The Stranglers - IV (Rattus Norvegicus)
Let's start by saying of course I have it on vinyl although it's isn't my favourite Stranglers offering. That little nugget of information has been brought to you by the words Heroes, More and No. Which is a more rounded album.
That's not to say that I don't like this one. It has all the right Stranglers components. Great bass, groovy keyboards and angry shouty singing. They were always a slightly off centre 'punk' band. Which is one of the reasons why I liked them.
The opener is a doozy, a jaunty offering about beating up a girlfriend because she cheated on him. You go...erm...Hugh. Then we go a bit stale. Toulouse, London Lady and Princess, and especially Princess, with it's slightly slower sounding vocals, do nothing for me. Sure the never ending bass is still there but there's no real get up and go.
Hanging Around sorts that out though with it's lovely slow start, dirty bass, swirling keyboards and vocals that suit the song.
Time to turn over and sample the aural delight that is Peaches. Always loved this song. Once again the dirty bass drives this and the snarling lyrics only add to the delight. "Oh shit there goes the charabanc" was an oft quoted lyric amongst my friends. Things pick up even more with (Get A) Grip (On Yourself). It's rolling drums/ keyboards and guitar at the start promise loads and deliver. A top tune.
Then we hit another unliked song. Ugly is not my cup of tea. Filler alert. And finally, Down In The Sewer. A four part tour of London's finest shit holes. It's a little disjointed with vocals slowly starting to grate. Very hypnotic bass though. Like a trip.
Thanks Paul for choosing this album. I've not listened to it in it's entirety in years and I've had fun today going through my other Stranglers vinyl as well.
Judging by my review there's four songs I really like, one I'm average about and four I'd not play again. It get's a 7. Slightly above average.
