Citizens of Boomtown - Out 13th March 2020

Mike menzies · V Deep

New Album Update

Noel · Dave

Derek The Dane wrote:
Now pushed back to the last week of May. No more delays according to a person on fb.

No more delays according to a person on fb.

Not just any person. The info was posted by Pete Briqutte so pretty reliable I'd say. smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Citizens of Boomtown - Out 13th March 2020

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

New Album Update

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
probably could have done with a little proof reading, unless they really are exiting now...

I spotted that. Too much brexit on his mind? And since when was Eva Braun and When the wife comes hits?!

Mike menzies · V Deep

Great poster looking forward to this new album they still have a presence on the music scene hope some local gigs to me (which are wheelchair friendly) I live in hope at least there is some activity I thought they had hibernated in 2019 so great news

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
probably could have done with a little proof reading, unless they really are exiting now...
I spotted that. Too much brexit on his mind? And since when was Eva Braun and When the wife comes hits?!

And Joey is on the plural streets again. It is wrong so often in recent years.

Mike menzies · V Deep

Yeh but they're tracks off hit albums and are classic rat tracks no tracks from v deep or itlg but most people knew the. For the1st 3lps so I suppose that's why they get played

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Citizens of Boomtown - Out 13th March 2020

diffbrook · House on Fire

New Album Update

Mark L · Loudmouth

diffbrook wrote:
Who is this poster aimed at? Festival organisers, tour promoters or both.

I would much rather see the band on tour, with an audience that really wants to see them, as opposed to a festival of "who cares"?. Quit happy to see them in smaller places. I'm sure they can fill Leeds Brudnell or York Fibbers and certainly London Roundhouse.

Plus, they will sell some vinyl/CD on a tour, but zilch at a festival.

But, they will need to announce a tour soonish

Well put

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

diffbrook wrote:
Who is this poster aimed at? Festival organisers, tour promoters or both.

I would much rather see the band on tour, with an audience that really wants to see them, as opposed to a festival of "who cares"?. Quit happy to see them in smaller places. I'm sure they can fill Leeds Brudnell or York Fibbers and certainly London Roundhouse.

Plus, they will sell some vinyl/CD on a tour, but zilch at a festival.

But, they will need to announce a tour soonish

Anyone who would book them.

The Roundhouse is a pretty big venue! Must hold about 2,000.

I don't know the numbers but there is a lot of merchandise sold at festivals. And a fairly captive audience who can purchase at their leisure. I spent £30 at Brentwood last summer as we were just meandering around looking at stalls and a bite to eat before Roland Gift and Squeeze came on.

I don't expect a tour. They had a couple at the outset and the ticket sales were mixed. Big in London/Dublin, not so much in the provinces. Might do some one offs when they guarantee an audience of 1,000 plus paying full whack otherwise not worth the bother. When I went to Cambridge Corn Exchange there were a lot of discounted tickets.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Apart from a certain person telling us that the release date is in late May there is still nothing anywhere. As of yet BMG have still not confirmed the Boomtown Rats have signed for them. If the album is being released in May I expect to hear something by the end of this month.Also I cannot see any live dates anywhere.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
Apart from a certain person telling us that the release date is in late May there is still nothing anywhere. As of yet BMG have still not confirmed the Boomtown Rats have signed for them. If the album is being released in May I expect to hear something by the end of this month.Also I cannot see any live dates anywhere.

There could be all sorts in the pipeline so I wouldn't worry too much. If someone connected with the Rats is reading this, why not contact the guys at All Points East and get on the bill for Saturday 25th May 2019? Because it looks like one of the best I have seen for a good few years! And if the LP was released that weekend...

SAT 25 MAY 2019, VICTORIA PARK, LONDON E3

THE STROKES, THE RACONTEURS, INTERPOL, JOHNNY MARR, JARVIS C0CKER PRESENTS JARV IS...

+ MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

PS - Glastonbury is back this year, so maybe...

Noel · Dave

If the album is supposedly coming out in May I hope there is a single released in advance. People have got to hear how the Rats sound now. No looking back, let's hope Mega or whatever it's going to be called can stand on it's own feet (so to speak) and the songs will be good enough to warrant a tour. Otherwise what's the point of bringing out a new album, or recording new songs?

Any of the gigs I've been at have always seemed well attended. I take particular notice of this, as I like to look around at the audience and get a feel of the scale of the gig. It's certainly not just one man and his dog. So touring the new album seems pretty likely. There is an audience out there. If the reviews are good, and we had a chance to hear a single or two in advance (call me old fashioned) then there's no reason not to tour. Again if the album gets decent reviews that will produce a lot of goodwill and hopefully give people a reason for going to see the band.

