was pretty cringy, but "Hanging Around" and "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" were both highlights, though.
3 - I knew that one song
Quite surprised that I liked this. Pretty tight recordings, pretty cool stuff. 3.7/5
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
when i saw i got a stranglers album today on my way to school i almost jumped up in joy, i'll let that speak for itself xx
New album to me and I absolutely love it! I have heard Prong’s cover of “(Get A) Grip [On Yourself]” which I didn’t realize was a cover after all these years until now. The band lands somewhere between The Doors, Gary Newman, The Strokes, Iggy, Bowie, etc. Just so many of the greats seem to either have influenced this band or were influenced by this band, depending on where they fall in the time line. I love the whirlwind interplay between the guitars, keys and bass, very busy but always seems to work. The drums have that perfect dry 70’s sound. The singers got all the attitude needed to front this band. Contemporary bands in this vein that come to mind would be Thee Oh Sees, Redd Kross, Telescreens, New Model Army, IDELS, High Vis, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, The Snuts, Gut Health, The Chisel, Oso Oso, Cola, Deadletter, and Font just to name a lot! 4.5
Can't say I've ever heard these guys, but I really like the opening song. Actually, I enjoyed every song after that, too. Kind of a 70's Doors. I'll be listening to these blokes a bit more. This would get a 4 based on the music, but as the album went on, the vocals got on my nerves. The vocals knocked it down to a 3.5.
Hmm. Synth-punk, maybe? A touch of a deserted lonesome highway in there. Maybe some Doors? Maybe some James Bond, undercover spy vibes? And that is just the first song! As the album progresses, I pick up a bit more of a Cars/Pixies/Death/Sparks amalgamation. Ultimately punk--maybe?--but more innovative in timing and rhythm, and leaning more into keyboards--and at times more bluesy--than what is typical of punk. Jean-Jacques Burnel is vocally similar to Glenn Danzig during the howls, and Frank Black during the the more talkative vocalizations, though he uses his instrument differently. "Peaches" has a Dead Milkmen vibe, and the closer "Down in the Sewer" has a beachy Munsters groove. I was not expecting this. I'm going to have to pick this one up.
I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I liked it a lot! It's like it pulled together a lot of my favorite music and put it in a blender. Vocals are the weak link for me, but not so bad for punk, I suppose.
Nope, nope and more nope. Peaches is just 70s sleaze talk with background music.
Definitely see how this is art punk, listening to it. Album cover and name seem so familiar but I have no idea why. I like what the bass is doing and that you can hear it in the mix. Unusual for punk. Ah Peaches. I know this song. That's why the cover and name are familiar. Good song. Overall the album skews a little too "British New Wave" for me but it's not bad.
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.
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 fathom why, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Four stars, for no real good reason.
3.5
They unmistakably have their own sound. Punk era but not really Punk. More like Ian Dury or even the organ makes it like The Doors. Runs out of steam a bit at the end of the 2nd side. But I'll definitely listen again.
Rattus Norvegicus- The Stranglers Best: Go Buddy Go Worst: Peasants in the Big Shitty (certainly the best name tho) Liked songs: 83%, 10/12 Mid to Strong 4 The main driver of the album is definitely the guitar and keyboard work, because both of those elements are truly exceptional. The story telling element of the lyrics are also definitely of note and really help it. I did find it interesting how the lyrics opt more for the sort of taboo sexual side rather than the anti-establishment nature that most of the lyrics of the era had, but they definitely work. Nothing about the album is bad, but I feel like it's just short of the truly great caliber to reach a 5. Overall though, a very fun British punk record with a pretty unique spin on the era.
The songs aren't super memorable, but I did have fun listening to it. It probably would have been a 4 star if I hadn't paused halfway through and then accidentally listened to several of the earlier songs without realizing it because I didn't remember having already heard them.
Another new to me group as I'm playing catch up (again!!) I like the album and would listen again.
Good fun punk, a bit dated, but of it's time I guess. Fave: Peaches
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!
Is it weird that I often think early punk is playful and delightful?
Some catchy tunes, but nothing mind-blowing.
This band was a pleasant discovery for me. Very good album, a blend of punk, classic rock riffs and psychedelic elements. All packaged in with a heavy dose of british sexappeal.
Cool OG British Punk
A delightful surprise! Never even heard of these guys before. Definitely hear the seeds of British punk that came after. Stupid 70’s lyrics, but the music is great and the guys can play their instruments. Organ and synth solos! Lots of instrumentals. Like the Doors, but better.
Not s'bad.
Decent
This is a bit fun - nothing too special.
These guys SUCK
Pretty much what I expected.
This was refreshing after a bunch of not so refreshing albums.
Good album, except: Way too long Old mates voice becomes jading Organs Fuck me, give it a rest on the organs cunt, Jesus. I've listened to a few songs off this album that I do really enjoy, but the deep cuts are mid. I'd give this a 3, but given that I'd never revisit this album again it gets a -1.
