Rattlesnakes

Another forgettable album.

Rattlesnakes is a pretty decent album. I haven't really heard anything from Lloyd Cole or his band, The Commotions, but by listening to this album, i feel a strong bit of R.E.M. vibes from it with maybe a few extra synths that i feel that the R.E.M. albums that i have listened to did not have. But other than that, it seems to mark a lot of the same checks like the vocals and the general direction with the melodies and of course, having very similar sounding guitars. While i don't think this album is as good as any R.E.M. album i have heard, I still think this album is a fairly solid listen which breezes through without feeling like its missing anything. Best Song: Down On Mission Street Worst Song: Forest Fire

The most background-y of background music I have heard on here in a while

DNF, don't like this genre

Both extremely good yet quite boring? It definitely felt longer than it actually is. Perfect Skin is a great opener but all the other tracks apart from Ready To Be Heartbroken, feel quite samey. Yet I enjoy it. I wouldn’t go and listen to the album as a whole but wouldn’t skip if a song came up on shuffle.

Guitar really pushes melodies on this record. Lyrics are full of places and personal connections, giving a sense of environment. Production is super clean and clear. Not my cup of tea, but not a bad record by any definition.

It doesn’t move my needle, but it’s not a bad album.

The first track got mee hooked on

They sound like AI-generated John Hughes soundtrack songs. Waste of space on this list

A wonderful, confidently understated album that gets big when it has to. A Scottish take on the Jangle Pop genre.

Ok, but unremarkable. Definitely not essential to hear before you die.

Fine, but nothing more than that

1.5/5 The instrumental is fine, but the singer sounds like he has the flu.

3/10

Nothing offensive but nothing really good. Hard to give it a 3, but 2 feels too harsh

Why? Just, why? Utterly forgettable, I don’t think it was important in the 80s, and I know because I was there. Not bad, not good, not vital to listen to. It gets three because it isn’t bad, but it’s a grudging three because two feels harsh for something that neither improves nor diminishes the world by existing.

Just not that great

Gave me REM vibes on one or two but didnt enjoy it

Koselig musikk på høsten. Litt like låter.

A fun, upbeat, poppy album with witty lyrics (i.e. “It’s just a simple metaphor for burning love” on “Forest Fire”). Definitely of a time, felt like I was in a John Hughes movie, not in a bad way. Highlights: “Forest Fire” and “Are You Ready to Bleed”

Great find. British sound with American tinge

Not my cup of tea.

Very fun, very 80s. Some weak / slow spots, but overall a nice surprise.

I'd never heard of this band before... honestly, not that impressed.

Painfully mid

Impressively boring

10/10 album art Little bit of Roxy Music, some Velvet Underground, and maybe some Smiths in there, too? I'm not really into this.

2- Stars (4/15)

Another one I had never heard of. Decent, but ultimately not that memorable. 2.5/5

Singer’s voice was bad, lyrics were nonsense, and songs were forgettable.

Ist mir zu soft

It's fine.

Pretty nice!

Wasted time

It sounds like he absolutely loves himself and thinks he's a genius, but just comes off as a dull tryhard. The instrumentals are usually okay, but let down by aimless, tuneless, melodies, sung unconvincingly by an English A-Level poet

what a brilliant jangle pop record. the highest quality is sustained from start to finish with barely any track you'd want to skip. Rattlesnakes hasn't aged and is still a delightful engaging listen. unequivocally worthy of five stars

As if there weren't enough 80s British New Wave on this list...

Poundland Bryan Ferry

Fine but rather innocuous. Not sure what is so compelling about it that it deserves inclusion on this list.

A little too country hokey

M'eh not bad, not good, a bit boring

Not great

3-4/5, easy listening

Pleasantly surprised with this one. Will definitely be listening again

(Trying to) rhyme ‘Norman Mailer’ with ‘Tailor’ is a hanging offence.

Really good.

This served me well as a drivin’ out of town record, and sometimes that’s all you really need.

Never heard of this album or even this artist before. I loved it

I had no idea this band even existed, but I kind of like the very British vibe. I especially liked Forest Fire, and a lot of the guitar lines stuck with me.　Honestly, if this album is on the 1001 list, there must be plenty of others that could have made it instead.

Eh, it was fine. I didn't really like Lloyd Cole's voice and I don't really understand why it was on this list! But it wasn't offensive I guess.

Hey, c’est correct

Pretty much anything jangle-pop I’m gonna like, it seems. The issue here is that I’ve never heard of this band or any of the songs. I appreciate it though the sound is a bit generic to me and begs the question why it was a must-listen. Just bc they were a hit in the UK during Demery’s teen years, I suppose.

bored

69/100. It’s good, but I’ve heard a lot of jangle pop and prefer many other albums. It catches a vibe really well, so it still has its place.

I enjoyed this overall. It's not amazing music, but it's solid, and plenty listenable.

Quite liked bits of the music here, though it verged on Phil Collins at times it was mostly pretty interesting. The singing voice grated though, the guy had a sort of crooning thing but he couldn't really do it. These sort of songs have an attitude like he was a really good singer though. I don't know, I didn't like it. So on balance it was okay but not good and won't be back. 2.5.

Listened to the whole album without anything remarkable happening. If ever there was a classic, nondescript, "music is fine, inoffensive" album, this is it.

Thought this was fairly dull and forgettable really. It wasn't bad, just in struggling to remember anything about it of note now 2.5

Thoughtful, atmospheric good lyrics surprisingly worth a listen and maybe a second listen too.

At the start and until the 2cv I think it was mid album but after that I found that album pretty interesting. I also liked that it is kinda light in the mood. Fav tracks: 2cv, Four Flights Up, Patience, Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken? 3,5/5

Perfectly fine pop album. Nothing really memorable or interesting, but goes down smooth.

Fine bit of indie here. Lloyd has a good voice, got that 80s lilt going on. Nice guitar work and some good songs. Are you Ready to be Heartbroken is a classic.

Sounds like Chalk Circle, typical 80s sound

Pretty nice.

An enjoyable rock / pop album from the 80s. Less annoying than many from that genre. Forest Fire was the clear standout song for me.

