The Boomtown Rats - Citizens of Boomtown review: Garage rock jams with very little to say

_johanna_ · Drag Me Down

THE best rats-album

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

_johanna_ wrote:

(can't belive we haven't had this question before, btw) so, yes...the question is simple, which rats-album is your favorite? Not counting the best of/ greatest hits! myself, I'll stick with the debut..

In the Long Grass is very popular. If it was only this popular back in 1985!

Personally, Tonic is the best. Not just the best Rats album, possibly the best album ever! I can only think of a handful of albums that compare. Pulp's His 'n' Hers is closest, but I still side with Tonic For the Troops.

The debut is pretty close, though I don't think of it as quite as accomplished, nor were the songs of the same quality (compare with Howard Hughes/Eva Braun). So that's probably only in the top ten albums of all time! But then, every track released by the Boomtown Rats from Looking after Number 1 to I Don't Like Mondays was great (even B-sides).

Tonic is so good I have six copies.

2 vinyl - first wore out;

4 CDs -

US - with Joey & Mary

UK - with B Sides

Promo Version of re-release

Re-Release - The Ultimate Version with Do the Rat and DUN LAOGHAIRE

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

[P]ossibly the best album ever! I can only think of a handful of albums that compare.

I've fainted. Someone please check to see if I'm still breathing.

Tango · In the Long Grass

i have to agree with arrgee (hehe thats cool) abd say tonic.the title is awesome too.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

It's a class album but In the Long Grass tops it.

kathp89 · Rat Trap

i think that a tonic for the troops is by far the best rats album, especially as it is on this album where rat trap was brought out, so seeing as that is the best single the rats ever did, the album its on has to be just as good. I especially like dunlaoghaire, what does anyone else think about that song?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

franna wrote:

ArrGee wrote: [P]ossibly the best album ever! I can only think of a handful of albums that compare. I've fainted. Someone please check to see if I'm still breathing.

Nope, you're dead

Can't believe you'd be surprised that on a Geldof MB, a die-hard Rats fan (me) would consider Tonic the greatest album ever.

Even on the Clash board, one or two of their members admitted liking the album, and I know a number of people who finding out I like the Rats, have said it is one of their favourite albums

Check this out....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/1RZGSZDBRZ5O3/ref=lm_ol_6/026-5108416-6870045

Chris Graham's comments:
The best album in the world, it has everything. Utterly compelling.

I'm not the only one! (BTW I'm not Chris Graham! check out www.boomtownrats.co.uk)

PS I also consider the Rats the greatest live band I have seen.

franna · V Deep

Who is Chris Graham and why should I care about his opinion?

Liking the record and considering it your favorite of all time are wholly different things. One I can understand, the other is utterly beyond my comprehension.

I guess that's why US citizens like to vacation in the UK - to experience your exotic otherness.

Tango · In the Long Grass

exotic otherness.thats a whole new, yet very nice, way of putting it

Katharina · Dave

Yes ArrGee - who's Chris Graham?

I voted for TFTT as well. Fav. album of all times though - no. That would be DITHON... LOL *onlyjoking* Honestly, I have no idea. Some Bowie album, maybe.

What is your favourite album of all times Fran?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Katharina wrote:

Yes ArrGee - who's Chris Graham?

He runs the official Rats site (www.boomtownrats.co.uk) It's very good!

Tango · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:
It's very good!

its alright but they havent up dated it since June.it doesn't deserve the exclamation mark

franna · V Deep

I don't know what my favorite album of all time is, though sometimes I think it's Aretha Franklin's "First 12 Sides", recorded when she was 18. Sometimes I think it's Achtung Baby, other times it could be any of a number of other things.

As far as albums from THAT side of the pond which rate in the upper stratum, in no particular order: Quadrophenia (or a few other Who records), The White Album (or a few other Beatles records), Sticky Fingers (or a few other Stones records) - then, just a scootch down the ladder of perfection - Saint Dominic's Preview, Aqualung, Dire Straits (the self-titled debut), John Barleycorn Must Die. I'm sure I'll think of more to add to the list.

By the way, Exile On Main Street "saved my life" last weekend. Long story, but it straightened my mind out after some interpersonal weirdness.

I partially take back what I said about exotic otherness. Since his opinion most likely isn't shared by too many people in the UK (or elsewhere) - I simply think ArrGee has very odd taste in music. ArrGee - you should set up your very own tourist trap. With T shirts.