At least I can take solace that there is some decent stuff in this deep dive of shit I put off over the holidays. Not sure if the organ in this is a prevalent thing for the band or if it was just available in the recording studio and someone was just itching to implement it somehow. Pretty inoffensive with some nice individual tracks but mostly just felt decent
Waiter!! Waiter!!! More keyboard in my punk music please!! I have only listened to the stranglers in other peoples cars while they look at me like Patrick Bateman putting on Huey Lewis and the News. This was a pleasant listen and surprisingly funky, but having gone on a bit of a tear through some other stranglers tracks via Spotify album radio after listening, this is certainly not their best outing. I’d like to thank the little man inside the Spotify robot for associating this band with Ian Dury and the Blockheads, who also kept coming up on the artist radio and I massively enjoyed.
The most bland, Nothing burger, milquetoast "punk" album ever. 4/10 Fav tracks - Princess of the Streets, Hanging Around
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)
Pretty good. Never heard of these guys and kinda liked it. Not so much that I'll seek out more of their music but certainly didn't mind the listen.
Rock
Incredible. This is why I use this album generator.
I was put off by the opening line: "Someday I'm going to smack your face". I'm not a fan of overtly violent lyrics like this. From a musicality perspective it was at least listenable. It didn't sound as obnoxious as some other punk I've heard over the months; this acts as salvation from a single star.
Good
The creative keyboard work (for a punk record) piqued my interest, but why else would I want to listen to this?
Repetitive at times, but not bad. 6/10
I liked the instrumentation of this band. More keyboard-heavy than I was expecting. They reminded me a little of Elvis Costello, actually I couldn't tell the difference between the singers, really. But I didn't realize there was more than one singer. The "Down In The Sewer" medley was pretty neat, to hear a multi-part song by a punk band. This is a band I am definitely going to have to listen to more of, and this album is pretty much the reason. Good stuff. Top tracks: "Sometimes," "Get A Grip On Yourself," "Hanging Around," "Down In The Sewer"
Nah. Their referred to as punk but that's not a great descriptor, they're much more varied than that. I'll give them credit for the variation but I wasn't really blown away by their sound. I decided to go back for a second listen and I was bored before the first track Sometimes was over. And that was one I thought I liked the first time around. I gave up after that. Just give me the strange but infectious Golden Brown from one of the 80's releases and I'll be good.
Really dated, but not bad. I'd almost call it prog punk. Probably didn't need to hear it before I die and doubt I'll revisit. Moving on. Favorite Tracks: Hanging Around, Down in the Sewer (this was the one that made me think "prog punk").
- Found this album pretty boring
Nice
Enjoyable 3.5
I didn't know that I knew the Stranglers, but "Peaches" is featured in one of my favorite movies, Jonathan Glazer's Sexy Beast. The rest of the album falls short of that admittedly very high peak, but it's a solid, fun experience. Is it good enough to warrant a place in this list? Maybe. Maybe not. It's close.
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.
Another fairly standard punk/post-punk output. Might have been more into it but I feel like I've heard this 10 time before from this list. Not great but not bad.
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.
Have never really liked the Stranglers. I think when I was young I read a piece saying they were bell ends so I avoided them. I was looking forward to coming to this fresh and to have my perceptions changed. And whilst they do have some catchy tunes - in particular Peaches - and a strong organ going on - the lyrics / sexism have really dated and killed any enjoyment for me.
Excellent songwriting and production. A really great example of what punk is capable of becoming with a little sophistication. Well, never mind the lyrics. Not so sophisticated.
Pretty fly
So stereotypically "British punk" that it almost sounds like a parody.
I get that it's different than most of its peer albums but overall this was kinda boring
Pleasantly surprised with this album. I haven't been much of a fan of punk or new wave by themselves, but this album brings the genres together in a fun and unexpected way. The album threads a really interesting needle, utilizing the strengths of the two genres to mitigate the flaws. Not a masterpiece, but very good. Top tracks: Hanging Around, Peaches, Down in the Sewer
Don't be fooled by the IV on the sleeve. The Stranglers' eponymous debut album does the trick of not only making punk fit in their image but allowing a tad bit of accessibility possible for the irascible nascent genre. Favorites: Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, London Lady, Hanging Around, Peaches, (Get a) Grip (On Yourself), Down in the Sewer, Go Buddy Go.
Buena música, rock medio bluesero, a veces progresivo, a veces un poco más punk.
Good album. Enjoyed it!
Probably more post punk than punk but songs, organ, attitude. Not an absolute classic but plenty to like in this. Peaches is a classic.
The organ just does it for me. This might be my first band from this list that I didn't know previously, but enjoy.
i think im starting to like punk music now lowkey
Peaches is still a tune, not really digging the rest.
Immediately forgettable
This album rips and I absolutely loved it.
