What's In A Name?

'Rattus Norvegicus' release advert

Sounds 30th April 1977

For me, the album that was never bettered. Agreed it is down to personal taste of course.

Rattus..... their most psychedelic?

Black and White.... their most 'punk'?

The Raven..... their creative zenith?

The Gospel According To The Meninblack...... their most avant garde?

I love 'em all but just imagine for a moment that 'Rattus Norvegicus' was forever consigned to the information plaques in the small mammal houses of zoos up and down the country rather than filling the racks of record shops!

'Dead On Arrival' or 'Rattus Norvegicus'?

Both New Musical Express and Record Mirror reported this change in name in their issues of 26th March 1977. A late editorial decision from the band relative to its release date in April!

NME 26th March 1977

Record Mirror 26th March 1977

To think, we could have been robbed of our most beloved critter!