No More Heroes (album)
No More Heroes is the second studio album by English new wave band the Stranglers. It was released on 23 September 1977, through record label United Artists, five months after their debut album, Rattus Norvegicus.
Background
No More Heroes was produced by Martin Rushent. The album consists of new material with three songs left over from the Rattus Norvegicus sessions.The album cover features a photo of a wreath placed on a coffin with the tails of several rats. The brass plaque on the album cover was engraved by Steven Stapleton of Nurse with Wound.
Two singles were released from the album: "No More Heroes", and a double A-side of "Something Better Change" and the non-album track "Straighten Out". A further non-album single was released later that year: "5 Minutes".
Track listing
Critical reception
No More Heroes has been praised by retrospective critics. AllMusic called No More Heroes "faster, nastier and better . "At this point the Stranglers were on top of their game, and the ferocity and anger that suffuses this record would never be repeated." Trouser Press wrote that No More Heroes "continues in the same vein , but drops whatever hint of restraint may have been in force the first time around. Rude words and adult themes abound, with no punches pulled, from the blatant sexism of "Bring on the Nubiles" to the sarcastic attack on racism to the suicide of a friend. Despite the increased virulence, the music is even better than on the debut, introducing pop stylings that would later become a more common aspect of the Stranglers' character", finishing the review with "No More Heroes is easily best album."In 2000 it was voted number 427 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.
Charts and certifications
| Single | Chart | Peak Position | Certifications |
| "Something Better Change" | UK Singles Chart | 9 | |
| "Something Better Change" | Irish Charts | 29 | |
| "No More Heroes" | UK Singles Chart | 8 | UK: Silver |
| "No More Heroes" | Dutch Charts | 25 | UK: Silver |
Personnel
; The Stranglers- Hugh Cornwell – guitars, lead and backing vocals
- Jean-Jacques Burnel – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
- Dave Greenfield – keyboards, lead and backing vocals
- Jet Black – drums, percussion
- Martin Rushent – production
- Alan Winstanley – engineering
- Nigel Brooke-Harte – mixing, engineering assistance
- Doug Bennett – mixing
- JONZ – mastering
- Eamonn O'Keefe – sleeve photography solarisation
- Trevor Rogers – sleeve photography
- The Red Room – artwork design
- Paul Henry – sleeve design and art direction