Well .... some good bass, I like the organ, some good tunes, but ... I shouldn't have looked up the lyrics. "Princess Of The Streets" She's gone and left me I don't know why ... I do ...
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.
This is good. Even the parts I don’t like are good. Lots of energy and attitude. Lots of great ideas. This improves with repeat listening.
I can’t believe a band called “The Stranglers” would have lyrics that didn’t age well.
Fine. Thought Get a Grip was fun
Pretty decent punk album. 3/5
Hmm... interesting. This is an odd little album right here. But you know what? I like it. I'll start with the issues I have before going into praise mode. The writing could be better at times. Some lines are a bit questionable, but I fortunately wouldn't call any of them offensive. Secondly, the vocals aren't my favorite at times. They're definitely not bad, but they work in some songs more than others. Now it's praise time. The instrumental sound here is pretty good. It's interesting in a way that I like. The basslines are especially something to appreciate. The pacing and general tone of the album are both solid as well. I don't have a ton to say. This is a solid punk album that definitely stands out more than many other punk albums on this list. It's a solid album. High 3/5.
This album is features great songwriting as well as arrangements and performances to make the songs sing. However, I think the cheap organ sound takes too much away from the experience of the album. There are also a few filler tracks here and there, but all in all a cool record.
Rattus Norvegicus definitely has its moments, it's got a really funky undercurrent to it, a proper groovy bass with exceptional tone and the organ works so well throughout. It's a bit new wavey, a bit art poppy, a bit punky but where a lot of albums are worse for it not being one clear thing, I think this benefits from touching at the edges of everything yet finding its own sound. Princess of the Streets is a great tune, Peaches is the song everyone knows but still holds its own now as a swaggering classic. I think there's enough on here for a solid to strong 3, not enough for a 4 because it lacks something that makes it really memorable or epic, no songs that really wow you, just a tight album, but that's good.
It's a weird mix between angry punk with a lot of the stuff that punk railed against, but somehow it kinda works. The vocals are cutting in places, grating in others, it's a bit odd but it comes together quite interestingly. 3/5.
The album is raw, sneering, and just a bit unhinged. On ‘Sometimes’, Hugh Cornwell sounds like he’s mad at the whole world, and Jean-Jacques Burnel’s bass-line could probably pick a fight on its own. ‘Peaches’ is a bizarre catchy ode to beachside leering, because nothing says punk quite like judging people in swimwear. By ‘Ugly’ it’s clear they don’t just embrace the punk stereotype; they’re laughing at it while setting it on fire. Overall it’s a messy, sarcastic, and a seriously good album.
Sometimes 3.4 Goodbye Toulouse 3 London Lady 3.1 Princess of the Streets 3.3 Hanging Around 3.3 Peaches 3.5 (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) 3.4 Ugly 3.3 Down in the Sewer a. Falling b. Down in the Sewer c. Trying to Get Out Again d. Rats Rally 3.5 Score: 3.311111111
I didn’t hate it. It was strangely more interesting the further in you listen to the album. An odd niche market these guys were marketing to. Thanks to Sexy Beast, I actually knew one of their songs (Peaches).
Fine for what it is. It's not really much though.
Did not know what to expect here, I’ll say I was pleasantly surprised by the album in general. Music is good, representative of the time and style. Lyrics are comically bad, hard to listen to on a few tracks. This is one that makes me wish I could rank in 1/2 star increments to go down to 2.5
Nothing groundbreaking but decent as a background.
Good early British punk!
They sound like The Doors if they were a Punk Rock band and had a bassist! Really nice album. They sound very clean and the songs are fun to listen
Some very good tracks
A bit annoying to listen to.
British rock. OK if you remove the terrible vocal.
2+ Stars (6/15)
Not sure why I love it but I do. It’s tight, catchy rock music and I give it 4 brown rats out of 5.
Classic rock but make it worse
3.5
Sounded exactly like I thought they would. Could have just been one long track and I wouldn’t have noticed the difference.
Not a bad listen but nothing I'll return to. Like the clash and the specials made an unremarkable album together.
It’s 70s punk. Nothing really stood out, nothing really revolting
Nothing here really blew me away, but found pretty enjoyable. Late 70s UK punk / alt rock.
Þið vitið, ekki leiðinlegt og í raun merkilega fjölbreytt pönk, en ég læt eitt rennsli og þrist og duga hér.
I enjoyed this one. I don’t actually want to do a review right now. Again.
This album is like the missing link between punk and new wave. Pretty good album, I wish they took it further. There are some neat ideas here and they that I feel they could have really expanded on. Also some of the synth sounds aren't the best. They could have left off the last 4-5 songs and had a tight 35 minute album. Low 4.
Nice and Sleazy Does It. Some great tracks on this album.
Not what I expected and not one to be repeated, I did dive into their 'best of' and enjoyed that a lot. 2 stars.
