Rattus Norvegicus (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Rattus Norvegicus
Type = Album
Artist = The Stranglers


Released = April 15, 1977
Recorded =
Genre = Punk rock New Wave
Length = 50:59
Label = United Artists
Producer = Martin Rushent
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fr5j8qttbtc4 link]
Last album =
This album = "Rattus Norvegicus" (1977)
Next album = "No More Heroes" (1977)

"Rattus Norvegicus" is the first album by The Stranglers, released in 1977. The band's name was printed as "The Stranglers IV" on the sleeve. The album was originally to be entitled "Dead on Arrival" but was changed at the last minute. It was one of the highest-selling albums of the punk era in Britain. Some websites incorrectly list the album as "IV" by a band called Rattus Norvegicus.

It was produced in one week by Martin Rushent, and was basically a snapshot of the band's live set at the time.

The original vinyl release included a free 7" single, containing "Peasant in the Big Shitty (live)" and "Choosie Susie". Two singles were taken from the album: "Grip", and "Peaches" (released as a double A-side with the non-album track "Go Buddy Go"), which gave the band their first major hit single.A remastered version of the album was reissued on CD in 2001, including these three additional tracks.

The album peaked at no.4 in the UK album chart, eventually spending 34 weeks on the chart.

Track listing

# "Sometimes" (4:56)
# "Goodbye Toulouse" (3:12)
# "London Lady" (2:25)
# "Princess of the Streets" (4:34)
# "Hanging Around" (4:25)
# "Peaches" (4:03)
# "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" (3:55)
# "Ugly" (4:03)
# "Down In The Sewer: Falling/Down In The Sewer/Trying To Get Out Again/Rat's Rally" (7:30)
# "Choosey Susie" "(CD bonus track)"
# "Go Buddy Go" "(CD bonus track)"
# "Peasant In The Big Shitty (Live)" "(CD bonus track)"

Personnel

* Hugh Cornwell: guitars, lead vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9) and backing vocals
* JJ 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: drums
* Eric Clarke: guest saxophone on "Grip"
* Martin Rushent: producer
* Alan Winstanley: engineering

Audio sample