Really like this. Feel like it blends the blues and country of previous decades with some of the 80s pep. Sounds great with loudness feature used on the amp, as there is plenty of dynamic range in the sound

01) Perfect Skin - 7,0 02) Speedboat - 7,0 03) Rattlesnakes - 6,5 04) Down on Mission Street - 7,0 05) Forest Fire - 7,0 06) Charlotte Street - 7,0 07) 2cv - 6,5 08) Four Flights Up - 6,5 09) Patience - 7,0 10) Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken? - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,85 (69/100) Current ranking: 425/670

This is fun, definitely a nice vibey 80’s album, it just doesn’t particularly hook me beyond that. Good, but not exceptional enough to listen on repeat.

I am surprised at myself but for whatever reason this really worked for me. Really effective melodies and song structures. Will revisit.

This feels like an album I will really like and that my partners in review will wonder why the fuck this is on the list. Anyways this was a pretty solid entry into the list of 1980s rock and roll. Nice little melodies and what appear to be thoughtful lyrics.

This is a Brit cosplaying as Bruce Springsteen, and like the British, it's kind of charming, but ultimately falls well short of the original. More of a 2.5 but I'm feeling harsh

I had forgotten about this. Well not entirely as I recognized the song Rattlesnakes. I really liked this and have added all Lloyd Cole's albums to favorites.

It was pretty decent, good for road tripping. No overly strong feelings

It sounds so common and forgettable. I wish it had passion, but instead it is a pillow.

Although very 80s sounding, this is a great album. Enjoyed every track.

Very easy listening. Though also nothing I'd really listen to again...

I listened to 5 songs and couldn't muster the ear strength to continue.

This was okay. Kind of new wave, but kind of a mix of directions. Almost reminded me of stoic “the smiths”. I’ll give em a pass because they’re Bri’ish, mate. But otherwise I’m indifferent.

Never heard of this band or album before, but I’ll be honest my first impression is I like the sound. Just kind of that 80s pop style that I appreciate, though kind of rough vocals and odd topics. Upon closer inspection I still didn’t really connect with the lyrics. Interesting that the album was influenced by Bob Dylan considering I had one of his albums earlier this week. The music for Down on Mission Street was the standout for me, but overall this was middle of the road and won’t likely be visited again.

They have a Plimsoles/Echo and the Bunnymen vibe. Easy listen.

Another album that was released in my youth, and another album that I didn't have any awareness of until now. Of course, I'd heard of Lloyd Cole & The Commotions but I couldn't name one of the band (other than Lloyd Cole himself) or one of their track or album names. It was listenable, I was reminded of The Smiths musically (but not as good).

Very forgettable, I fear

78% Best: Rattlesnakes; Forest Fire; Four Flights Up Must-Hear? Not quite

Like if Morrissey was less of a twat but also less talented.

Pleasant enough pop album. Nothing amazing.

It was ok ig

meh

Felt like it was creepy. Like I was sitting at the bar in the Shining creepy.

It was fine, but there really isn't 1000 better?

Extremely dull and a very mediocre singer. I don't understand why you have to listen to this album.

I was a little skeptical going into this album after reading the reviews, but overall I thought this album was not too bad.

It reminded me of some other band or singer but I can’t figure it out. It seemed long. Nothing special but not bad.

I enjoyed it. It reminded me of The Cure in a more poppy way. It didn't drag on too long to overstay its welcome. There's something about that 80's emo vibe I've always enjoyed.

רוק פופ חמוד. אלבום טוב, לעתים משעמם שיר מועדף - 2cv

Fave track: rattlesnakes, Charlotte Street. Would I revisit this: no.

So.Very.Boring

This had moments of brilliance, but ultimately was a fairly middling pop rock album. I particularly liked the vibe of Speedboat, I wish they could have captured more of that.

This album I know forwards, backwards (if you play it backwards it reveals satan’s golf tips), sideways. Sideways is such a Lloyd word. Lloyd grew up in the same village my parents lived in. Hence I feel I have a special connection with the Perfect Skin hitmaker. The first Lloyd vinyl I bought was the Forest Fire 12” and how delighted was I to discover lots of extra guitar solo compared to the radioplay version. I love this album so much it joins those whose plays have to be strictly rationed. I firmly believe each piece of music has only a certain number of times you can hear it, no matter how good, before it’s worn out for you. Cases in point: Fairytale of New York. Heroes. Born To Run. LLoydworld is a delightful place. He’s in a room. There’s a window, possibly a curtain flapping. The door is open. Sun slants in throught he blinds. Postcards are stuck to the wall. On the floor there’s a suitcase. It’s packed. Or not yet packed. Maybe his. Maybe the girl’s. She’s in a blue dress. Or a white one. She may have said something. Or have not said anything. She’s leaving. Or he is. Or one of them needs to. In the Deux Chevaux outside. It’s hot. If I could give this album six stars I would.

A bit hokey and cute for today, but I bet this shit went hard as hell in the 80’s

I had discovered this album earlier this year and really enjoyed the title track previously. The rest of the album is also very good--well above average for a pop/rock album in my opinion. The challenge was to pick a second song. The opening track is great (Perfect Skin), but I find myself gravitating to the last three tracks of the album as well (Four Flights Up, Patience, Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?). Had to listen to those four songs a few times to pick the second track for my playlist. Ultimately, I went with "Four Flights Up."

A album of padding. Could be house Martins b sides. Not rubbish, I’ll just probably forget about it

Couldn’t even finish it. Which is rare.

A fun album. But nothing feels super memorable. So I probably won't come back to it

Not good, not great just kind of there.

There are so many more deserving albums than this. It's fine but I just finished it and remember nothing. If it's voted the 21st best album of the year than there's 20 more deserving albums from that year alone that deserve this more.

I liked this a lot! I would listen to this again. It had a distinct 80s sound but had its own twist on that era.

At first I was underwhelmed, but I enjoyed this album the more I listened to it. Definitely feels like a bridge between 80s pop and 90s alt/indie - and ends up kind of the best of both worlds. I will definitely be revisiting this one,

Maybe this is a little harsh, but I kinda did not care about anything on this album except maybe a fraction of a song or two? I usually relisten, but I am really uninterested in doing so here.

I listened to this a few days ago and didn't rate it right away. It was fine! I think it's telling that I remember literally nothing from it, though.

Perfectly cromulent music. Nothing much more to say past that.

Anytime I see a British artist I’ve never heard of on this list, I cringe at knowing it probably shouldn’t be on the list. But I liked this more than I thought I would! Not life changing, but not bad at all.

Pretty decent 80s sound, enjoyable but nothing too mindblowing. Standouts: Perfect Skin • Speedboat • Patience • Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?