Classic songs on this album, and they have such a strong unique sound. I love the Stranglers
3.5
This is very much a '70s punk album through and through. I generally enjoyed it well enough, there's a lot of solid guitar riffs and strong basslines, the lyrics are a bit coarse at times ("Peaches" for sure, which is one of their better-known songs; "walking on the beaches, looking at the peaches") but more or less fine. All that said, I feel like this one isn't going to stick with me much. There wasn't a ton that really stood out in a major way. I can see it being somewhat striking in the '70s UK punk scene, but it falls a bit flatter now. Another one that's a good enough listen, but that's it for me. Favorite song: Hanging Around Other: Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, Peaches, (Get A) Grip [On Yourself] 10/5/24
3.5 rounded up right up my alley! highlights: sometimes, london lady, peaches (mar 8 2026)
Nothing really note worthy
Pleasantly surprised me. Normally not a fan of punk but this was solid. 3.5/5
Nah, not for me.
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.
Many of these tunes have held up well
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.
Compared to other albums that I have listened to on this site, this one doesnt really stand out in any major way, with nothing really to make it memorable.
Peaches is doing a lot of heavy lifting, the rest of the album doesn't really match up in terms of quality and leaves you feeling rather disappointed
Prog Punk?! I can't believe I never heard of these guys. They are generally described as Punk but mostly I don't hear that. Even when they try to sound angry, they come across as having too much fun to make it sincere. I hear Elvis Costello in the Hammond B but even his early stuff I wouldn't consider Punk, and it often gets too flowery and embellished to even sustain that. Thats the proggy part. But I do hear New Wave. (apparently Elvis was considered Punk at the time of his 1st album, I'm reading) It doesn't really matter what bin you try to put them in, not everything hits the mark but there is a lot of variety and I like it. 3.6
Brittipunk on viime aikoina herättänyt mussa hirveesti mielenkiintoa mut tältä albumilta puuttuu punkin paras piirre eli rehellinen anarkia. Lisäks näissä biiseissä oli imo liian hidas tempo että ois sen enempää laittanut sukkia pyörimään. Villit synat herätteli. Punk yhdistettynä brittimiesten aksenttiin sulattaa sydäntä tällä hetkellä...
Ihan hyvä meininki, muttei nyt ihan iskenyt niinkuin toivoin. Hyvä levy kuitenkin!
Melkein jopa harkitsin viittä tähteä tälle, mut en pystyny... loistava
It was sad man songs but good!
A tad bit wonky With punk adjacent offshoots Cheekiness galore
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
I'm not a fan of punk, even punk on the higher-quality end like Rattus Norvegicus. Normally my complaint (about punk) would be that nothing is catchy or played well, though I will give a shoutout to The Stranglers' organ and bass playing, which is pretty fire throughout. The organ makes it feel like something from The Doors. But the band falls apart with the drumming and vocals, which feel uninspired and bland – just enough so that the music fades into the background as repetitive Brit-punky stuff that doesn't engage me. The general positive reception in the other reviews surprises me. I'll grant that the bass and organ particularly stand out in Hanging Around and Peaches – the two best tracks by a significant margin – but most other tracks fall a bit flat for me. Additionally, the band as a whole has this stylistic superiority complex that I'm not a fan of. Between the lines: "My lyrics are sexist and also anti-establishment and also we're cool blokes with leather jackets who like to beat up our fans in the middle of a song." (Weird flex.) That being said, the listening experience wasn't actively bad like some other albums on this list. 2/5 Key tracks: Hanging Around, Peaches
English punk that wasn’t ass. Dicey lyrics but overall enjoyable
Got some really Rolling Stones, Doors, Pink Floyd vibes from this one. Pretty impressive debut album - especially for when it came out. Loved it!