-- Edited by franna at 01:57, 2005-09-24

Tango · In the Long Grass

I love the Bono picture!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

franna wrote:

I simply think ArrGee has very odd taste in music. ArrGee - you should set up your very own tourist trap. With T shirts.-- Edited by franna at 01:57, 2005-09-24

If odd means having the dull old standard acts like the Who, the Stones, the Beatles, U2 and Dire straits excluded from my favorites then I am. ** NOTE: Corrected my double negative to give true meaning to what I wrote **

Though a minority may share my opinion, all the better as far as I'm concerned.

-- Edited by ArrGee at 12:00, 2005-09-26

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

ArrGee wrote:

franna wrote:
I simply think ArrGee has very odd taste in music. ArrGee - you should set up your very own tourist trap. With T shirts.-- Edited by franna at 01:57, 2005-09-24

If odd means not having the dull old standard acts like the Who, the Stones, the Beatles, U2 and Dire straits excluded from my favorites then I am.
Though a minority may share my opinion, all the better as far as I'm concerned.

And you like Oasis, now this is odd! I agree with Fran

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

If odd means not having the dull old standard acts like the Who, the Stones, the Beatles, U2 and Dire straits excluded from my favorites then I am.

As far as I'm concerned, they're "standard[s]" for a reason. I also think it may have something to do with one's chronological age.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

And you like Oasis, now this is odd! I agree with Fran

I liked Oasis. But from Be Here Now onwards I think they have become a plodding parody of their former selves bar one or two decent tracks. Even in their time, I much preferred Pulp/Suede/Blur and still do.

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

If odd means not having the dull old standard acts like the Who, the Stones, the Beatles, U2 and Dire straits excluded from my favorites then I am.

I just realized that was a double negative. ArrGee - beware your typos. So, they're NOT excluded from your favorites list, eh? LOL

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

LOL I hadn't noticed that. So he has good taste after all. Well you like the Rats ArrGee so you are excused of everything anyway.

MMbullybuddyGP · Drag Me Down

Good discussion, johanna

In The Long Grass, definitely. The pretty, great-tuned songs on this album are the majority. In other words, IMO, none of the other albums have as many great-sounding songs compacted in one album as ITLG does. I'll have to write a review of it at some point as I love writing them here.

It's easier to explain why the other BTR albums aren't my favorites.

Debut - Too blues-y, not my taste. Only a couple of stand-out songs.

Tonic - Some great tracks here but the major key of many override the minor key-ed ones...many are 'happy' sounding, but liking 'sadder' sounding songs better, ITLG wins for me.

Surfacing - This one's a close second. Upbeat minor tracks are lovely, but the last few songs become really cheesy (Keep It Up, Nice N Neat, When the Night Comes) (referring to the remastered album order, excluding bounus tracks).

Mongo Bongo - Interesting, quirky tracks for the most part, a few stand-outs...a few embarassments. I don't like cringing listening to Bob and it happens here.

V Deep - A handful of pretty songs, a crock full of dull, droning ones.

ITLG isn't perfect - it has its low points as well (not too fond of Icicle in the Sun or Up or Down), but the good far outweighs the average tracks.

-- Edited by MMbullybuddyGP at 06:05, 2005-09-26

_johanna_ · Drag Me Down

MMbullybuddyGP wrote:
In The Long Grass, definitely. The pretty, great-tuned songs on this album are the majority. In other words, IMO, none of the other albums have as many great-sounding songs compacted in one album as ITLG does.

I'm so surprised that In the long Grass has gotten the most votes so far! Thought for sure it was gonna be Tonic..when I first got In the Long Grass I hated it, was so dissapointed..was probably hoping for another tonic..Like it now though!

Debut - Too blues-y, not my taste. Only a couple of stand-out songs.

say what? too blusey? ha..I wasn't aware that anything could ever be too bluesy I just can't help it...the debut is superior..

(p.s MMbullybuddyGP....where have you been hiding lately? nice to see you back though)

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:

LOL I hadn't noticed that. So he has good taste after all. Well you like the Rats ArrGee so you are excused of everything anyway.

Ironically enough, it's liking the Rats so much that started all this.

Anyway, you've convinced me. Pulp's His 'n' Hers is my favourite album. Stating that on a Pulp MB would elicit a response from fans who agree.

It's really strange that on a Boomtown Rats message board stating that Tonic, is in my personal opinion, is possibly the best album of all time, meets with such derision.