I wanted this to be a 4 so badly, but 3.5 rounded down. There are some amazing tracks on here, like Charlotte Street, that could have been the blueprint for the entire album. However, they have only 35 minutes and there is some wasted time in my opinion that could've been used on things like more interesting instrumentation. Solid effort.

Ok

Я розумію, що стиль і все таке, але рівень манерності виконання у вокаліста дуже часто був за межами мого сприйняття. Варто відзначити, що в цілому непоганий матеріал.

Цей список альбомів місцями є сумнівним, але за що він мені подобається, так це за отакі знахідки. Звісно це типу не найкращий альбом в історії ітд ітп, але прикольно відкривати для себе отакі британські артефакти 80х. Ставлю 3.5, залишаю в себе в бібліотеці.

Not bad, but just boring. Also, very pretentious. Not every album or song is going to be a hit, and that's ok. But, they should probably stay in the era they were written and performed in and then left alone. This is firmly in that category.

This album is just so lame. Acoustic guitar nonsense

Booooooo hissssss

Good, chill album

Nothing incredibly unique. Nothing stood out. Sounds like it was made when it was.

No melody

Kelpo rock-levy, mutta ei myöskään ihmeellinen. 3/5

Прикольная музычка, интересная. 7 из 10.

Unremarkable boring Pop with two decent tunes.

I listened to this with my wife and she immediately started hating br*tish music.

there's some twanginess here that appeals to me but at the end of the day it's still so much like many of the other mediocre new wave albums on the list and he's still doing new-wave-guy voice

Not really my thing, but this album is pretty cool. It's very well produced and sound clean. The atmosphere here is pretty pleasant. Nothing all that unique, but I enjoyed it. 7/10

The Good: We are warned to be attentive to rattling sounds! The Bad: This rattlesnake has lost its rattle… The Ugly: Getting fuckin’ bitten… What in the actual fuck? This album contains 1 listenable song, which happens to be the first song on the album, and also the only real hit Lloyd ever managed to score… Why? Because his voice is annoying as hell and only works ones. So, though I started off the album thinking “this might be fun”, I quickly found myself trampling bushes, hoping that there was a rattlesnake lying in hiding, ready to strike and take me out of my fucking misery. Not scoring this album 1* due to Perfect Skin...

who cares

What

One of my favorite things in this project is getting introduced to great albums from my most formative years that, for whatever reason, I missed. It's like a dream - discovery but wrapped in the warmth of nostalgia. I can't give this album five stars, but I absolutely love it.

Perfect Skin, Rattlesnakes, Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken are great, the other's not so much.

This one rubs me up a lot of the wrong ways... Scottish 80s band *check* (but not JAMC) *check* Jangle pop "check* (but not Stone Roses) *check* Pseud-y English student lyrics *check* I think 2 Hitchcockian blondes are name dropped in the lyrics, which is probably 2 too many...and I like Hitchcock blondes...

“Alexa, define mid”. This album is OK It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just OK. It doesnt bore, it doesn’t excite. It’s not basic, it’s not complex. At no point did it make me sit up and pay attention. It’s better than 2 stars, it’s nowhere near 4 stars. Oh, and the vocal quickly grates. I’ll never listen to this again, and don’t feel I’d have been any worse off if I’d not listened to it this week.

2.5 - aight

It doesn't convince me, it's as if something is missing.

- This one I had a little trouble with. Reading through some of the other takes I see that I'm not alone. It's easy to dismiss as the music isn't all that interesting and the writing isn't particularly stand-out. The style recalls a number of artists and it seems that many others were reminded of the same artists that I referenced as I listened. Then I looked at the year released and it was much older than I had thought so they prefigure many of those artists ..... In the end it's the quality that matters and I just don't think it's there. It's perfectly competent but kinda one-dimensional. The writing isn't as good as it is clever, the story telling is murky. 2.5 rounding up for the forward-looking nature of it ....

Admittedly, I am the target audience for this one. I’ve grown to love Tom Verlaine’s voice and this sounds like a lost album by him with some southern twang. Even looking at the bonus tracks, there’s a Television cover so he definitely wears the influence on his sleeve. I found there to be lots of catchy guitar melodies throughout. I was surprised to see I had already listened to this album sometime in the past with about half the tracks already saved. I ended up saving the rest of the tracks this time around. Maybe not anything ground-breaking here but I found it to be a very solid album front to back. Rating: 4.6

Ok. Not my style.

It’s almost really good. But I can’t really get into Lloyd’s singing style/voice. The lyrics are basically cultural name dropping in the hopes of infusing some romanticism into the void. But again, I am a sucker for the pretentiousness of 80’s new wave and jangle rock.

Groupe inconnu. Pop standard inoffensive, pas désagréable (+1). Rien d'original, je n'ai aucune envie de l'entendre une seconde fois. =>2/5

Nails the 80s sound but just fell flat for me.

# Album Name: Rattlesnakes # Artist: Lloyd Cole and the Commotions # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: honestly, just ok. nothing stood out to me. wasnt offensive either. shouldnt be on the list # Top Tunes: ? # Would I listen to it again? no

*1984 - British band formed in Glasgow. *Never heard of these guys before. *Sounds like The Church or pretty much every band on Sirius XM - Channel 33. Love that stuff. RATING - 7.5/10

Net zero experience.

I was glad to have listened to this because of a Camera Obscura song called "Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken" that is an answer song to “Are You Ready to be Heart Broken?” and that I love. I enjoyed the jangly 80’s pop aspect of this album, but Lloyd's voice and the pretentious overly referential lyrics were negatives for me. Was this album life-changing? No. Was it a decent? Yes.

3.5

honestly took a little bit for me to settle in, and perhaps the actual songwriting is not always the most immediately grab-me-by-the-throat stellar (tho it could just be the morrissey taste coming off the vocals, impressive given the smiths debut was the same year). but my barriers could never survive this kind of jangly, emotive pop music for long...i lack for specific observations (beyond being delighted to learn of the source of that camera obscura song) but this is a type of album i could listen to a hundred of and still prob find vibrantly comforting and emotionally prickly. i do get the feeling it deserves more coherent listens from me tho....it feels like theres enough musical and lyrical detail that it would be rewarding to experience as something other than a big warm blob. but its a nice blob anyway!