Album was okay. Seemed like they took inspiration from other artists and made an album. Not necessarily a bad thing, just wish it was done better. 3/5 Possibly would listen again
actually not bad
More music I’ve never heard of. Like the cover, hate the glam rock tag. Let’s see how this pans out. I know this is a genre that’s very popular, but I don’t even know the name. Is it early goth rock? Whatever. This song has a cool creepy organ. So that’s cool. The vocals are alright. Punk-y. This is too long and just sort of there. It’s fine. It sounds like novelty halloween music that horrible millennials like. Which is close enough to me to say again that it is indeed, fine. Ooh. Weird intro is good. Driving bass. Good. Ugh. This genre of vocals. Not my thing. I don’t hate this song but the repetition is grating. I find myself annoyed randomly and then realizing the riff has been repeating for minutes. I like the bizarre pulsing mechanical outro. Nicer riff. Let’s see if this repeats for the whole song. Ooh this one is more punk. Less forced deepening of the voice. I like this one. High energy, fun, angry. Hell yeah. DEEEEEEEP is so cringe. Fuck it’s dumb. This song is fine though. All things considered. They’re different. Lyrics are trash, but different is good. The bass tone is so cool on this. Type o negative probably owes a bunch to this. This thing really is hanging around. God it’s hard to talk about. It’s just ok. This track has a fun groove. The lyrics are spellbindingly lame. When you have no ideas for lyrics (or you do and they should’ve stayed confined to the pages of a tattered notebook), why is the music so repetitive. This verges on slam poetry because the music (while good here) is a backdrop. Video game Halloween music. For 1976, this does sound very futuristic. This whole album does. I hate the repetition, but there is a quality about this album that draws me to it. Nothing really to say about ugly. More repetitive proto-goth(??). Organs all over this bad boy. And not in the lyrics!! (pitchfork plz hire me). Yeah it’s fine again. Music is pretty cool. Although there’s just a sense that this thing is just a middling album all the way through. I assume one band member is writing this type of song all the way through. It’s so lame. Come on potentially underage girl, it’s the 70’s. Like why the infantilizing? It sucks. This song is bad. Go buddy go. Taste of psychobilly here. More of a taste of basic instrumentation and lame vocals. This SUCKS. It’s hard to pick out what I like about this album. I think it was an overall decent listen and I was even compelled at point, yet I find myself in the 2 star territory. There was too much cringe and not enough that stuck out as impactful. It’s hard to even muster a highlight list. There really is only one. HIGHLIGHTS: London Lady 2-2.5
good enough fun but that's about all I have to say...
This is a surprising hit! Not sure how I’ve never heard them before! Also sounds great. Love the drums and bass tone.
Aside from the casual misogyny, this is a cracking album of pub rockers turned punks at the start of the UK punk scene. For me, the combination of the rumbling bass, overlying keyboards and the growling vocals contribute to an overall tight band.
The Stranglers manage to make the common brown rat cool. In typical punk fashion slapped together in a week and its alternative title "Stranglers IV" was specifically added to create confusion, despite this being their first album. Best: Peaches Worst: Princess of the Streets 3.5 stars
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.
Does this translate to Norwegian Rat? Enjoyed this more than I expected to! But I didn't listen to it properly because my aunt called, which is grand.
Another 70’s album I just can’t get into to.
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 have humorous energy, no doubt!
Underwhelming, annoying at times, forgettable for the most part, sloppy instrumentation, bad vocals. I don’t mind the lyrics and writing, but this could have been easily better. 2/5
I find it interesting that - to me - most British punk rock acts seem to be commercially made or created. They lack the earthy rawness
Necesario
Very energetic some classic punk stuff :D
A raw, early new wave classic, Rattus Norvegicus boasts high energy, satirical lyrics, and a surprisingly fun atmosphere. The Stranglers’ signature blend of intensity and deadpan delivery creates a unique sound, highlighted by Greenfield’s exceptional keyboards. While not flawless, the album is consistently strong.*
Never heard of the band. Never heard any of their songs. No idea what to expect going in. This was honestly pretty good. It started out really strong and, at least for me, faded near the end. Which was a bummer because I was ready to give this five stars after the first half. But sustaining such a strong start throughout an album’s entirety isn’t easy and I don’t fault them too hard for it. This was a cool, new wave type sound that fits into its own niche pretty well. I’m learning through this project just how much I like new wave, and learning just how many cool bands exist in that genre besides the Talking Heads. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Sometimes, Goodbye Toulouse, London Lady, (Get a) Grip [On Yourself]
August 15, 2024 HL: “Sometimes”, “Goodbye Toulouse” “Get a Grip” + bass + keyboards - - the fact that a lot of quirky, punky albums around this era pale in comparison to the B-52’s debut, even though I have to live with the three stars I gave THAT one. Maybe I’ll be yearning for this one a year from now P.S. hearing this and their 1979 album “The Raven” back-to-back; I appreciate them leaning into the (somewhat tacky) keyboard sound of Rattus Norvegicus
Pretty cool, punkish- new wavish music. I don't really think there is much that sets this album apart from others in its lane. It does kinda give a really gross aura to it. Like its from the perspective of a rat scrounging around in an alley. Which added some cool points.
Turns out we can pretty easily track the whole fucked up racist brexit shit all the way back to the 1970s by looking at what the british were listening to and defining as punk music when star wars came out. Anyway, not a terrible album but the fact that this list puts up mediocre british albums over other more deserving albums of the world kind of puts the whole album in some sort of perspective, right? 2/5
Not feeling it
This is #day2 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I must admit I never really listened to The Stranglers aside from La Folie (yes, "Golden Brown") and this album. But, given I've always been on the arty progressive post-punk side a la Magazine or The The, I find Rattus Norvegicus rather a fun album to listen to. That Deep Purple-esque organ and motoric drums are probably some of the most defining elements of their music. Quite a handful of great tunes on this one, like "Princess of the Streets." Not to mention an epic closer in the form of "Down in the Sewer," which blows you out with its psychedelic organ coda. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day3.
garage. fun. wild. brown.