Must say finally that the whole lack of information and communication about new album is totally at odds with how great the band is on stage.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
If the album is supposedly coming out in May I hope there is a single released in advance. People have got to hear how the Rats sound now. No looking back, let's hope Mega or whatever it's going to be called can stand on it's own feet (so to speak) and the songs will be good enough to warrant a tour. Otherwise what's the point of bringing out a new album, or recording new songs?
Any of the gigs I've been at have always seemed well attended. I take particular notice of this, as I like to look around at the audience and get a feel of the scale of the gig. It's certainly not just one man and his dog. So touring the new album seems pretty likely. There is an audience out there. If the reviews are good, and we had a chance to hear a single or two in advance (call me old fashioned) then there's no reason not to tour. Again if the album gets decent reviews that will produce a lot of goodwill and hopefully give people a reason for going to see the band.
Must say finally that the whole lack of information and communication about new album is totally at odds with how great the band is on stage.

Have to agree with this. The album was announced in mid 2017 for heaven's sake!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

I hope the new LP is funded...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/top-of-the-flops-geldof-s-dud-album-hit-by-fraud-claim-9bd8ds3ld

https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/bob-geldof-anti-poverty-campaigner-legal-row-tax-avoidance-fraud/

The funding of his 2011 album, How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell, was at the centre of a High Court hearing last week that heard allegations of a complex financial fraud.

Geldof must spend most of his time in courts these days...

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
I hope the new LP is funded...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/top-of-the-flops-geldof-s-dud-album-hit-by-fraud-claim-9bd8ds3ld
https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/bob-geldof-anti-poverty-campaigner-legal-row-tax-avoidance-fraud/

The funding of his 2011 album, How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell, was at the centre of a High Court hearing last week that heard allegations of a complex financial fraud.

Geldof must spend most of his time in courts these days...

You see the judge and then you check the jury... ...

Chart position 89? Would that be around 3000 sales

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Chart position 89? Would that be around 3000 sales

89 is better than I thought it did. Neither Sex Age & Death nor The Happy Club charted in the UK, so impressive it did chart.

Geldof did OK touring How to Compose Songs That Will Sell Cadogan House sold out and there were a few bums on seats elsewhere. So even if the album wasn't a massive seller, the attendant publicity seems to help (bit of radio play and a few print/radio interviews from what I remember). He did include a few of those songs in the live set, so will be interesting (funding permitting) if similar happens with the new Rats LP, though barring the one off of playing Dave as a tribute to Dave McHale nothing off the last 3 albums has been played to my knowledge since 2008 by any incarnation of the Rats.

As for number of sales, given an average top 40 album sells over 4,000 I guess it is far less.

https://www.dittomusic.com/blog/how-are-the-music-charts-calculated

PS - even I seemed to like it to some degree... http://theboomtownrats.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-geldof-album-58.html

Mark L · Loudmouth

Radio 2 played Silly etc quite a bit which I suppose must have helped. I quite liked it but nowhere near as much as my least favourite Rats' albums.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Radio 2 played Silly etc quite a bit which I suppose must have helped. I quite liked it but nowhere near as much as my least favourite Rats' albums.

albums?

They only had 6! How many did you dislike?

I reckon if I combined all of Geldof's best solo tracks, it would probably be better than V Deep, though probably not Mondo Bongo.

If I combined all the worst Rats tracks, it would probably be a little worse than How To Compose. Though probably better than Deep in the Heart of Nowhere and possibly Happy Club.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Radio 2 played Silly etc quite a bit which I suppose must have helped. I quite liked it but nowhere near as much as my least favourite Rats' albums.
albums?
They only had 6! How many did you dislike?
I reckon if I combined all of Geldof's best solo tracks, it would probably be better than V Deep, though probably not Mondo Bongo.
If I combined all the worst Rats tracks, it would probably be a little worse than How To Compose. Though probably better than Deep in the Heart of Nowhere and possibly Happy Club.

I like all of the Rats' six albums, but some more than others and ATFTT and TFAOS stand head and shoulders above everything. V Deep was my least favourite Rats' album, with Mondo Bongo next up.

I think you may have interpreted 'least favourite' as active dislike! If you rank the albums 1 to 6, V Deep would be sixth and TFAOS most favourite, but just a whisker ahead of ATFTT.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

As an aside, The Specials are #1 in the album charts despite the demise of HMV (or maybe because). I don't suppose there is any prospect of Rats doing similar...

www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-specials-on-scoring-their-first-number-1-album-with-encore-the-timing-couldnt-have-been-better__25537/

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
As an aside, The Specials are #1 in the album charts despite the demise of HMV (or maybe because). I don't suppose there is any prospect of Rats doing similar...

www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-specials-on-scoring-their-first-number-1-album-with-encore-the-timing-couldnt-have-been-better__25537/

Who can say for certain? The Specials released a couple of albums that failed to chart, whereas the Rats didn't apart from ITLG? Similar singles and albums discography I would suggest. The time is right to Rerat and go back to Boomtown and if the songs hark back to the golden days as promised, then it could happen to the Rats.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Not going to be called MEGA according to the person on fb. He also wrote "oops". No idea what that means but he promised to get back to me.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Derek The Dane wrote:
Not going to be called MEGA according to the person on fb. He also wrote "oops". No idea what that means but he promised to get back to me.