Serviceable 80's indie-ish. Some decent tunes on there -- lots of Smiths influences, obviously. Made for an interesting mix once the album was done. But not overly intriguing.

Much poppier than I expected. Really super clean production. Actually enjoyed a couple of the songs. Very light, very thin. British synth pop. Three stars.

Really good!

Didn't listen enough, can't judge

Det er jangle pop, minder lidt om the smiths faktisk. det er også fra 80'erne. Jeg synes det lyder godt og meget varieret, men jeg synes overraskende nok ikke at det er noget sådan mega specielt. Det er ikke noget som skiller sig ud fra det bedste af det bedste. Angiveligt er det som er virkelig imponerende ved dette album, at det er en ung sangskriver som kommer med rigtig mange kulturelle referencer til film, bøger osv som gør det sofistikeret og klogt. Desværre er det sådan, at jeg ikke selv er særlig god til hverken at lytte til tekster eller er særlig litterær så jeg er meget melodi og lyd-baseret. Derfor kræver det muligvist et revisit en anden gang?

I remember Houmous & Chutneys famous tour of Samoa in ‘78. Lloyd was supporting with his band, The Coals. Not sure what happened but they were being very loud and aggressive. Len Houmous turned to Lloyd and asked ‘what’s the commotion?’ The rest is history! 3.0

Nah, not my jam. Too wispy for me.

If I'm listening to college rock from the 80s, I'm listening to the Replacements and early Pulp. Otherwise, I feel like there was a rash of stuff like this pouring out the UK in the early and mid 80s that to me is just utterly forgettable. There are moments here that remind me of The Jazz Butcher, who I am also not too fond of. There's not one thing unpalatable nor annoying going on here, but I did feel anxious to just get it over with so I could move on to something a little more compelling. The whole thing just feels kinda soulless and unsalted, like a boiled plain chicken breast. Perhaps the most interesting thing going on here might just be that he's British. I could have totally died without ever hearing this record. Oh, and speaking of dying, if I'm ever listening to anything called "Sophisti-pop" again it's coz I'm tied to a chair and being tortured and I need you to call the fucking cops.

Once again I’m super biased towards new wave in general. It’s my favorite thing to come out of the 80s and this album is not exception. This is album contains a lot of my most important qualities for an album. The first being it’s super short and is really boiled down to some solid tracks with very few skips (two to be exact). The other thing is this album has that I love is it has a great variety of sounds on it (especially for a new wave album). There’s slow songs, there’s super poppy fun songs, and thens there’s this running theme of amazing guitar playing. Like of all the things in this album that really pop the biggest has got to be guitar playing, it’s just so creative and clean. Even if you don’t like new wave you should hear the guitar playing on this album, it’s great. But yah if you don’t like new wave this won’t be for you, unfortunately.

I have to admit, this is a pretty random album to end up on a list of 1001 albums you must hear before you die, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It’s classic 80s jangle pop. If you’re into early R.E.M. or bands like The Smiths, this is definitely an album worth checking out.

Not my favourite listen. Pleasant enough but never really grabbed my attention.

Not for me

Enjoyable and interesting album, mix of early jangle pop and sad British guy, a bit Smiths-like. Speedboat and Rattelsnakes were standouts. Really liked the string instruments mixed in throughout the album. 3.5 stars.

Pleasant enough pop. So far not dramatically interesting enough to rate 1001. Have I become jaded? I am enjoying it well enough and the production is spot on. Just likeable, not earthshaking.

This is one of the most important albums ever to me. It helped me through some turbulent teenage angst when the world was overwhelming and everything seemed overly emotional. That emotion is in the voice and delivery. I also had a massive crush on Lloyd Cole which I’m not sure has ever truly diminished. He is a word-wrangler extraordinaire. From the first time that I saw the Commotions on Top of the Pops, which was in its iconic heyday back then, I was blown away by Cole’s songwriting craft. The words were witty and clever and humorous and poetic. Those songs had the ability to make me laugh and cry and learn simultaneously. I’ve been waiting for this album to pop up and there have been days when I wish it had, just to cheer me up, but today is now a great day. I remember buying every iteration of singles, 7” , 12”, remixes. When I bought the album on cassette, I played it so much that I’d worn out the cassette within a week and had to go and re-buy it. It became a bit of a crutch and Speedboat is still one of my favourite songs ever. For whatever reason it struck a nerve and still has that emotional ferocity today. On days when I feel like sand has been kicked in my face, Lloyd is there singing my song. I love that it also captures that trope where Charles Atlas was everywhere in 1970s and 80s comics and that 90lb weakling turned into a hero. LC and the Commotions did a reunion tour about 20-odd years ago and I saw them play in a fairly intimate venue. My heart sang with them. Lloyd on his own playing electronica in a Philly bar - not so great - as Jen will attest. But time and tide cannot ever take away how much this record means to me. 10/5.

‘Perfect Skin’ is great. The rest I could do without.

I want to like Lloyd Cole more than I do. I guess it starts with him as a vocalist — the delivery, tone, disaffected vibe, it just doesn't resonate. The songs also strike the same note... which is to say, they don't draw me in. I've listened to a bunch of his music.... well, I guess I've given him a number of chances, and always arrive at the same place. I guess it just isn't meant to be.

yeah, this was all right. i liked it more than i thought i would. it's a quiet album, one that caught me in just the right mood. not sure how essential a listen it is, but i'm glad i heard it. (Terrible cover design, though)

Lots of nostalgia with this one. Great stories punctuated by a soothing voice.

Somber and very slow which is an often felt mood at late , very flowy in theme branding from fast to slow but with the same vocals throughout . Enjoyed !

Most of the songs on this album sound the same. Few stand out tracks.

It's perfectly nice, very inoffensive. If I listened to the radio and any of the songs would come on, I'd not run out of the room, but it's not something I'd really want to hear again. The songs sorta blend into each other and there's nothing extra in there to make them interesting or memorable.

Fairly standard light 80s rock. Not sure why it made the list, fairly unremarkable and safe.

Moreeeee 80s Brit rock! Never heard of these guys. This one is actually weirdly good. Its got a fun vibe. The guitar is bright and chipper sometimes and fuzzy and grungy other times. Vocal style kind of boring and the guy does some weird stuff with his voice. I could go either way on that. The lyrics themselves seemed a little tryhard, like they were trying to be edgy and didn't really pull it off. Standouts were "Speedboat" "Forest Fire" and "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken" Neat little album. I kinda vibed with it. 3/5, pretty good but nothing groundbreaking.