Very boring album, nothing special, couldn't bother listening to all songs
Loved it!
Okay rock album
Pure punk poetry. Actually amazing. I wanna listen to more of this kinda stuff!
British noises taking place in the background. 4/10
Solid.
Releasing your debut album and titling it "The Strangles IV" is an underrated bit that I'm surprised not more bands have done. This immediately tells me these guys are agents of chaos and discord and that this album will be awesome. Okay yeah I was just taking the piss at first, but this is actually really good. It's like silly Halloween punk rock. The organ and bass players are playing like the lives of their respective families depend on it. Gives it a proggy vibe that sets it apart in the infinite sea of 70s punk rock.
I’m a sucker for any band with a good bassist
British punk music: The Album. Jokes aside this was fine. Good listen and it's more than just droning into a microphone like some punk bands tend to do. 6/10.
Enjoyed the music, but the lyrics didn’t age well. Deducting a star for misogynistic lyrics.
Ok some songs dragged but they love prolonging a good riff. Heard a few of these before but the album has some good moments. 6/10
I hate it
Top tier, as always.
this did not seem to age well. could i write poetry to this? n
Oddly, I'd never listened to The Stranglers before this. I look forward to checking out more of their work.
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
Favorite Tracks: Peaches Goodbye Toulouse
Not as awful as other music from the same genre and period but still not music I give a crap about.
The organ is pretty cool. Everything else isn't.
I dig this, not straight up the most punk, but the bass gives me a bit of goth vibes and singing is also super fun and a bit eccentric.
Pub rock not punk rock. Pretty great
Great baselines marinading in spicey mysogynism sauce
oh yeah? you like this album? huh
I liked this album. It felt more 80s than late 70s to me which was unexpected, but I liked the vibe.
pretty cool, got slightly zappa-y at times
I knew the Stranglers for the song Golden Brown, and that was it, so admittedly this gave me a little whiplash, as its punky, crass personality doesn't fully coincide with the dreamy, drug-filled expedition that I took the band for. However, that doesn't mean the album is bad, as the bass playing and the keyboard are both absolutely stellar, and make most of the album for me. The early tracks especially, are stellar punk tunes with enough post-punk influence to be good times. The album does start to lose me a bit as it goes on, however, and even the big tracks such as Peaches and Grip weren't grabbing a hold of me, but I could certainly see this being a grower if I ever decide to come back to it. It really just misses the mark for being too repetitive, and not quite manic enough for the Doors-like organs and straight up dirty vibe many tracks give off. I think just a bit more pep in each song's step could've really improved this for me, and I'm hoping that's what some of their later albums will do for me.
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
relisten. very cool
That's not my taste in musik. But ok.
Didn’t make much of an impact
3.5
More musicality than I expected from this era of punk.
Punk but with actual talent. 3.5
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.
Good enough.
Rattus Norvegicus Stuart Pearce’s favourite band. He’s seen them over 1000 times. The Stranglers best of is always a fun listen, but I’ve never given any of their albums a go so I’m quite interested in this. They never seemed like a typical punk band, although the attitude and vocals are pretty sneering and punkish, the keyboards/organ and the prominent, melodic bass always made them sound more like a standard rock band, albeit with a bit of a rough edge. They definitely have a sense of musicianship and musical ambition beyond many their peers, and you can definitely hear a lot of 60s influences, particularly The Who. Sometimes is a good example, it really doesn’t have that year zero punk ethos - the bass, organ and guitar breaks are much more pre-punk ‘classic’ rock. It’s a great opener though. Goodbye Toulouse is a little more punky in attitude and tempo, but the circular organ and the guitar fills give it a more accomplished flavour. London Lady continues that pattern but with diminishing returns. Princess of the Streets is a bit creepy but a nice change of pace, developing into a decent hypnotic groove. Hanging Around picks the energy back up, with a decent memorable melody. Peaches is a great bit of pop rock oddness. It could be easily dismissed as a bit of a novelty record, but it’s much better than that. (Get a) Grip (On Yourself) is good too, the synths and sax is great, giving a different texture. Ugly is pretty forgettable. I like the Down in the Sewer medley, a nice sense of musical ambition, even if it doesn’t work fully. The lyrics do need a mention, they have undoubtedly not aged well and are problematic in parts, particularly Sometimes. And they do seem quite obsessed with sexism, streets, sewers and rats. Peaches you can probably just about give the benefit of the doubt to, in that it parodies a certain type of character and at least Goodby Toulouse uses a slightly unconventional inspiration. Overall it’s a decent, fun listen, both as a counterpoint to their punk peers and in its own right, even if it is undoubtedly a bit patchy. Sometimes (despite the lyrics), Hanging Around, Peaches and (Get a) Grip (On Yourself) are very good songs, standing well above the rest. I also do like the composition of the band - when it works well the bass and organ/keys are a great combo, giving them a distinctiveness and point of difference. I’ll go 3, it doesn’t set the world alight, but I’d listen again. ⭐⭐⭐ Playlist submission: Peaches. (Get a) Grip (On Yourself) runs it close but I’ll go with the obvious
One of the great punk albums from 1977, different from the others which make it worthy of this list.
