Rattus Norvegicus

Today's listen is *Rattus Norvegicus* by The Stranglers, and what a great album this turned out to be! It's a very different sound from the Stranglers' more familiar work, particularly songs like "Golden Brown", and I really enjoyed hearing this earlier, rawer side of the band.

Musically, I was surprised by just how much this reminded me of The Doors. There's a similar dark, slightly psychedelic atmosphere, particularly in the keyboards, but with a much heavier bass sound and a raw punk edge. It's an interesting combination, and one that works brilliantly.

The musicianship throughout is excellent. The bass playing is particularly impressive, driving so many of the songs forward and giving the album a really distinctive sound. The guitar work is equally good, and I love how the different instruments work together. There's a real energy and attitude to the music, but it's also far more interesting and varied than I was expecting from a punk album of this period.

"Peaches" is an absolute classic. The bassline is fantastic, the whole song has a wonderful swagger, and I have to admit that I quite enjoy the rather smutty lyrics! It's cheeky, funny and musically superb. I also really enjoyed "Down in the Sewer", which is a brilliant piece of music. It's ambitious, full of interesting changes and shows just how talented the band were.

What I particularly liked about this album is that it doesn't simply rely on the speed and aggression of punk. There's plenty of melody, atmosphere and some really interesting arrangements. It has a darker, slightly menacing sound, but there's also a lot of humour and personality running through it.

Overall, *Rattus Norvegicus* was a fantastic listen and one of those albums that makes me want to explore more of a band's work. I knew some of the Stranglers' better-known songs, but I hadn't appreciated just how good their early material was. This is a really strong album, full of great musicianship, character and memorable songs. I'll definitely be listening to it again.

Favourite tracks: "Down in the Sewer" and "Peaches". Both are musically superb, with fantastic bass and guitar playing. And who doesn't enjoy the wonderfully smutty lyrics of "Peaches"?

Least favourite track: Nothing really. Everything on the album is worth a listen, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Album artwork: A really cool cover with a slightly dark and creepy feel. Very fitting, as I'm listening to this around Halloween!

I feel like I should be taking more notes here, but I also don't have much to say. This is good.

⭐⭐⭐.51

What a post punk (with a but of proto punk thrown in) blind spot this was for me. I had admittedly never heard of The Stranglers- is that an Organ mixed with my punk?

Television meets the Doors?

Pretty good.

Damn, that organ can -shred-. Bit hampered by the blatant misogyny though.

Very different from golden brown

Lots of energy but it did not really triggered anything in me.

This might not reach the heights of the Clash, but it's pretty damn close. The music was great throughout. It was fun, clever, energetic, I have nothing negative to say about this one.

Did not care for it and also did not pay attention to it while it was on

Het was al weer even terug dat ik de Back to Mine serie tipte. Dus wellicht kan het weer een keer. Ook The Stranglers ken ik van deze serie. Zowel Liam Howlett (van The Prodigy) als de Audio Bullys schotelden mij Peaches voor. Om eerlijk te zijn, dat is wel gelijk het meest pakkende nummer van dit album.

Ik heb dus wat verwachtingen. Dan valt het eerste nummer me natuurlijk tegen. De punkstem die Someday I am gonna smack your face herhaalt, belooft mij niet veel goeds. Toch kom ik er na dit nummer wel in. Het is nog vrij creatief. Het heeft nog wel iets van de jaren '60 over gehouden. In elk geval met het orgeltje. Al wordt de zang me wel genoeg, dus ben ik op gegeven moment toch wel blij met een muzikaal deel.

Uiteindelijk is dit niet het topstuk van de lijst, maar best geinig.

Het zit iets boven de drie sterren. Dus maar de proef op de som: kan ik het nog eens luisteren? Ja. 3,5 Sterren dus.

This is a really interesting listen. I always put it aside for weeks now, but I’m really happy i listened. Mid/Low 4

It was interesting at least?

It's like The Doors if The Doors were a bunch of sickos.

I generally like the songs, but I think it could have been recorded and produced better. The bass, in particular, is often distractingly distorted. The guitar sometimes sounds thin. The vocals are pretty rough. I get that these aspects are DIY/punk hallmarks, but I don't find them aesthetically pleasing.

Right on the line between Punk and New Wave. I liked it!

Every song the Stranglers make just seems to be enjoyable. I find it hard to really call them Punk, but they are a sort of proto New Wave / Art rock band with some Punk elements to it. They just make really nice songs, not too long or too short. They all sound different from one another while still being somewhat similar.

Better tyan Coldplay

Doors influenced punk

Both vocalists work for me, but Cornwell is better. Brunel makes up for it with a great bass sound. Enjoyed this a great deal; very strong four.

3.75

Having a hard time describing this album without referencing the hundreds of British punk albums in this list. It’s a collection of punk and rock songs with bits of new wave. Sounds grimy. (3.5)