Why do all these 80's Brit Pop singers sound exactly the same? There is no reason whatsoever you ever need to hear this before you die. I can assure you that you've heard plenty of other groups and songs similar to this.

Lloyd Cole was never a household name. Critics and music snobs loved him but, for most of us, he only had one bright moment and this was it. The single "Perfect Skin" made a splash on college and New Music radio in the mid-1980s. The rest of the album is as brilliant as that single though. Songs such as Rattlesnakes, 2cv, Down on Mission Street, and Charlotte Street are memorable jangle pop with great hooks and superb guitar work. Cole's voice is unusual - sort of plainative in the mold of Jerry Garcia - and always stretching for a high note. The problem was that you either liked his voice or it grated on your nerves. This may be what held him back from mainstream fame. The Commitions broke up after only two more albums, after which Cole was a solo act. The difference wasn't noticable since The Commotions were basically Cole and a bunch of musicians you never heard of. Since then, he has continued to write and produce songs and tour, maintaining a following. He never had thta shot a mainstream success again.

Interesting sense of humor. Fun enough.

- hat mir irgendwie so gar nichts gegeben

Endlich macht die Liste mal wieder Sinn. Bisher nicht wahrgenommen, erstmals gehört und für gut befunden.

I got a sense that I really enjoyed this, and after a couple of songs was ready to wax lyrical about it. Then it finished, and I simply couldn't remember anything about it at all. It just...went. Hard to rate that super highly really.

Sounds like a generic version of the whole scene at the time. Unnotable

Not my usual type of music, but I really like it and listened to it 2 times. Sort of reminds me of David Bowie.

Some strong, witty songwriting - a bit dated by its production.

2/5 or something I guess

It’s hard to believe this album was released over 40 years ago. Everything about it seems modern. You could turn on a college station today and hear songs exactly like it. Strange that this seems so familiar when I had never heard them before. Maybe not the greatest thing ever, but I really enjoyed it.

This genre is not my thing, I am not the best person to rate this album. But it is good!

Not too bad, liked some of the songs, good production, REALLY did not like the singing

Just found this kinda samey and boring

This one just felt like paint-by-numbers 80s pop. Slick production, jangly guitars, a little bit of moodiness tossed in for good measure—nothing bad exactly, but nothing that really stood out either. If you told me this was one of a hundred similar albums from the era, I’d believe you.

Just awful 80's dribble.

80s band. new wave/britpop. Isn't the style that I like, but was enjoyable to listen.

Mira, mal no estuvo, pero yo diría que es un tanto unremarkable, olvidable.

I LOVE Rattlesnakes the song and I always have, but the rest of this album was pretty mid. A few good songs on here but nothing really stood out to me. Still a pleasant enough listen though.

YABA!!!! (Yet Another British Album) Lately, a whole string of these; they must comprise 80% of the list. At least this one is short. Nothing special, Temu Morrissey sounds. 2*

Jangly folk pop-rock overstuffed with lyrics. A little annoying at times and completely forgettable - in one ear and out the other.

I listened to this yesterday and today I can't remember a single thing about it which is probably not a good sign

Not much here that I liked. The title track Rattlesnakes wasn't bad, but overall it was pretty forgettable. 2.5/5

Really didn't like this. I mean really. I read a bunch of reviews trying to understand it and it gets compared to like Bob Dylan a lot? Can't believe I like Bob Dylan better than this. I don't really see the comparison. Anyways, nah. Nah nah nah. 1.49/5

Feels like a movie soundtrack. Really hated all of it. Longest 47 mins ever. They really had a lot to say and none of it mattered. No highs.

Pretty good

A surprising 3 stars from an 80s British band with terrible cover and band name that I'd never heard if and probably will forget about in a week or two. I was expecting complete disappointment so I can't moan. Strings were a surprising inclusion and appreciated.

Pretty standard 80's fare.

Overall: 2/10 The music is fine itself but man, those vocals and lyrics are awful. I'm reminded way too much of The Smiths (who I despise). So annoying. It just kept getting worse the longer I listened to it. Fav Song: Rattlesnakes Least Fav Song: 2cv

Fine, just a little boring

Really fun little 80's jangle pop record, nothing mind-blowing, but one that i'll definitely listen to again. 4 Stars.

Incredible funk

O que mais gosto no som da banda é a sonoridade límpida: as belas texturas de guitarra, as pitadas de teclados e os toques sutis de cordas. Uma música que soa despretensiosamente sofisticada, sem ser pedante. Mas considero este disco um tanto irregular. Faixas como "Perfect Skin", "Rattlesnakes", "Forest Fire" e "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken" estão muito acima das demais, que apenas complementam o álbum, sem acrescentar muito brilho.

I don't know if I like the style, reminds me alot of Bowie but at the end of the day its something different which is fun. But the the sing style is weird to me. The title song Rattlesnakes is a fun listen though. I'm not really into the genre and would probably avoid. Not bad, but not my thing.

i fear this is what the smiths sound like to non-smiths fans. every 80s trope but make it boring and shallow highs: first track lows: the rest

2.4 Yet another new-wave album on here, and a pretty underwhelming one at that. Not one song that I'd classify as good, so I can't score it highly overall. Slightly grating vocals, no real great hook or riff to draw you in. Easy pass.

Half way though the opening track Perfect Skin and my mind brought me back to the halls of my high school, then to the many trips to the all ages dance club during Rattlesnake. Memories so vivid, I could smell the clove cigarettes. While my music tastes have evolved over time, I do occasionally revist music from my teens, but always albums I'd put on and not tunes other people would play for me. In many ways, the dance songs on this album epitomize the time in which it was produced, but for me hearing them was a surprise, like random tunes on the mixed tape made by your crush they were not something that I would have thought to play for myself. Fun stuff. Having known this band almost exclusively from their hits, it was fun to discover a greater breadth of musical styles and influences than I expected. From the distictive rock and roll riffs in songs like Four Flights Up, to the R&B influences in songs like Forest Fire, to the orchestrations in songs like Patience, the beadth of the music convinced me that this band was much more than a simple reflection of the time the album was produced. Another great album I never would have listened to without this project, but probably not one I'm likely to revisit much in the future. This is not because the music was not enjoyable, it was. I just tend to revisit bands that were more important to my past self when I'm in the mood for nostalgia. Who knows though, maybe I'll surprise myself like this album surprised me.