Do any of the people posting on this board actually like the Boomtown Rats that much? Are they just some band you have a bit of an interest in, but you really all like U2?

I know Franna doesn't like them, but some of you must.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

MMbullybuddyGP wrote:

  Debut - Too blues-y, not my taste. Only a couple of stand-out songs.

I like it because it is bluesy! And like all the tracks. Second for me.

Tonic - Some great tracks here but the major key of many override the minor key-ed ones...many are 'happy' sounding, but liking 'sadder' sounding songs better

Tonic sounds upbeat, but lyrically it deals with isolation (Howard Hughes), suicide (Living on an Island), hopelessness (Rat Trap), paranoia (Can't Stop), and surburban monotony (Normal People).   Throw in a couple of put downs of the Media and it Girls (or whatever they were back then), an arrogant Hitler monologue and desperately seeking, and it's not that happy at all! Clockwork is the only upbeat track (if there is one at all!).

Surfacing - This one's a close second. Upbeat minor tracks are lovely, but the last few songs become really cheesy (Keep It Up, Nice N Neat, When the Night Comes) (referring to the remastered album order, excluding bounus tracks).

I agree. At points, Surfacing is so good, but some of the song arrangements are poor, and give it that cheesy sound. The bop shoo wops on Nice 'n' Neat at the end are especially grating.

Mongo Bongo - Interesting, quirky tracks for the most part, a few stand-outs...a few embarassments. I don't like cringing listening to Bob and it happens here.

I agree, one or two cringe worthy tracks.

V Deep - A handful of pretty songs, a crock full of dull, droning ones.

Again I agree, combining the best of this and Mondo would have yielded something special, but then again the worst of both.....

ITLG isn't perfect - it has its low points as well (not too fond of Icicle in the Sun or Up or Down), but the good far outweighs the average tracks

I really do like this album, and it has the strongest collection of songs since the first two albums. The only things are it could have been better produced, and had the Rats had a better lead guitarist then it could have sparkled a bit more. That said, I think it's a very good album, certainly better than Surfacing (and a lot less cheesy!)

-- Edited by ArrGee at 13:38, 2005-09-26

Tango · In the Long Grass

ArrGee wrote:

Do any of the people posting on this board actually like the Boomtown Rats that much? Are they just some band you have a bit of an interest in, but you really all like U2? I know Franna doesn't like them, but some of you must.

i like the boomtown rats that much.and i have a lot of interest in them.and u2 arent in my top5 (at the least) groups

_johanna_ · Drag Me Down

ArrGee wrote:

Do any of the people posting on this board actually like the Boomtown Rats that much? Are they just some band you have a bit of an interest in, but you really all like U2? I know Franna doesn't like them, but some of you must.

ha... just for the record: there are few bands out there I detest more than u2 and yes...I do actually like the rats

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

_johanna_ wrote:

ha... just for the record: there are few bands out there I detest more than u2 and yes...I do actually like the rats

Sometimes I think I'm the only one. The Boomtown Rats from 1978 - 1990 or so were my favourite band, and though Pulp are probably a band I empathise with a lot more these days, the Rats still rank highly (The last 15 years have yielded some cracking bands, and I've grown up, but they were my first love ).

However, Tonic for the Troops affects me like no other album. Maybe it was being a 14-y-o discovering music, learning the lyrics off by heart, and all the chords etc. but save His 'n' Hers there's no other record that I continually come back to.

I was too young to grow up with the Beatles/Stones/Kinks etc., so although I can appreciate some of their work, it's not that personal to me. The Rats are. I read everything about them, went to see them, bought all the records, posters, t shirt and so on. And all on the strength of that one album.

Now it may not make the 100 greatest albums of all time voted for by NME, Rolling Stone or even this message board. I'm not sure many of my top 100 albums would make any list. But I like it, it's integral to my life and that's what matters! (and I'm surprised that on a Boomtown Rats MB no one seems to feel the same way)

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

The Boomtown Rats are my all time favourite band, above all and everything else. But ArrGee I think you probably know that already

Mark Boyle · House on Fire

No contest for me, it's got to be "The Fine Art of Surfacing", the dark psychological album. The band were at their peak at this point & not afraid to experiment without becoming self indulgent as they did in the suicidal "Mondo Bongo". The last album with Mutt Lange & he rang every last drop out of them as much as the band did with one another.

