Album of the Day

Pop history includes but a handful of genuine explosions and the U.K. punk scene of 1977 certainly qualifies. The Stranglers issued two albums that year, and while NO MORE HEROES includes a few leftovers from their debut sessions, distinctive new songs like “Bring On The Nubiles,” “English Towns” and the title track show just how fast and furious the ideas were flying as the quartet took off. And “furious” is the operative word here; singer-guitarist Hugh Cornwell's pissed-off delivery is the leading edge of a group eager to offend anyone within earshot. Produced by the great Martin Rushent, NO MORE HEROES is both one of The Stranglers' most successful albums (reaching #2 on the British chart) and one of their very best. A brand-new Record Store Day pressing of 1988 compilation RARITIES, featuring singles and alternate versions, offers a deeper dive into the seminal band’s early days.