Always liked them. Perfect Skin was a great memory.

Another fairly mediocre 80s album.

Пролетело и не зацепилось

Decent 80s rock. Like how it isn't too corny but 80s generally isn't my favorite. Forest Fire is my favorite

BTEC The Smiths with lyricism that is somehow more pretentious.

Constent musical movement

Rating: 6/10 Pretty good but I won't remember any of it in the long term.

Perfectly passable music that gets little emotion or feeling from me

Not bad, but nothing too standout either. Decent instrumentals and vocal work.

No pinta great to my taste. Solo anotaré lo que I really liked. Voy por la 4, una mierdilla so far. Que ladilla música de pure gringo que es boring and bland. Me arrecha su voz un poco. Me arrechó su música. Me retiro sin apreciar el resto. Iba por la 6ta. Me hizo cuestionar si de pana nací en la época equivocada musicalmente hablando JAJA. Maldito disco gay vale. 0

Nothing much of interest going on here

It's not horrible, I have had waaay worse .... it is just the same album over and over and over again. Different band names, same country ... No wonder they are all so dull, miserable, and have horrible humor.

So much terrible 80s brit pop on this generator

I guess this deserves a 2?? Absolute normiecore.

Not for me

I quite enjoyed that, especially the bits that wandered more towards The The's territory. Will be listening again

Five songs in and I was loving life and this was a sure fire 5 star. Then there was the back to back of Charlotte Street and 2cv which really did bore me. Luckily the rest of the album picked up again but those two songs are keeping it from top marks. Top Track - Four Flights Up

With an album title and artist name like that I was expecting another mediocre CaW album. Thankfully this is closer to Modest Mouse than Marty Robbins. Great opener as well. 3.5 stars.

This is what an AI generated Smiths album would sound like.

not like a standout but also not bad. nothing hit super hard but it wasn't unpleasant either. not sure it deserves a spot on this list but also I might be missing context

Ok, lite til det

Fine

3.5, quite catchy but didn’t quite catch me. Might have said that before.

Standard 80's pop. Only picked because the editors are British.

in my cd collection

Despite its polished sound and clever references, 𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 feels oddly lifeless. The songs blend into one another with little variation, and the emotional impact never quite lands. It’s all very tasteful — but far too tame to leave a mark.

Got a bit tired of his fixation on middle class 'bohemian' intellectual girls though.

Ok. Inoffensive but didn't grab my attention. 80's guitar pop

Part of a sub-genre of this list that I call ‘those ‘80s/‘90s bands from that list that was clearly made by a British man who is probably in his mid-to-late 50s.’ This sub-genre also includes things like the Blue Nile and the Auteurs. It’s fine. (ntm.)

On s'emmerde

Never heard of this band and I can see why. I could have copy and pasted my last review. Britpop that you couldn’t pick out of a lineup.

nothing very standout but i still enjoyed this; playable on any classic rock station (and with the benefit of not being /over/played )

This had some good songs but not sure why it’s on the list. Kinda bland and all I could think was “this sounds like a knockoff of ___” Overall not my favourite and no big standouts

Enjoyable and fun listen.

Having a hard time deciding what to rate this one. Songs are enjoyable, but there's some dead weight on the album. Makes me think Noah and the Whale were inspired quite a bit by them.

Not the worst but hardly groundbreaking - or even vaguely memorable. I was in the prime of youth when this album came out snd still I’ve never heard of them til now. 2

Okay. Did not enjoy.

Forgettable

This felt familiar and generic at the same time.

Not bad but not great

You've got to love random timing. I'm currently reading Limmy's autobiography. Look up "Limmy Lloyd Cole" on YouTube for a wee rage filled treat and to discover what a miserable snob old Lloyd is. The video is Limmy reacting to Lloyd's review of his book on BBC Radio 4. My opinion of Lloyd is even lower having now read most of Limmy's brutally honest, sad and funny book. Anyway I loved this album as a teenager and I'm not changing my mind about it now. The lyrics can be incredibly pretentious but that's part of its youthful charm. Neil Clark's guitar playing is up there with early Johnny Marr. But the arrangements are more mainstream 80s pop than The Smiths.

Meditations on romantic relationships. I like the instrumentation. I enjoyed the minimalist sound. I found the lyrics to be intriguing. Didn’t hold my attention the whole time.

Safe rock

3.5

Just a bit bland isn't it.

