Product Description UK repackaged reissue of 1977 album, includes new artwork with extensive sleeve notes and previously unseen photos. 14 tracks including three bonus tracks, 'Straighten Out', 'Five Minutes' and 'Rok It to the Moon'. The original album itself features such Stranglers classics as 'Dagenham Dave', 'Something Better Change', 'I Feel Like a Wog' and the title track. EMI. .co.uk "You either love or you despise, there's just no room for compromise" spat Anglo-French bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel on "Burning Up Time". And by the time of No More Heroes--the Stranglers' second album--the battle lines were drawn between those (the press and the women's movement, mainly) who saw the future "Meninblack" as uncouth sexist pigs peddling aggressive punk Doors music and those for whom The Stranglers were a fantastically melodic, intelligent punk-rock combo, albeit one with a dangerously dry sense of humour and a swift-fingered, pipe-smoking keyboard player. The former had plenty to complain about: Elderly aunts up and down the land must have fainted the day an unwitting Dave Lee Travis played "I Feel Like A Wog" ("out on the dirty shitty jobs") on Radio One, so it's probably just as well they never got to hear the teacher-pupil relationship smut of "School Ma'm" (most unsavoury line--"disgusting behaviour, all over the parquet flooring") or the infamously rude "Bring On The Nubiles", which was chanted like testosterone-charged Daleks and featured the word "fuck" eight times. Musically, The Stranglers were on a roll--Dave Greenfield's use of Hammond organ and Moogsynth coupled with Burnel's sonorous belch of a bass and Hugh Cornwell's not-bothered vocal made them instantly recognisable. And at least half of No More Heroes is every bit as good as Rattus Norvegicus (in fact, most of the album was recorded at the same time). It's also the only Stranglers album to spawn two Top 10 singles, namely the gutteral call-to-arms of "Something Better Change" and the iconoclastic title track--a genuine rock classic. --Kevin Maidment
P**S
Remaster, not remix (happily).
Initially, I was a bit dubious about The Classic Collection reissues, thinking 'cash in', but bought a copy of The Raven as my copy was a bit tired. As that was great, had a little splurge.NMH was the album that I was most intrigued to hear in it's new guise. As perhaps less high concept than the albums which bookend it, I was wondering how much could be done with it.Frankly, it sounds amazing. Less of a soundscape, more of a collection of songs, NMH is a straightforward record for The Stranglers.This version is crystal clear. More like meeting an old friend who's had a shave and a haircut, rather than one who has decided to start wearing a tutu and glittery make up.There are moments when it sounds like it's live in the studio, with superb balance and separation.As a group, everyone's contribution is as important as another's - and this has a great band feel about it.On my first and second listens, the real standouts were Dead Ringer and Peasant - which, if it's possible, sounds even more menacing and dark than ever.Not that the other tracks don't sound brilliant - they do.For once, the additional tracks are worth having - esp. Straighten Out, which retains it's slightly unpolished sound while being very 'in the room'.Overall, there's no 'bit of strings that I've never heard before' on the remaster, and I'm pleased about that.However, if you've already owned a half dozen copies - and are thinking that you don't need this version, you're missing out. If you've never heard this album before, where have you been - and be ready for a pleasant surprise.
B**O
A great reissue campaign. But...
This is a review of the 2018 edition.Great sound. I didn't have any of these albums on CD, so the extra tracks are a great bonus.The CDs in this series come in a plastic jewel case, and of course 2 of the 7 Stranglers reissues in my order had cracked cases, and some of the clips inside broken off, so the discs slide around. Would have preferred mini LP replicas.They boast of a 32 page booklet, but it is a bit of a load.The lyrics for each album, and a few pictures, are the only unique content, per disc. The majority of the pages contain content that is the same across all 7 reissues. A history of the Stranglers and notes on each album. So don't expect 32 pages of unique content per disc. I love liner notes, so this was a bit of a let down.
A**’
An original.
Not re-recorded, THE most important thing. No re-dubbed nonsense with replacement new versions or live substituted tracks. LEAVE IT ALONE. Keep it original the way it was way back when. This one is unmolested. Thank goodness I was able to find a copy.
M**P
rattus 2
when this album first came out i was a young herbert of 13 - and just loved the whole sound (clear but aggressive)- i think i liked it more than rattus at the time mainly because it had more swearing on it - now when i listen i find it hard to tell where rattus ends and no more hero's begins - both are masterpieces - rattus with poppies (but no pop - that unfortunately came later )
M**R
Still works for me
I love this album, as old as gritty as it is it still works for me. Very early album from the stranglers but their ability as musicians and the creative arrangements are still miles ahead of there rivals... Took a few listens but I now return regularly to warm me ears.
J**.
Buy it!
I was 15 when this was first released and I think it has aged well, probably better than me!JJ's bass, Hugh's guitar, Dave's keyboards & Jet's drums still sound sharp and the songs are aggressive & well written.Maybe even witty.......Do yourself a favour, buy this album, put on your old leather and some tatty jeans and sneer. It'll make your day!
S**P
Classic album
This album is a classic. Yes it has 70’s language but with regards to punk it is a landmark album. I bought it through the marketplace second hand. It was in very good condition.
C**3
Still the best
Short and sweet. IMHO still the best Stranglers album ever. This could be because it brings back so many memories of playing it in my youth, or it could be because it has so many great tunes on it.Burning Up Time, No More Heroes and School Mam - What more could you want.They were classed as punks, but they sure could play.
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