"I Don't Like Mondays", "Diamond Smiles" & "Someone's Looking At You" go without saying (although in each case the tighter single versions were much better), but there's also the brilliantly edgy "Sleep" (debatably the best Rats song never to become a single), & the song "When The Night Comes" that warned me in childhood of the danger of allowing oneself to be mentally dragged down by the routines of life & seeking solace in quick fixes to relieve the boredom of everyday existence - still one of Geldof's lyrical masterpieces in those opening few lines of the lyric.

franna · V Deep

Mouse wrote:

Franna.....As you dont actually like the rats much, surely you cannot understand the full enthusiasm of someone that does. am i wrong?!?! (probs)

No you are not wrong. I thought that was pretty much the point.

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

Maybe it was being a 14-y-o discovering music, learning the lyrics off by heart, and all the chords etc. ... I was too young to grow up with the Beatles/Stones/Kinks etc., so although I can appreciate some of their work, it's not that personal to me.

Proving my point about chronological age. I remember how the Beatles' "A Day In The Life" terrified me when I first heard it (I was probably around nine), my excitement when Tommy was released (was I twelve or thirteen?)...getting Exile as a present for my fifteenth birthday...

-- Edited by franna at 22:15, 2005-09-26

MMbullybuddyGP · Drag Me Down

ArrGee - it was nice reading your replies to my review Regarding Tonic, you are right. Lyrically 'down' in many tracks. Musically upbeat & happy sounding, and that's what made it not my favorite.

It's shallow in a way, because I base my band likings more on the musical sound rather than the lyrics. (Also I have to admire/appreciate the artist somewhat as well, as a person.) A "good song" to me is one that really gets my attention with a good tune. And then, if it happens to be lyrically brilliant, more power to it. However, I've never loved a song solely for its lyrics. But I think it's more strong or something for those who love songs for their words & meanings before the outer shell of the music. yeah.

The BTR are up there in my top 5 bands - yes, ArrGee, I like them a lot! For a band that I've only had about a year's history with, it's climbed its way up - extremely quickly. Main reason is Bob & his (obviously heavy) involvement with the Rats, but the band as a whole is fantastic as well.

johanna, you made me smile. I was gone for awhile because for whatever reason, I've been unable to access the forum, and any advice given to me didn't work either, which sucked. But magically, I've been able to get on here & access all areas since last night. don't know how or why, but I'm glad

-- Edited by MMbullybuddyGP at 22:22, 2005-09-26

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mouse wrote:

Hmm. Arrgee....So glad you have so much love for the rats!!!! They deserve having a fan like you

I can be a little obsessive

Before this kicks off again, let me state, I have a lot of respect for Franna's opinions and she is one of the posters I enjoy reading [though not the only one!]. I know she isn't a Rats' fan, but I was a bit put out that she "fainted" when I stated I thought Tonic was the best album ever. And as for that being "utterly beyond comprehension".....

But I agree with Franna (as I do on a lot of issues) on A Day in the Life, terrifying, but possibly the greatest album track ever. And certainly the best thing the Beatles ever did (cue enormous argument!)

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark Boyle wrote:

The last album with Mutt Lange & he rang every last drop out of them as much as the band did with one another.

I think the relationship with Mutt Lange had to end with that album. Strangely they didn't plan to have him for either Tonic or Surfacing, but it just so happened they didn't like any one else (I think Phil Wainman did some tracks on Surfacing after Mondays, but it didn't work).

I think that had the Rats found a more contemporary/hard working producer than Visconti for Mondo Bongo and V Deep they would have been better albums.

Langer/Winstanley, Hugh Padgham, Chris Thomas or Steve Lillywhite would possibly have been better producers for the Rats at that stage.

Oddly enough, Visconti has no recollection of the Boomtown Rats......

http://www.tonyvisconti.com/artists/other.shtml

BTW Did u know Visconti was married to Mary Hopkin. Those were the days!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/maryhopkin/pages/biography.shtml

franna · V Deep

ArrGee wrote:

I was a bit put out that she "fainted" when I stated I thought Tonic was the best album ever. And as for that being "utterly beyond comprehension".....

ArrGee...you know I love you. (At least I hope you do, and OK, small L since I've never even met you....). While those quoted statements are, from my perspective, true - I probably posted them as much to tease you as for any other reason. Given that 1) I see you as someone with a good sense of humor, and 2) thinking you were well aware that our musical tastes are often wildly opposed, I never thought you'd take it to heart the way you did. If I'd known you'd react that way, I wouldn't have hit the submit button. My apologies.

I'm not up for fighting about the Beatles at the moment. Maybe later.