## In-Depth Review of *Rattlesnakes* by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions Lloyd Cole and the Commotions’ 1984 debut, *Rattlesnakes*, stands as a defining artifact of the UK indie-jangle scene, fusing literary lyricism, melodic sophistication, and a wry, romantic worldview. Below is a comprehensive review focusing on the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Cole’s lyrics are the album’s most celebrated feature, marked by intelligence, wit, and a barrage of literary and pop culture references. The songs offer verbal snapshots of young, educated, and emotionally tangled characters, often caught in the throes of love, self-doubt, and existential ennui. - **Literary and Cinematic References:** Cole’s writing is densely packed with allusions. The title track, “Rattlesnakes,” references Joan Didion’s *Play It as It Lays* and compares its heroine to Eva Marie Saint in *On the Waterfront*—a line Cole himself later described as “naive,” but which captures the album’s blend of earnestness and self-aware pretension[2][5][6]. “Speedboat” borrows from Renata Adler’s novel, with lines directly inspired by the book’s dialogue[2][6]. - **Character Studies:** Each song sketches vivid characters—often women who are alluring, complicated, and emotionally elusive, as in “Rattlesnakes” and “Perfect Skin.” The lyrics are filled with clever turns of phrase and dry humor: “Must you tell me all your secrets when it’s hard enough to love you knowing nothing?”[6] - **Personal and Universal:** Cole admitted that many songs are thinly veiled reflections of himself, his romantic ideals, and his youthful insecurities[2]. This confessional streak is balanced by a comic sense of detachment, making the album both intimate and relatable. **Pros:** - Highly literate, witty, and evocative lyrics[5][6]. - Clever use of references without losing emotional resonance. **Cons:** - At times, the name-dropping and intellectualism can feel forced or pretentious, especially to listeners less attuned to Cole’s influences[5]. - Some lyrics, in retrospect, strike even Cole as naive or overwrought[2]. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Rattlesnakes* is a masterclass in melodic jangle pop, blending folk-rock, new wave, and post-punk elements. - **Instrumentation:** The band’s interplay is tight and sympathetic. Neil Clark’s lead guitar provides crisp, chiming lines, Blair Cowan’s keyboards add subtle color, and the rhythm section (Lawrence Donegan on bass, Stephen Irvine on drums) is understated but effective[6][7]. - **Arrangements:** The songs are concise, rarely exceeding four minutes, and packed with hooks. “Perfect Skin” opens the album with a rush of wordy, stream-of-consciousness energy, while “Forest Fire” builds to a dramatic guitar solo, considered by some critics as the album’s musical peak[6]. - **Vocal Delivery:** Cole’s voice is low-pitched, soulful, and surprisingly expressive, shifting between compassion, irony, and derision. He is aware of his vocal limitations and wisely stays within his range, letting the band’s arrangements do much of the emotional heavy lifting[3]. **Pros:** - Infectious melodies and memorable hooks across all tracks[6][7]. - Excellent band chemistry and tight musicianship. - Effective use of dynamics and instrumental color, especially guitar and keyboards. **Cons:** - Some tracks (“Forest Fire,” “Patience,” “Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?”) are seen by some critics as weaker, with the sudden addition of female backing vocals at the end giving the album a slightly disjointed finish[3]. - The overall sound, while polished, may be seen as too clean or safe for listeners seeking rawer indie rock textures. --- ## **Production** Produced by Paul Hardiman, the album’s sound is clean, balanced, and radio-friendly, without sacrificing the band’s indie edge. - **Clarity and Balance:** Every instrument is given space, and the mix allows Cole’s lyrics to be front and center. The production supports the album’s melodic strengths, with jangly guitars and warm keyboards prominent throughout[6]. - **Restraint:** The production never overwhelms the songs; arrangements are tight, with little excess or studio gloss. This restraint gives the album a timeless quality, avoiding the dated excesses of much mid-’80s pop production[6][7]. **Pros:** - Crystal-clear production that highlights both lyrics and instrumentation[6]. - Timeless, unfussy sound that has aged well. **Cons:** - Some listeners may find the production too polished or lacking in grit, especially compared to contemporaries in the post-punk or alternative scenes. --- ## **Themes** Thematically, *Rattlesnakes* is preoccupied with love, longing, intellectual aspiration, and the awkwardness of youth. - **Romantic Disillusionment:** Most songs chronicle love gone awry, with characters navigating heartbreak, desire, and the complexities of intimacy[2][6]. - **Intellectualism and Alienation:** The protagonists are often overeducated, underemployed, and emotionally adrift—reflecting the anxieties of a generation of young adults in Thatcher-era Britain[6]. - **Irony and Self-Awareness:** Cole’s lyrics are laced with irony, but never descend into cynicism. The album’s tone is bittersweet, balancing humor and melancholy. **Pros:** - Themes are universal, yet rendered with specificity and wit. - Balances earnestness with self-mocking humor, avoiding self-pity. **Cons:** - The intellectual distance and irony may make it harder for some listeners to connect emotionally. - The focus on a particular demographic (young, educated, urban) may limit its resonance for others. --- ## **Influence** *Rattlesnakes* is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the UK indie pop and college rock movements of the 1980s. - **Scene-Defining:** The album helped define the jangly, literate sound that characterized bands like Prefab Sprout and Aztec Camera, and influenced later acts in the Britpop and indie scenes[6]. - **Critical Acclaim:** Upon release, it was praised for its artistry, emotional resonance, and intelligence. Critics highlighted its ability to “affect people’s emotions” and its irresistible charm, despite (or because of) its formulaic elements[4]. - **Enduring Legacy:** The album has only grown in stature, frequently cited as one of the finest debuts of its era[6][7]. Its blend of pop sensibility, lyrical sophistication, and indie authenticity has influenced generations of songwriters. **Pros:** - Major influence on UK indie and college rock[6]. - Continues to be celebrated for its songwriting and sound. **Cons:** - Some critics and listeners have found its literary pretensions off-putting or dated[5]. - Later albums by Cole and the Commotions struggled to recapture the freshness of *Rattlesnakes*, leading some to see it as a singular achievement rather than the start of a sustained run of greatness[3][5]. --- ## **Pros and Cons Summary** | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Exceptionally literate, witty, and evocative lyrics | Occasionally pretentious or naive lyricism | | Memorable melodies and tight, sympathetic musicianship | Some weaker tracks and a slightly disjointed album finish | | Clean, timeless production | Production may be too polished for some tastes | | Universal yet specific themes, balancing humor and melancholy | Intellectual distance may limit emotional connection | | Major influence on indie and college rock | Later works failed to match its freshness | --- ## **Conclusion** *Rattlesnakes* remains a classic of 1980s British pop—an album whose intelligence, melodic craft, and emotional nuance have ensured its lasting appeal. While its literary pretensions and occasional naivety may not appeal to all, the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It stands as a testament to the possibilities of pop music as both art and entertainment, and as a touchstone for anyone interested in the intersection of wit, romance, and jangly guitars.

Ein Meisterwerk des 80er-Jahre Jangle Pop mit poetischen Texten und melodischer Eleganz. *Perfect Skin*, „Rattlesnake“ und *Forest Fire* stechen hervor. Zeitlos und einzigartig. Grandioser Mix aus Folk, Wave & Rock gepaart mit knackigen Texten. 😊

I bought this album at the time largely because of the hit singles emerging from it. Just checked my Discogs collection and reminded myself that I also bought the next album Easy Pieces. So I must have been smitten by this band for reasons I cannot now easily recollect. I like jangly guitar melodic pop songs so that must have been it. Lloyd’s nasally voice and singing style also good. 4/5 26/5/25

Perfect Skin is still decent, but the rest is average

I liked this, but nothing I’ll come back to. I enjoyed his voice though! Overall: 3/5

Standard British Indie fate. Not sure how it gets in here

Seemed to blend a lot of new wave together, from the jangle rock of the Smiths to the melodrama of Joy Division and The Cure. Felt a bit beige

OK, this is bad. It's very stereotypical 80s whiny pop. There are a couple songs that actually had me tapping my toes a bit, but there's just so much in this album that encapsulates an era and genre of music that I dislike very much. I guess if you're a fan of 80s pop, it's probably fine? I can't identify anything special or unique about it, but who knows? It's on this (very British-centric) project for a reason.

