RATTLESNAKES

When "Rattlesnakes" was first released in 1984, just about every music critic around called Lloyd Cole "The Next Bob Dylan." Sadly, Lloyd Cole couldn't match Dylan's longevity. Still, he flirts with perfection on "Rattlesnakes."The images are amazing: "She has cheekbones like geometry and eyes like sin," or the perfect simile: "She looks like Eva Marie-Saint in `On the Waterfront.'" Anyone who's seen that film knows how angelic a vision that was.Some of the songs show Cole's dark sense of fun, sort of like his friend/competitor, Morissey. Still, when the final strains of "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken" fade slowly away, you can't help but remember every ex- you've ever had, and wonder why you were ever surprised that relationships end badly.Lloyd Cole showed some flashes of brilliance on his next two albums with the Commotions--especially on "Mainstream"--but he could never top "Rattlesnakes." Hey, who could?

I first bought "Rattlesnakes" when it was released in 1984 and immediately loved it for its catchy songs and intelligent lyrics. While Morrissey was introducing his gloomy following to Oscar Wilde, Lloyd Cole had his listeners finding information about Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, Simone DeBouvoir, Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo and Eva Marie Saint. This album will make you smart if you care to understand all the literary and cultural references. What exactly is a "Grace Kelly car"? How do you know if you're "looking like a friend of Truman Capote/Looking exactly like you are."? Lloyd Cole lyrics are smart, funny, clever and deep. It is not surprising then that Tori Amos covered the song "Rattlesnakes" on her "Strange Little Girls" album or that Camera Obscura wrote the song "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken" in response to the closing track "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?" There is not a bad song on this album.

I played this album to death, it literally died in my tape deck and my many flatmates all know the words to each song as well! couldn't believe i could get it on cd, great album from a very talented and unabashed lyricist who had some weird relationships to base his songs on - makes you feel quite normal. great band to back him up - a match made in heaven! i would definately recommend buying this.

Great 80's era paisley pop. Am glad I finally scored a copy of this one.

A good record - it largely holds up over the years, though of some Lloyd's idiosyncracies (pronouncing Eva Marie Saint as Eve Marie Sahn is particularly egregious) get wearisome. His lyrical tricks are much easier to see through than when this album was originally released - Rattlesnakes in particular is readily recognizable as a string of one liners from his notebook - but the meodies, singing, and playing are all top notch, and much can be lyrically forgiven wen those three are in place.

This is one of those cases where ALL the rave reviews are justified and spot-on. This indeed a superlative 5-star album. No doubt about it. And this 2-CD Deluxe version is further icing on the cake. Get either version, but this one is tops!As others have already noted, "Rattlesnakes" is packed with simply stellar songs. Great tunes and musicianship, plus deft production touches combine to create a winning whole. And the demos, live tracks, radio sessions, and B-sides that comprise the bonus disc are all worth hearing as well. I love their cover of Television's "Glory" (2 versions included here), and even the duplicate tracks on the radio sessions are keepers. Some of these Deluxe versions can be disappointments, but that's not the case with this jewel!The 2-CD comes with a 32-page booklet that is packed with interesting comments on each track by the various band members. Plus, the liner notes by "Rattlesnakes" band member Lawrence Donegan (do yourself a favor and read his delightful books too!) are a true delight. What more can I say? A classic album that still sounds magnificent!

Stunning - in fact, almost unbelievably good for a debut album from a guy who was only 23 at the time this was released. With the exception of the bonus songs bolted onto the back end of the original album, there isn't a weak track here and most of them are wonderful. Cole's breaking, soulful voice, his clever, moody lyrics and the Commotions' precise but subtle arrangements and the sheer quality of their playing have stood the test of time. It isn't without blemish - self conscious and rather pretentious lyrics (like "Read Norman Mailer, Or get a new tailor" in Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?) can be disconcerting - but this is still the best album of British Country Rock that you will ever hear. Even for someone like me who has always preferred aggressive, passionate and uncontrived forms of rock (by everyone from The Jam to Led Zeppelin, Ozzy and even - don't underestimate them - Slade!) it is impossible not to admire tracks like Charlotte Street, Perfect Skin, Rattlesnakes and Speedboat. For me, they will always evoke long car journeys to go climbing in Wales and Scotland in the 80s - but I still listen to them today, 30 years later!

This is a straightforward but brilliantly played album of songs with tunes you can remember and lyrics that you can follow. An under-rated, but very good, singer songwriter supported by light but dot-on brilliant guitar playing.

One of the great albums of the Eighties and recognised as one of the best debut albums of all time. Great pop songs and wonderful orchestration on some tracks. I'm especially fond of Speedboat, Rattlesnakes and Forest Fire. As usual, the bonus tracks do nothing except threaten to take the shine off an otherwise perfect album.I wasn't too keen on the follow-up Easy Pieces, but their third album Mainstream is a neglected classic.

Excellent

Rattlesnakes was one of my best vinyl purchases of the 1980's, so it was only natural that i would purchase the album on cd.This for me is the best album from lloyd cole and one which pre dates the more commercial type sound of 'easy pieces'. There are some bands that do not improve album wise, unfortunately, in my opinion lloyd cole and the commotions are such a band, but this album is a gem and on its own stands out as an 80's masterpiece. Definitely worth buying if you are a true 80's fan!