Mystic ArrGee strikes again!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
Not going to be called MEGA according to the person on fb. He also wrote "oops". No idea what that means but he promised to get back to me.
Mystic ArrGee strikes again!

Maybe time to predict the album title...

... all it needs to be is simple and come out top when used in an amazon search. Ideally with no mention of Boomtown or words containing rat. Or MEGA.

Also bundling it with a live greatest hits CD would do no harm. Worked well enough for The Specials. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Encore-Specials/dp/B07JJRT28N/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1550504477&sr=8-1

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
Not going to be called MEGA according to the person on fb. He also wrote "oops". No idea what that means but he promised to get back to me.
Mystic ArrGee strikes again!
Maybe time to predict the album title...
... all it needs to be is simple and come out top when used in an amazon search. Ideally with no mention of Boomtown or words containing rat. Or MEGA.
Also bundling it with a live greatest hits CD would do no harm. Worked well enough for The Specials. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Encore-Specials/dp/B07JJRT28N/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1550504477&sr=8-1

Totally agree it should be a phrase or line from one of the songs which will stand out, like surfacing, tonic, v deep, long grass etc. Mega is just a totally generic, overused dull and lazy l title, liable to be used against the band if the album doesn't actually turn out to be mega. Which knowing that many journalists have been gunning for Geldof and the Rats for years is liable to happen.

Probably worst album title is Mondo Bongo, but it's a pretty good album all the same, save two or three songs.

Every time I think of the Rats new album I keep hearing Johnny Logan singing What's Another Year smile

How are people going to buy the album? Most likely it will come out on vinyl and cd as well. Good thing about streaming is that it can be heard all over the world, same with Internet presence, while long ago many people did not have access to the music, or got it at a later stage, sometimes years later.

Wish we could get a snippet or sample of some of the songs. It's just a pain having to wait so long with no info or updates on Facebook. I'm starting to think the fans are being taken granted a bit. Even if we just had a definite release date we could have a countdown clock, just like for Brexit smile

-- Edited by Noel on Tuesday 19th of February 2019 01:30:22 PM

Mark L · Loudmouth

Running the clockwork down!

England in May .........

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:

Totally agree it should be a phrase or line from one of the songs which will stand out, like surfacing, tonic, v deep, long grass etc. Mega is just a totally generic, overused dull and lazy l title, liable to be used against the band if the album doesn't actually turn out to be mega. Which knowing that many journalists have been gunning for Geldof and the Rats for years is liable to happen.

Probably worst album title is Mondo Bongo, but it's a pretty good album all the same, save two or three songs.
How are people going to buy the album? Most likely it will come out on vinyl and cd as well. Good thing about streaming is that it can be heard all over the world, same with Internet presence, while long ago many people did not have access to the music, or got it at a later stage, sometimes years later.
Wish we could get a snippet or sample of some of the songs. It's just a pain having to wait so long with no info or updates on Facebook. I'm starting to think the fans are being taken granted a bit. Even if we just had a definite release date we could have a countdown clock, just like for Brexit

For reference, Damned's Latest LP was called Evil Spirits, Wilko Johnson's Blow Your Mind and Specials called their Encore (the last making a lot of sense as a follow up to their 2nd LP More Specials). All three come up first on an amazon search. As an aside ,The Stranglers' Giants doesn't even appear on the front page and Norfolk Coast is not top of tje page either. Dare I say it a title like Mondo Bongo would make a lot of sense as it would be snappy enough to remember and be top of the searches (though ironically Joe Strummer's Mondo Bongo is first rather than The Rats). Totally agree that calling the album Mega would be a stick to beat the record with.

I suspect people will mainly buy it on Amazon in the UK as HMV/FOPP is pretty much gone (though I did buy Wilko Johnson's Blow Your Mind at FOPP in Nottingham on Sunday). It will definitely be on Deezer, Spotify, and Apple Music. It would also be a smart move to have all the first 6 LPs on Prime Music and get some sort of Amazon mail shot or site banner. The Specials have all their old LPs on Prime Music, but Encore is only on the full blown unlimited.