-- Edited by franna at 00:08, 2005-09-27

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

franna wrote:

ArrGee...you know I love you. (At least I hope you do, and OK, small L since I've never even met you....).

While those quoted statements are, from my perspective, true - I probably posted them as much to tease you as for any other reason. Given that 1) I see you as someone with a good sense of humor, and 2) thinking you were well aware that our musical tastes are often wildly opposed, I never thought you'd take it to heart the way you did.

I do and same to you with a little L as well.

1) Thanks.

2) I do know your musical taste and mine are quite different. I wasn't too surprised at your response, just at how extreme it was!

No need to apologise, I think it's a good debate. Should be more of this kind of thing on this MB.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mouse wrote:

Is it just me, or cant anyone esle get into the main site...www.bobgeldof.info

Im desperate to find out about tickets. Im almost certain the UEA tickets are sold out, but as i have only just coughed up the money to pay my dad, i would still be extremly devestated I was soo desperate..... Ive never seen him......

Both subjects are covered elsewhere

i) the site is down. Don't know why. Probably Tina/Ian are on holiday!

ii) Plenty of UEA tickets available....

http://www.ticketline.co.uk/event_availability.asp?EventId=36254&PerformanceId=2687213

and a link for Shepherd's Bush, if that helps...

http://www.stargreen.com/events?artist=BOB_GELDOF#10852

-- Edited by ArrGee at 17:38, 2005-09-27

Ian · House on Fire

Arrgee - with reference to Tony Visconti, I have a BBC book published in 1982 to accompany the Radio One series The Record Producers. Visconti is one of the producers covered and he talks about his time producing the Boomtown Rats stuff. When I get a bit more time I will put some of the articles on the message board.

Ian

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Ian wrote:

Arrgee - with reference to Tony Visconti, I have a BBC book published in 1982 to accompany the Radio One series The Record Producers. Visconti is one of the producers covered and he talks about his time producing the Boomtown Rats stuff. When I get a bit more time I will put some of the articles on the message board.
Ian

Don't know if it was on that broadcast, but I remember hearing how Visconti was surprised that the Rats and Geldof in particular didn't have much idea of what they wanted to do before they came into the studio.-Thats the one-Ian

When you get the chance, I'd be very interested to read that.

-- Edited by Tina McBain at 16:43, 2005-09-28

Mark Boyle · House on Fire

franna wrote:
Proving my point about chronological age. I remember how the Beatles' "A Day In The Life" terrified me when I first heard it (I was probably around nine), my excitement when Tommy was released (was I twelve or thirteen?)...getting Exile as a present for my fifteenth birthday... -- Edited by franna at 22:15, 2005-09-26

Yeah, know what you mean about "A Day In The Life", it still remains a rather unsettling song even today.

Small tip, NEVER find yourself listening to it, whilst on your own, in a building reputed to be haunted. Your imagination does overtime

franna · V Deep

Mark Boyle wrote:

Yeah, know what you mean about "A Day In The Life", it still remains a rather unsettling song even today.

Small tip, NEVER find yourself listening to it, whilst on your own, in a building reputed to be haunted. Your imagination does overtime

No worries, I seriously doubt I'd allow myself to be alone in a building reputed to be haunted, period. My imagination would do overtime even without the music.

Drunc · She's So Modern

I love In The Long Grass and was delighted to see it's long overdue release on CD.

But my vote had to go to The Fine Art Of Surfacing. Possibly my favourite album of all time, along with ELO's Time, Magnum's On A Storyteller's Night and Uriah Heep's Return To Fantasy.

Mark Boyle · House on Fire

Drunc wrote:

I love In The Long Grass and was delighted to see it's long overdue release on CD. But my vote had to go to The Fine Art Of Surfacing. Possibly my favourite album of all time, along with ELO's Time, Magnum's On A Storyteller's Night and Uriah Heep's Return To Fantasy.

Good call on ELO's "Time" album. Still beggers believe that "Twilight" was such a minor hit & that "The Way Life's Meant To Be" was the only ELO single that never charted at all.

Then again, equally implausible was that they threw away the brilliant "Julie Don't Live Here (Anymore)" as a B-Side & only made it available on the reissued CD a few years ago!

Ah, those halcyon days of 1979 when the Boomtown Rats & ELO reigned supreme - TFAOS 7 Discovery....

(And David Jason was still only known for "A Sharp Intake Of Breath" & not as Del Boy or Inspector Frost - "Time rolls on & on" indeed!)

