Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A peach, 4 Jun 2005
The Stranglers first album. The original vinyl had 9 tracks ending, as it should, with Down in The Sewer. What was a so-called punk group doing playing a LONG mainly instrumental song that sounds like an adaptation of a piece for orchestra? This was the time of eschewing the pretentious 20 minute songs of 'Freebird' or Led Zeppelin.
The Stranglers brought not only a refreshing burst of energy (as did the Sex Pisols, Damned and others) and socio-political commentary (like the Clash and later Stiff Little Fingers and Gang of Four), the Stranglers were the first British group of the mid-70s to try to bring some 'intellectual' reflection on the lives we were living, all those years ago. Of course, with a sense of urgency. They were glum times. Something Better CHANGE - as they said on their next album.
Every one of the 9 tracks is excellent. It is rare to find an album on which every track works - and works so well. Four tracks were released as singles - London Lady, Hangin' Around, Peaches and (Get a) Grip (on yourself).
The sound is raw. The bass guitar is like nothing that had come before. In many ways it is the bass which is the 'lead' guitar. The vocals are rasping. The keyboards soar. In places all the instruments seem to be going off in different directions then coming crashing together again. The 'delivery' is superb - raw energy, do something - NOW, there is no time to wait, people are going to push you around, read, find out what is going on, create change.
You will probably like this album if you like rock'n'roll, if you like gigs and music that sounds 'live', you are not easily offended, if you are male, or if you like the Doors, Velvet Underground or Patti Smith. It was an innovation. It is art. Don't buy this if you like music that is all about 'love', says nothing, or which says things which will help you confirm the politically correct beliefs you hold.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stranglers IV?, 14 Mar 2006
No this wasn't The Stranglers fourth album, but their debut. Tagging it IV was their playful way of causing confusion on its release. Sexist, violent, misogynistic? Certainly - but this band delighted in being controversial and getting up the noses of the Press and the Establishment alike; it also ensured this album sold reasonably well and reached a respectable figure in the charts after its release. The Stranglers worked hard for their success, constantly gigging up and down the country in a battered old ice-cream van, before they were eventually signed by United Artists. Rattus Norvegicus contains tracks penned during those early years. Hanging Around, (Get a) Grip (On Yourself), Princess Of The Streets and Ugly are personal favourites. This CD also contains bonus tracks not available on the original vinyl LP; gems such as Choosey Susie and a live version of Peasant In The Big Shitty. If you don't own this classic album from that short period of punk rock, or (heaven forbid!), have never even given it a listen - you don't know what you're missing!
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a real classic , 11 Jul 2006
This was The Stranglers debut album in 1977, after the band had been going for around 3 years. It was recorded and released at the peak of punk/new wave and inevitably The Stranglers got lumped in with the same crowd as the Pistols, Clash and Damned. The thing is The Stranglers never were a punk band - their music though raw and energetic was far, far more sophisticated and this album owes much more influences such as The Doors than punk. Yes it has a couple of punk-like tracks ('London Lady', 'Ugly') but the rest of the album is much more complex. It begins with 'Sometimes' which has led to the Stranglers being accused of misogyny but to this day is one of the most powerful opening shots in any bands debut album. It also includes the hit of the summer, 'Peaches' along with the beautifully sleazy 'Hangin' Around' and the under-rated first Stranglers single, 'Grip'. Another standout track is the bluesy, bassy 'Princess of the Street'. The re-released CD version also has the bonus of including the flip-side of 'Peaches' - 'Go Buddy Go' which got large amouints of airtime due to radio stations being unwilling to broadcast the uncensored version of 'Peaches'. This is a real classic album which has stood the test of time and I would recommend anyone who hasn't to give it a listen.
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