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Post Info TOPIC: Rats Essays - Level of interest reflects CDs


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Rats Essays - Level of interest reflects CDs
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Well for me they do!


The first two are very good. Possibly too much reference to the post-release visit to the US in the Tonic essay, but very readable!


However, the Surfacing essay seems to focus on December 1978 and Rat Trap in particular, and though interesting not as good as it should be.


The Mondo essay is only really interesting for the Dubin/Banana Republic reference and not too much else (bit harsh, as 50% of that album is great).


V Deep is hardly readable! "House of Fire" indeed!  Wasn't That Madness? Or was it House on Fun?


And In the Long Grass is good, but probably only for the fans!


 



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As I own none of the actual Rats' entire CDs/albums (I only own 'Loudmouth' and bought a few more Rats' songs from MSN), I can't make a fair comparison to these essays vs. my opinions of the different CDs. I did, however, highly enjoy any Geldof anecdotes described in the essays. Specifically...

"The Boomtown Rats": Murray's harmonica 'upstaging' - just another example of Geldof's amusing reaction behavior...

"A Tonic for the Troops": many here. The observation of Geldof's pencil/paper-comment smile/smirk made me smile, because I've seen many unabashed smirks of his in his interestingly-made BBC documentary, "The Real Love that Dare Not Speak its Name." I wouldn't be surprised if there was more smirk than smile saying that comment! The juxtaposition of Geldof calling VIPs '****in' morons' while warmly waving at them was very humourous.

"Fine Art of Surfacing": a couple of amusing Geldof comments - the 'boos' vs 'broooce' and Mondays' opening 'Disney waterfall'

"V Deep": I enjoyed reading Walsh's descriptiuon of Geldof's vocal ranges, and the song descriptions makes me want to listen to that entire CD!

I'm very curious to hear "V Deep" and "In The Long Grass," for the few songs I've heard from both albums are pleasing to the ear, both in tunes and lyrics.

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... shame if you missed it, but the Rats Essay on Tonic for the Troops was published in full in tonight's Standard. (London paper)



A tonic for Geldof's troops



With a special Brit Award coming and the Boomtown Rats on CD for the first time, Sir Bob should be a happy man.  The band's second album was their best but how does it sound today?



http://www.bobgeldof.info/ratsessays.htm (for the rest!)



Would have told you earlier but I just found the article (well my wife did).  Couple of pictures from 1977 (supporting the Ramones at Slough) and 1978. (try http://www.thisislondon.com/search/?query=Geldof&page=2&length=0 thoug h sadly you have to register & pay!  Lot of Geldof stuff though, and if you are quick enough you could grab it all in the 14 day trial)



Anyway, they're right it was their best album (though the debut is a close second), and it still sounds pretty good today!



Also namechecked Geldof & Mondays in their freebie lite edition at lunchtime.  Apparently 10.03pm on Monday evening is the best time to arrange a date on the internet!



This article is free, but the reference to Geldof is excluded from the main edition (shame!). May scan it just to show you all!



http://www.thisislondon.com/londoncuts/articles/16064600?source=Evenin g%20Standard




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