With the UK Punk Rock scene reaching its peak in the latter part of the 1970s, with those like Sex Pistols, The Damned, Buzzcocks, and The Clash, perhaps one of the most unsung heroes of the less mainstream art form was The Stranglers. Formed in 1974, The Stranglers were defined by a sound and image that were aggressive yet diverse, incorporating a wide range of other styles. Exemplary of what Punk should be, indefinable, The Stranglers are not only significant to the UK movement for this reason, but also because they have sustained the longest longevity of any. Whereas other Punk bands of the time had brief flares or shorter careers, The Stranglers have remained active for over 50 years, putting out a ton of music, including the easily recognized 1986 single “Always the Sun,” and last released a studio album in 2021 called Dark Matters.
Reportedly, on their final UK tour back in 2021, in the wake of Keyboardist Dave Greenfield’s passing in 2020 and Drummer Jet Black’s passing in 2022, they continue to perform into 2025, honoring their memory, while keeping The Stranglers’ legacy alive. Touring well into 2025 (with original Bassist/Vocalist Jean-Jacques Burnel, along with Guitarist Baz Warne, Drummer Jim Macaulay, and Keyboardist Toby Hounsham), while there have been announcements of any planned new music, at least fans can dig into the massive back catalog of material that includes eighteen studio albums, all beginning in 1977 with Rattus Norvegicus.
An album released in April 1977 through A&M in the USA, it was a debut that stood out for its raw, yet arguably progressive sound. Reportedly produced in just seven days by Martin Rushent (who worked with everyone from the Human League to Buzzcocks), it has an authentic energy that perfectly fits The Stranglers’ style. Including a heavy hand of keyboards on many tracks, it has a dark layered atmosphere that is personified by the likes of “Sometimes,” “Goodbye Toulouse,” “Princess of the Streets,” “Hanging Around,” and the UK hit singles “Peaches” and “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself).”
Becoming a massive success in the UK, Rattus Norvegicus is one of the best-selling albums of the Punk era, attaining platinum status and influencing many. As a matter of fact, The Cure’s Robert Smith stated in 1985 that Rattus Norvegicus was one of his favorite albums at the time. Tremendous clout, the album peaked at number 4 in the UK Album Charts and has retained a reputation as a must-listen.
Celebrated with a 1996 reissue featuring a bonus disc, and again in 2001 on CD with bonus tracks, this was followed by a 2018 reissue with more bonus material. Now, in 2025, a special remastered vinyl edition arrives. Made possible by Rhino Records and Parlophone, this new reissue is part of their Record Story Day Black Friday 2025 catalog and arrives on Friday, November 28th. The first vinyl reissue of the album since 2015, 2025’s edition is pressed to a limited run of 2,400 copies in translucent green. Eye-gazing on a turntable, above all, you get the original full-length album from 1977, remastered in a brand-new version that sounds wonderful.
Pressed to one LP, the original front and back artwork is also included, making for a stellar display piece and listening selection for any Rock-n-Roll fan’s collection. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends seeking out a copy, giving the 2025 remastered vinyl edition of The Stranglers’ Rattus Norvegicus 5 out of 5 stars.
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