Drunc · She's So Modern

Mark Boyle wrote:

Drunc wrote: I love In The Long Grass and was delighted to see it's long overdue release on CD. But my vote had to go to The Fine Art Of Surfacing. Possibly my favourite album of all time, along with ELO's Time, Magnum's On A Storyteller's Night and Uriah Heep's Return To Fantasy. Good call on ELO's "Time" album. Still beggers believe that "Twilight" was such a minor hit & that "The Way Life's Meant To Be" was the only ELO single that never charted at all. Then again, equally implausible was that they threw away the brilliant "Julie Don't Live Here (Anymore)" as a B-Side & only made it available on the reissued CD a few years ago! Ah, those halcyon days of 1979 when the Boomtown Rats & ELO reigned supreme - TFAOS 7 Discovery.... (And David Jason was still only known for "A Sharp Intake Of Breath" & not as Del Boy or Inspector Frost - "Time rolls on & on" indeed!)

Yes, Julie Don't Live Hear Anymore is one of the best tracks on time and worth the price of the remaster alone.

fodleg · I Don't Like Mondays

I had to vote for "tonic" as the best BTRs cd/lp-I remember when I irst bought in back in 78 and playing it ALL day-the reissue is fantastic-nice to have "Dunlaoghaire" as a cd track finally

as far as the my Fav lp ever-I guess I would have to vote for "Tonic" again-but Pink Floyds-the Wall is in close running..........

Mark L · Loudmouth

The Fine Art of Surfacing

I still find it odd that it spent around half the time on the charts than ATFTT did, even though Rat Trap from ATFTT spent half the time at number 1 than Mondays from TFAOS did. The other 2 singles from TFAOS seemed more successful than the 2 from ATFTT, but i suppose 44 weeks on the chart validates all those choosing ATFTT.

I think the other Mark further up this thread puts it so well as to why I like this album so much.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

It's not a cop out but for me all 6 albums have more than satisfied me over the years and I honestly don't have a favourite.

I was 16 / 17 when Mondo Bongo and V Deep came out so the whole teenage intensity thing, musically was played out with those albums as a soundtrack of sorts, so I've always had strong feelings about those two lp's and what they meant to me at the time.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Time to resurrect this?

My Album scores (for what they are worth)

The Boomtown Rats 99/100

A Tonic for the Troops 100/100

Surfacing 90/100

Mondo Bongo 80/100

V Deep 75/100

In The Long Grass 91/100

Citizens 70/100

So Citizens in 7th but not a bad 7th if you catch my drift

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Time to resurrect this?

My Album scores (for what they are worth)

The Boomtown Rats 99/100
A Tonic for the Troops 100/100
Surfacing 90/100
Mondo Bongo 80/100
V Deep 75/100
In The Long Grass 91/100
Citizens 70/100
So Citizens in 7th but not a bad 7th if you catch my drift

So is 70 out of 100 a quite good album, 75 is good etc?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Time to resurrect this?

My Album scores (for what they are worth)

The Boomtown Rats 99/100
A Tonic for the Troops 100/100
Surfacing 90/100
Mondo Bongo 80/100
V Deep 75/100
In The Long Grass 91/100
Citizens 70/100
So Citizens in 7th but not a bad 7th if you catch my drift
So is 70 out of 100 a quite good album, 75 is good etc?

yes, pretty good. Deep In The Heart of Nowhere would be about 10/100. Diito Gung~Ho.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Time to resurrect this?

My Album scores (for what they are worth)

The Boomtown Rats 99/100
A Tonic for the Troops 100/100
Surfacing 90/100
Mondo Bongo 80/100
V Deep 75/100
In The Long Grass 91/100
Citizens 70/100
So Citizens in 7th but not a bad 7th if you catch my drift
So is 70 out of 100 a quite good album, 75 is good etc?

yes, pretty good. Deep In The Heart of Nowhere would be about 10/100. Diito Gung~Ho.

I am genuinely confused at your rankings /scores. A while back about V Deep, you wrote Ultimately, it isn't a good album.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
I am genuinely confused at your rankings /scores. A while back about V Deep, you wrote Ultimately, it isn't a good album.

I'm sure I did. I doubt I have been wholly consistent over the last 15 years or so I have been opining on here.

