Rattus Norvegicus

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.

One of the great punk albums from 1977, different from the others which make it worthy of this list.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

First two songs have a TON of 70s rock organ. The singer and the vibe very much worship at the feet of The Doors.

The third song has an abrupt and curious shift to punk rock, of all things. I didn't see that coming. Then back to The Doors cosplay.

Look, I don't love it, it's not my thing, but I don't hate it, either. I'm slightly surprised this band isn't more well known, but also, there isn't really a stand out song on this album. In an era of radio play driving pop culture, having an album filled with solid songs without a hit single to drive it means very little outside a group's core fans.

3 stars. And please, if there is a god, please let me go a couple weeks without a 70s rock band with an organ player. Please.

Some of the lyric subjects no longer align with modern thinking, but I maybe was enjoying the crunchy punky bass riffs a little too much.

Didn't like it and I didn't really understand why it was on the list but by the end I could hear the influence on bands like IDLES and the like. 2.4 per track.

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

I was aware of a few of these songs before, and the ones I know are the ones I liked the best. It's a good album, but not great. I will listen to it again, though.

I'm finding I really don't like whatever punk was in Britain in the late 70's-early 80's. Subpar singing, mediocre guitar, and honestly not much going for this. Had so skip through some songs because they just didn't go anywhere. I don't plan on ever listening to this again. 1.5/5

That bass tone is nasty! This album drips with swagger. Peaches is a good song.

Kind of fun, but also kind of noncey.

Good album but not great. Production still sounds really fresh and the bass is very driving. Listened to this twice and it was great to jog to this morn. However it is a bit repetitive and the best of the songs are much better than the rest. "Peaches" is a great earworm but has quite creepy lyrics!

Like some kind of British Anti-Doors on heroin instead of LSD. Keyboard punk is a rare sound, but I think it works well. Very tuneful, especially with that snarling bass. Singer is verging on The Fall type territory with the intentional flatness, but it has a little more menace to it, which I like. They make cynicism sound so catchy and seductive.

Super surprised I had never heard of this band before. A+ album title and overall a pretty solid album. 3/5

pretty good - never heard of the band, love the album name