Ok 2/5

unmemorable

Fun new wave vibe. Not much else noteworthy

Some solid British jangle pop. Remember them from college, wasn't a tremendous fan but knew some who were. Nice record

Kept rooting for this but I dunno it just felt like it always in his head not his soul.

It’s pretty great, just not the tea I’d order.

i wish i liked this album more. it was definitely up my alley and i liked the sound of the record, but the songwriting was good-at-best and often times didn't get to that level, and i wasn't all that fond of the vocalist and his singing style, which felt a bit weak at times.

Another one! I like it and if I had heard it when it came out I would’ve been a fan.

Quite average for the most part but there's a few really good songs on here like Patience which make it a 4 for me. The vocals are SO 80s and I don't really remember any of the lyrics but it's pleasant enough. I saw a few reviews call it generic 80s synth pop, but there really isn't that much synth here. It's mostly guitars and it feels like a precursor to bands like Pulp.

Nope. Never heard of them so I went in with no expectations. Not only was this boring as fuck, but his voice is dreadful and was like nails on a chalkboard 2 ⭐️

Never heard of this group. Jangle pop was starting to emerge around this time, with R.E.M. and the Smiths ushering this sound in during the 80's. These guys seemed to fit in, with their themes of romanticism, longing for love and whatnot. It doesn't really reach further beyond that here, though. Hardly influential or anything.

2.8 - not for me

A lot of this just passed me by. Then at the end a couple of tracks caught my ear - Patience and Are You Ready to be Heartbroken? were both very enjoyable. 3.3/5

Annoying voice. Not my thing.

I’m bored, bored of this genre. What does this add, absolutely nothing.

It’s not bad, I like jangly dreamy Brit Pop of the 80s, just no idea why it’s on this list when there’s far better examples of this type of music to be included (many of which actually are)! It’s not popular, doesn’t seem influential. Another album the author seemed to like as a kid so he included it, importance be damned

I tried. This is really boring

Kind of like an acoustic soft rock. Some songs almost felt like a British take on country music. Pretty good.

What is this doing on the list? Oh, it's British? Of course it must included in the list. It's British after all. All British music ever created HAS to be on the list. It's a MUST that you listen to ALL British music before you die.

Lloyd's "Love Story" album is one of my favourite 1990s albums, so when this one turned up as my album, I whooped because I've never listened to his work with the Commotions. And unsurprisingly I bopped along to this album very happily. The jangly indie pop is the sound of where I live (quick check: yes, this band was formed in Glasgow) and I adore Lloyd Cole's signature vocals. Listened a few times while getting ready for work and added more than a handful of songs to my playlist. An album to slot in between Aztec Camera, Belle & Sebastian, and The Go-Betweens. Good stuff.

Meh.

really really enjoyed!! jangly pop great stuff

Familiar

This is a strange album. It kicks off really well, what's probably side A of the vinyl album has good songs, good singing, nice guitar sound. But then things are going wrong with hard to listen to, very sweetish pop songs sometimes even maimed by silly female vocal choirs. Fortunately closing track 'You will never be no good' gets us back on track. This album would have been much better if at least 'Are you ready to be heartbroken' and 'Andy's babies' would have simply been left off the album. But they didn't do that. I could have given a pop album 4 stars if they had, but no.

second half is very good but that first half is a slog. just skip the first 4 songs and then its like a 7/10 at best

Standard 80s rock. Had some catchy tunes on it, Rattelsnakes for example.

I didn't know this band and I think I know the reason why - this album is meh

solid. not my typical music, but was light and had a nice feel to it. not sure i'll listen to it front to back again, but still enjoyed

Entediante... Voz entediante (me lembra um pouco o cantor do Pulp mas sem a perversão que faz ele interessante), instrumentalização entediante... Tudo aqui é só isso, um pouco chatinho. Mas nada demais. Tu bota pra ouvir, e ele passa batido. Sem fazer muita bagunça nem nada. Inconsequente. Em alguns raros momentos ele chama sua atenção por uma coisa ou outra, mas não dura muito. 2.5/5

awwww i really enjoyed that. i actually knew the first and final tracks—there’s a camera obscura song that functions as a belated response to the latter, called 'lloyd, i’m ready to be heartbroken'. 😊 his voice is a bit silly but i love the jangly guitars and nice melodies, funny melancholic extremely 80s british nihilism lyrics…well it’s got everything as far as i’m concerned! fav tracks: perfect skin; speedboat; down on mission street; forest fire; charlotte street; 2cv; four flights up; are you ready to be heartbroken?

I really enjoyed that! His voice is just weird enough for it to be interesting but not weird enough to be grating. A lot of the songs were really beautiful and the album is the perfect length for this type of music. Fav tracks: Forest Fire, Charlotte Street, 2cv, Patience, Perfect Skin

This was OK. Not especially memorable in any way but not unpleasant to listen to.

Very good.

I really like post-punk, jangle pop, etc. I like all the subgenre styles this band trades in. So it’s really saying something that I’m rating this so low…it’s just kind of bland. It doesn’t sound like they’re trying very hard to stand out among the pack. Sometimes the guitars sounded really nice or I liked a bit of melody, but those elements don’t build to anything.

With a name like “Rattlesnakes,” I really expected something more. It falls flat badly. No bite whatsoever.

Das Debütalbum von Lloyd Cole And The Commotions wurde in den AIR Studios in London aufgenommen. Die Band stammt aus Großbritannien, genauer gesagt aus Schottland, und bestand zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung aus sechs Mitgliedern. Stilistisch bewegt sich das Album zwischen Gitarrenpop und New Wave, wobei auch Einflüsse aus Folk und Soul zu erkennen sind. Zu den bekanntesten Stücken zählen „Perfect Skin“, „Forest Fire“ und der Titelsong „Rattlesnakes“. Die Songs zeichnen sich durch eine klare Gitarrenarbeit, melancholische Untertöne und literarisch geprägte Texte aus. Inhaltlich kreisen sie oft um persönliche Beziehungen und kulturelle Anspielungen. Das Album ist in seiner Struktur durchdacht und wirkt in sich geschlossen. Es bietet ein prägnantes Bild der britischen Musikszene der frühen 1980er Jahre und zeigt eine Band, die ihren eigenen Ton gefunden hat, ohne sich vordergründig auf den Zeitgeist zu verlassen.

Need to listen more, not bad