Noel · Dave

I give COB only 50/100. I rank it 7th of all the albums. Listened to a few tracks today like Monster Monkeys and Postcard which are two of the better tracks. Also listened to Get a Grip, a song that doesn't really take off for me. Same with She Said No. Infact the verses aren't too bad but I find the 'she said no' part flat and repetitive, even worse live,when Geldof insists the audience chants it ad nauseam. In short things ain't working out, down on the farm.

ArrGee summed it up brilliantly when he said this is not the sound of the band I remember from my teenage years. Probably impossible to pick up from where they left off in 1984. That magic is sadly gone. cry

-- Edited by Noel on Saturday 14th of March 2020 05:18:45 PM

Mark L · Loudmouth

Had a listen today to all tracks. It's a good album overall. It's better than V Deep in my book. It's presently on a par with Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass for me. It's not as good as the first three albums. I'm a great fan of Trash Glam Baby so I start from a good place! Really sorry for those that see it as a disappointment. No Tomorrow Like Today should have been on the album as should Back to Boomtown, with The Boomtown Rats and Rock n Roll Ye Ye deleted. Then I'd have said better than Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass.

A great return, lots to like, some tracks to skip but nothing as catastrophic as the Little Death, Charmed Lives and the Bitter End. Don't get the hype over Monster Monkeys but happily don't get the disdain shown for KISS (far from it).

Well done guys, my money's been well spent!

Mike menzies · V Deep

Myfiiiave is itlg 2was tonic 3is citizen4is 1st 5is fine art 6is creep 7 mondo

Mike menzies · V Deep

Meant deep not creep spell checker playing up again also think songs on citizen are fab nothing to dislike still playing it non stop

Mark L · Loudmouth

Mike menzies wrote:
Meant deep not creep spell checker playing up again also think songs on citizen are fab nothing to dislike still playing it non stop

That's great Mike. Genuinely pleased for you that the Rats as you see and hear it have released an album that trumps most of their others.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
Had a listen today to all tracks. It's a good album overall. It's better than V Deep in my book. It's presently on a par with Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass for me. It's not as good as the first three albums. I'm a great fan of Trash Glam Baby so I start from a good place! Really sorry for those that see it as a disappointment. No Tomorrow Like Today should have been on the album as should Back to Boomtown, with The Boomtown Rats and Rock n Roll Ye Ye deleted. Then I'd have said better than Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass.
A great return, lots to like, some tracks to skip but nothing as catastrophic as the Little Death, Charmed Lives and the Bitter End. Don't get the hype over Monster Monkeys but happily don't get the disdain shown for KISS (far from it).
Well done guys, my money's been well spent!

I like Bitter End a lot, and thing The Little Death is not a bad song. It reminds me of the brilliant novel The Man With The Golden Arm, a novel about a 1950s jazz trumpeter addicted to heroin. It's the novel turned into a song. Certainly more interesting subject matter than banal and cliched song lyrics about Bob's 'sweet thing', and bloody rock n roll self regarding.Get a Grip is just mundane, and the Irish Times music critic picked up on that too so it's not just me.

When I listen to KISS I keep getting something like Mclarens Buffalo Gals, certainly a hint of Geldof's inner cowboy. It certainly is friggin weird, and not in a good way. Just cannot get my head around it.

Monster Monkeys is a lot more solo Bob than ratticus Bob, that said I find it my favourite track.

Overall the critics have been quite generous. None of them have panned it. In the end it's all down to the individual as to what they think constitutes a good song. The listener brings a lot to the experience.

It's like two food critics arguing over a meal. One likes it the other doesn't. What's the solution? smile

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Had a listen today to all tracks. It's a good album overall. It's better than V Deep in my book. It's presently on a par with Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass for me. It's not as good as the first three albums. I'm a great fan of Trash Glam Baby so I start from a good place! Really sorry for those that see it as a disappointment. No Tomorrow Like Today should have been on the album as should Back to Boomtown, with The Boomtown Rats and Rock n Roll Ye Ye deleted. Then I'd have said better than Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass.
A great return, lots to like, some tracks to skip but nothing as catastrophic as the Little Death, Charmed Lives and the Bitter End. Don't get the hype over Monster Monkeys but happily don't get the disdain shown for KISS (far from it).
Well done guys, my money's been well spent!
I like Bitter End a lot, and thing The Little Death is not a bad song. It reminds me of the brilliant novel The Man With The Golden Arm, a novel about a 1950s jazz trumpeter addicted to heroin. It's the novel turned into a song. Certainly more interesting subject matter than banal and cliched song lyrics about Bob's 'sweet thing', and bloody rock n roll self regarding.Get a Grip is just mundane, and the Irish Times music critic picked up on that too so it's not just me.
When I listen to KISS I keep getting something like Mclarens Buffalo Gals, certainly a hint of Geldof's inner cowboy. It certainly is friggin weird, and not in a good way. Just cannot get my head around it.
Monster Monkeys is a lot more solo Bob than ratticus Bob, that said I find it my favourite track.
Overall the critics have been quite generous. None of them have panned it. In the end it's all down to the individual as to what they think constitutes a good song. The listener brings a lot to the experience.
It's like two food critics arguing over a meal. One likes it the other doesn't. What's the solution?