Not bad, although it does feel a bit... uncomfortable at times. First track is my favorite.
Not for me
Pretty average album. Some fun keyboards/organ with the usual weird British vocals. It really would be a pretty good album if it weren't for the dumb sounding singing. 5/10 (2.5/5)
Cool classic rock with british punk vocals vibe. Went off the rails here and there but I respect the experimentation.
Peaches
No Golden Brown, no good. It was a decent album; nothing extraordinary, but a solid listen.
this was just ok to me. I'd rather listen to talking heads. Maybe I just dont like punk that much?
Wow, that was fun!
Why. Are. There. So. Many. Late 70s punk bands from England on this list?!
I enjoyed this groovy little record. Wouldn't have ever stopped to hear this if not for the list. Great beats, but some questionable singing and lyrics knock it down just a smidge. 4/5
Not my sound.
Listened Before? N British 70s punk. I found it okay. I don't know why there's so much keyboard in this album, and I don't know why nobody cares how problematic the first song "Sometimes" is from a modern viewpoint but hey... it's punk(ish... I still think its closer to edgy new wave but whatev). I guess it deserves to be here for some reason and Robert Smith listed it as one of his favorite albums so that gives it cred... right? right?? Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Peaches
Crazy and irreverent, but still fairly palatable for the modern ear. Probably pretty edgy for its time, but sounds kinda goofy and kooky now. Guitar and bass work is tight and gritty, but the organ is so so campy, kinda love it.
there’s way too much mid punk on this list
Love that!
Loving the Monster Mash vibes
Neat retro feel
3.8 The Stranglers is a pretty cool band name, and they are new to me. There were no standout songs but overall I liked it. You don't think of keyboards when you label something as punk but I think the playing was pretty interesting and added a lot.
Very interesting, at times I’m getting blues-rock crossed with the Mummies. I would go back and listen to this again.
Ranked 10th on the NME list of albums of the year for 1977. Just because it came out that year doesn't make it a punk album. Neither do the elaborate keyboards nor the very high production level (it sounds great). So lets say "college" radio before college radio. Wikipedia notes Robert Smith from the Cure loved this album. And that makes a ton of sense. It's a goth-pop-rock experiment? Sure, and at that level it works really well, but punk? No f'n way. Now, I'd never heard this before and I'll probably go back to it (but not when I'm in a punk mood).
I kinda dig it! I get some Elvis Costello vibes on some songs and then some loose Cramps vibes on some other songs.
Just walking on the beaches looking at the peaches kinda vibe...
The early punk bands rebelled against everything, even making good and interesting music. It’s easy when you listen to a band like the sex pistols and you can hear how that eventually became blink-182 but it’s hard to believe that when you listen to this it just sounds like another GarageBand.
They found a rhythm they liked and mostly stuck to it. Im filing this alongside The Kinks as one of those bands where I just don’t get the vibe. I see how they’re important to people but they just give me bad juju. Peaches isn’t as cool as it thinks it is.
I've already heard "Hanging Around" and "(Get a) Grip (On Yourself)" as covered by other artists, and the rest of this album is just as sonically good as those two. This is a British punk/new-wave album with galloping bass, catchy guitar riffs, and plenty of organ melodies. The songs here have this driving groove to them, and Hugh Cromwell's low-register vocals are delivered in a campy fashion. There is admittedly a problem, and it involves some of the lyrics. I can recognize that as a product of its time, there are some songs like the opener "Sometimes" and "Peaches" where they come off as a bit misogynistic. It's something that unfortunately can't be ignored even if the instrumental compositions are well done. Thankfully, not every song is written in that manner, as the rest of them range from mundane urban living to spooky apocalyptic scenery. Overall, it's a solid album and is worth giving a chance.
It's good, but it's not great. *Peaches *Sometimes *(Get A) Grip [on Yourself]
Uma surpresa mais do que agradável, não contava com o que ia ouvir. Algumas músicas tinham uma sonoridade parecida com algumas bandas russas que aprecio, nomeadamente os Kino e DDT. Todo o álbum tem uma componente progressiva ou psicadelica ou até um pouco de punk. Que bonito álbum deixem que vos diga, fiquei genuinamente satisfeito em ouvi-lo. No futuro gostaria de revisita-lo talvez na sua totalidade novamente. Quero destacar o Sometimes e o Princess of the Streets. Nota: 08/10 04/06/2024
i hate new wave i hate new wave i hate new wave i hate new wave i hate new wave I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I HATE NEW WAVE I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE
Walking on the beaches looking at the Peaches! Classic. I've heard the song for years (and a few others not on this album), but never heard the the whole thing before. I feel like I've missed something, so I'll have to dive deeper.
