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 in most of the world and A&M in the United States, five months after their debut album, Rattus Norvegicus.

Background

No More Heroes was produced by Martin Rushent. The album consists of new material with four songs left over from the Rattus Norvegicus sessions ("Something Better Change", "Bitching", "Peasant in the Big Shitty" and "School Mam"). The album cover features a photo of a wreath placed on a coffin with the tails of several rats (the Stranglers' trademark). The brass plaque on the album cover was engraved by Steven Stapleton of Nurse with Wound. Two singles were released from the album: the title track, and a double A-side of "Something Better Change" and the non-album track "Straighten Out".

Critical reception

The Oakland Tribune likened the band to "Capt. Beefheart backed by the Ramones." The Guardian noted that "a good organ sound and distinctive vocal tricks [keep] off the encroaching monotony." AllMusic called No More Heroes "faster, nastier and better [than Rattus Norvegicus]. "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 [as Rattus Norvegicus], 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 ("I Feel Like a Wog") to the suicide of a friend ("Dagenham Dave"). 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 [the Stranglers'] best album." In 2000 it was voted number 427 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.

Track listing

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Singles

Personnel

In popular culture

The popular hack and slash video game series No More Heroes by Grasshopper Manufacture got its name from the album.