Agree to disagree and have a drink

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Had a listen today to all tracks. It's a good album overall. It's better than V Deep in my book. It's presently on a par with Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass for me. It's not as good as the first three albums. I'm a great fan of Trash Glam Baby so I start from a good place! Really sorry for those that see it as a disappointment. No Tomorrow Like Today should have been on the album as should Back to Boomtown, with The Boomtown Rats and Rock n Roll Ye Ye deleted. Then I'd have said better than Mondo Bongo and In the Long Grass.
A great return, lots to like, some tracks to skip but nothing as catastrophic as the Little Death, Charmed Lives and the Bitter End. Don't get the hype over Monster Monkeys but happily don't get the disdain shown for KISS (far from it).
Well done guys, my money's been well spent!
I like Bitter End a lot, and thing The Little Death is not a bad song. It reminds me of the brilliant novel The Man With The Golden Arm, a novel about a 1950s jazz trumpeter addicted to heroin. It's the novel turned into a song. Certainly more interesting subject matter than banal and cliched song lyrics about Bob's 'sweet thing', and bloody rock n roll self regarding.Get a Grip is just mundane, and the Irish Times music critic picked up on that too so it's not just me.
When I listen to KISS I keep getting something like Mclarens Buffalo Gals, certainly a hint of Geldof's inner cowboy. It certainly is friggin weird, and not in a good way. Just cannot get my head around it.
Monster Monkeys is a lot more solo Bob than ratticus Bob, that said I find it my favourite track.
Overall the critics have been quite generous. None of them have panned it. In the end it's all down to the individual as to what they think constitutes a good song. The listener brings a lot to the experience.
It's like two food critics arguing over a meal. One likes it the other doesn't. What's the solution?
Agree to disagree and have a drink

Great answer! Was just reading a negative review from the Evening Standard in London. Only 2 stars out of 5. Maybe I should go for a drink with the guy who wrote it. smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Was just reading a negative review from the Evening Standard in London. Only 2 stars out of 5. Maybe I should go for a drink with the guy who wrote it.

Not a good idea. He will probably infect you! Shame the review didn't mention the better songs. Trash Glam Baby and the eponymous song are the worst and KISS when it descends into rap is strange which is a shame cos it starts off well. Rock N Roll Yé Yé is OK, but yes somewhat hackneyed. Can't disagree with what was wriiten, but the other five tracks more than redeem the album.

https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/the-boomtown-rats-citizens-of-boomtown-review-a4386606.htmlhttps://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/the-boomtown-rats-citizens-of-boomtown-review-a4386606.html

The Boomtown Rats - Citizens of Boomtown review: Garage rock jams with very little to say

Hes been raising bucket-loads for charity for so long, its easy to forget Bob Geldof was once one of the biggest pop stars of his generation. Hes back with the Boomtown Rats for their first album in 36 years sadly, one which feels like it was way more fun to make than it is to listen to.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on Citizens of Boomtown is that Geldof one of the most sincere and outspoken figures in rock seems to have so little to say. The band spend most of the album labouring through garage rock jams like Trash Glam, Baby and Rock N Roll Yé Yé, with hackneyed lyrics about Saturday night fighting and the Spiders From Mars.

There are bizarre moments too. K.I.S.S., their attempt at a crowd-pleasing anthem, complete with rapped verses, feels almost as strange as the incongruous trance-inflected tracks Get a Grip and The Boomtown Rats.

Introspective ballad Passing Through is the best thing here, with Geldof appearing to be singing about his late daughter Peaches (Why didnt you tell me / Im only passing through / stopping here a little while). But its an all too fleeting moment of candour. Were glad Bob and the lads had a good time digging the guitars out of the loft, but we cant imagine therell be any new citizens moving to Boomtown after this.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Sunday 15th of March 2020 01:28:29 PM