Name?
a lot more fun than i thought it would be based on the name
This was a fun discovery. A good feel to it, even if the quality is a little uneven.
This is what I call theatrical rock. It’s almost circus-like at times with the instrumentation and melodies. Not my favorite but not my least favorite. Likely won’t revisit this though, but at least I now know a group called The Stranglers exists!
It was okay. Was a similar listening experience to The Ramones. If you're into punk it'll be good. If you're not, well, not so much.
Had never heard of The Stranglers. Really loved a lot of this. The lyrics about rape not so much, but the musicianship and attitude I enjoyed a lot. 4/5
Punk unlike any you’ve heard before. Not just the organ, but the distinct tint of new wave.
New-Wave Punk that works perfectly with a Scooby-Doo chasing. Loved it! The voice can be a bit bothering at times, but the rest of it sounds really good
Interesting blend of punk, some psychadelic proggy sections and poppy hooks. Would've been great if it wasn't executed mediocrely
Saw them live at reading where they were bottled for the majority of the set. If you know what the bottles contained then you know the analogy I'm going for
First and last track were fine. A punkier Doors. Rest wasn't as good
naja, schöne Orgel, aber langweilig
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!
1996 remaster. Ik zeg het er maar bij omdat de geluidskwaliteit van de 1977 recording misschien een stuk slechter was. De eerste track is me iets teveel toneelschoolpunk, maar track 2 en 3 zijn verdomd catchy en energiek. Track 4 is een zeiknummer en zo hebben we een beetje een rollercoaster te pakken. Uiteindelijk is het een aardig album met een paar positieve uitschieters, maar ook een paar putjes in het wegdek. Een hoge 3.
Bon dans le genre. J'ai eu du plaisir à l'écouter! Je comorends quand même son importance.
Thoughts before listening: Early British punk rock band that I believe delved into new wave later in their career. Despite being a big punk fan, I have a pretty big blind spot for most early British punk bands that aren't the Clash, Sex Pistols, or Buzzcocks. I'm interested to hear this. Review: Well this album is from 77 so I expected much more of a hard punk sound, but they come right out the gate with an organ. Definitely some snotty vocals, but also lots of melody in these songs. "Sometimes" opens the album and is a great song with an almost Doors style organ solo in the middle. Not at all what I expected, in a good way. In general, that's the sound here, punk attitude with very melodic new wave style songs and the organ over top of everything. Other great songs include "Hanging Around", "Peaches", and "Get a Grip on Yourself". 4-stars.
Missing any connection to these songs.
The Stranglers: “Hi there, we’re a weird, very English not-punk punk band with horror-themed lyrics and lots of organ!” *Listens skeptically to Rattus Norvegicus, only to hear a weird, very English not-punk punk band with horror-themed lyrics and lots of organ* Me: “I don’t know what I expected here....”
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!
Interesting rock vibe, fun and grimey tone
Ratty, scuzzy, trashy punk/post punk debut album; and it's strong. The Stranglers come out the gate swinging - they're not your average punk band. The vocals growl while the fat bass lines have a distinct groove to them and the organ adds just a dash of new wave feeling to it. Great album. Best Tracks: Sometimes; Hanging Around; Peaches
Hey. Are you a cis white male guitar based band from the late 70's/early 80's that's vaguely mad? Why don't you be on my best of album list! Seriously just shitty version of the Doors.
I can never make up my mind whether I like this band or not. They have some good songs...
A fun surprise! Punky, mean, cheeky. Had never heard of this band (except maybe I’ve heard “Peaches” before) and really enjoyed listening to them!
Fun poppy music with some sophomoric lyrics.
First time hearing. Not bad, I'm in o the punk sound of the late 70s and this seemed on par with other more popular bands at the time.
Välillä tulee vähän ”Rauhoitu, mies” -olo. Kivat hammondit, on reipas meno! Vähän jopa vetoaa muhun, juuri sen takia ettei jää junnaamaan. Soitto on pätevää. Ei kuitenkaan ihastuta.
Arvostan bändin omaperäisen haahuilevaa mutta silti napakkaa biisintekotyyliä. Superhittejä levy ei kuitenkaan sisällä, ja sanoitukset ovat kuin 14-vuotiaalta, joka keksii vain väkivaltafantasioita yrittäessään miettiä, minkälaiset lyriikat olisivat mahdollisimman "punk".
Today's album is like early UK punk mixed with The Doors style of psychadelic rock. Like punk which heavily features keyboards. It's interesting, but nothing to write home about Favourite songs: Go Buddy Go, London Lady, Choosey Susie, Hanging Around, Sometimes, Ugly Least favourite songs: Peasant in the Big Shitty 3/5
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.
Funky, punky, reasonably good but not amazing.