THE STRANGLERS – RATTUS NORVEGICUS LP – EXC+ A1/B1 UK PUNK

The Stranglers – Rattus Norvegicus
(United Artists Records  1977  UAG30045)
Matrix No’s: UAG 30045 A-1U JONZ HO 2/UAG 30045 B-1U HQ 3 – UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT- condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality apart from some light pops/crackles)

Sleeve in Excellent+/Nr MINT condition
– some wear to edges/corners & a little rubbing near the bottom
Inner Sleeve has a 1.5 inch split in bottom

The Stranglers are an English rock band who emerged via the punk rock scene. The original line up was Hugh Cornwell (vocals, guitar), Jean-Jacques Brunel (bass, vocals), Dave Greenfield (keyboards) and Jet Black (drums).

Rattus Norvegicus (alternative title The Stranglers IV) is the debut studio album by The Stranglers, released on 17 April 1977. The album was originally to be entitled “Dead on Arrival” but was changed at the last minute.

Track listing

All songs credited as written by The Stranglers

Side 1

1. “Sometimes” (4:56)

Written by Hugh Cornwell, describes a violent argument with a girlfriend. The same girlfriend is the subject of “Strange Little Girl” which was written earlier by Cornwell and Hans Wärmling.

2. “Goodbye Toulouse” (3:12)

Music by Cornwell, lyrics by Burnel. Describes the destruction of Toulouse predicted by Nostradamus.

3. “London Lady” (2:25)

Music by Cornwell, lyrics by Burnel. Loosely based on a contemporary female journalist.

4. “Princess of the Streets” (4:34)

Written in 6/8 time, music and lyrics by Burnel. Penned ‘pre-Stranglers’.

5. “Hanging Around” (4:25)

Music by Burnel, lyrics by Cornwell. Describes the characters found in the London pubs that the band played live at.

Side 2

6. “Peaches” (4:03)

Burnel/Cornwell. The Stranglers influenced by reggae.

7. “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)” (3:55)

Music and lyrics by Cornwell. Based on band life in their Chiddingfold squat, featured Eric Clarke, a Welsh coal miner, on saxophone.

8. “Ugly”(4:03)

Music and lyrics by Burnel. Described as ‘abstract psychedelia’ by Cornwell, the poem Ozymandias is featured.

9. “Down in the Sewer” (7:30)

Has four sections: “Falling”/”Down In The Sewer”/”Trying To Get Out Again”/”Rat’s Rally”. Music by Burnel, lyrics by Cornwell. The ‘sewer’ refers to London.

Personnel

The Stranglers

• Hugh Cornwell – Guitars, lead vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9) and backing vocals
• Jean-Jacques Burnel – Bass guitar, lead vocals (3, 4, 8, 10, 11) and backing vocals
• Dave Greenfield – Keyboards (Hammond L100 Organ, Hohner Cembalet electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer), lead vocals (12) and backing vocals
• Jet Black – Percussion

Additional musician

• Eric Clarke – Guest tenor saxophone (track 7)

Production

• Martin Rushent – Producer
• Alan Winstanley – Engineer
• Benny King – Assistant and mixing engineer
• Doug Bennett – Mixing engineer
• Trevor Rogers – Photography
• Paul Henry – Art direction, artwork, sleeve design