No need for any samples as I don't think it will make much difference. They don't take fans for granted cos they don't have that many! Anyway most, if not, all fans will buy it regardless so in the grand scheme of things fans don't matter. What does matter is those who might have liked the Rats back in the day hearing about a new LP and deciding to have a listen or actually buy the album in some format. For the record, I did pay 58p for Ratlife ep download!

I suspect a release date along with festival and possibly tour dates are imminent. Also would be handy if the Mondays movie was out. If I was the Rats agent, I would be pushing for opening slots at the likes of Glastonbury, T at The Park, Reading and Leeds so they get some BBC TV coverage. Obviously Geldof would have to say or do something controversial on stage, but that is second nature! Having a couple of brilliant new songs would also help.

Noel · Dave

it will all probably hit us like a deluge when the 26 songs are released. But I have a feeling the album will be whittled down to about ten or eleven tracks. Doubtless some of the remaining songs will turn up eventually, either as b sides on vinyl if there are a couple of single/ep releases, or just posted on Facebook.

Any gigs I've attended always seem well attended, sometimes surprisingly so. Sometimes people ask on the Facebook site about the new album and they never seem to reply to or even acknowledge or appreciate that. I'd call that taking fans for granted and not good business practice if anyone knows anything about the rudiments of marketing.

Having said that I'll be like all the other suckers and gladly reach into my wallet the day the album is finally released. Having had a sleepless night anticipating the new songs the evening before. smile

PS Was in Tower Records Dawson St a few days ago. kinda sad when you think of the glory days of record stores. Now you get a handful of middle aged people shuffling around, and a few students looking through the vinyl. Everything is online/digital. Vinyl is overpriced.very few people buy cd's. A lot of the time record stores don't have what you are looking for, so unfortunately their days are not necessarily over, but the digital genie is not going back in that bottle any time soon.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
it will all probably hit us like a deluge when the 26 songs are released. But I have a feeling the album will be whittled down to about ten or eleven tracks. Doubtless some of the remaining songs will turn up eventually, either as b sides on vinyl if there are a couple of single/ep releases, or just posted on Facebook.
Any gigs I've attended always seem well attended, sometimes surprisingly so. Sometimes people ask on the Facebook site about the new album and they never seem to reply to or even acknowledge or appreciate that. I'd call that taking fans for granted and not good business practice if anyone knows anything about the rudiments of marketing.
Having said that I'll be like all the other suckers and gladly reach into my wallet the day the album is finally released. Having had a sleepless night anticipating the new songs the evening before.
PS Was in Tower Records Dawson St a few days ago. kinda sad when you think of the glory days of record stores. Now you get a handful of middle aged people shuffling around, and a few students looking through the vinyl. Everything is online/digital. Vinyl is overpriced.very few people buy cd's. A lot of the time record stores don't have what you are looking for, so unfortunately their days are not necessarily over, but the digital genie is not going back in that bottle any time soon.

Agree with every word of this Noel and it's a sad state of affairs. I've called the record company and twice they've promised someone will get back to me and twice they have not. If I did that in my job to a customer there would be serious questions asked.

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
Noel wrote:
it will all probably hit us like a deluge when the 26 songs are released. But I have a feeling the album will be whittled down to about ten or eleven tracks. Doubtless some of the remaining songs will turn up eventually, either as b sides on vinyl if there are a couple of single/ep releases, or just posted on Facebook.
Any gigs I've attended always seem well attended, sometimes surprisingly so. Sometimes people ask on the Facebook site about the new album and they never seem to reply to or even acknowledge or appreciate that. I'd call that taking fans for granted and not good business practice if anyone knows anything about the rudiments of marketing.
Having said that I'll be like all the other suckers and gladly reach into my wallet the day the album is finally released. Having had a sleepless night anticipating the new songs the evening before.
PS Was in Tower Records Dawson St a few days ago. kinda sad when you think of the glory days of record stores. Now you get a handful of middle aged people shuffling around, and a few students looking through the vinyl. Everything is online/digital. Vinyl is overpriced.very few people buy cd's. A lot of the time record stores don't have what you are looking for, so unfortunately their days are not necessarily over, but the digital genie is not going back in that bottle any time soon.
Agree with every word of this Noel and it's a sad state of affairs. I've called the record company and twice they've promised someone will get back to me and twice they have not. If I did that in my job to a customer there would be serious questions asked.

Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Noel wrote:
it will all probably hit us like a deluge when the 26 songs are released. But I have a feeling the album will be whittled down to about ten or eleven tracks. Doubtless some of the remaining songs will turn up eventually, either as b sides on vinyl if there are a couple of single/ep releases, or just posted on Facebook.
Any gigs I've attended always seem well attended, sometimes surprisingly so. Sometimes people ask on the Facebook site about the new album and they never seem to reply to or even acknowledge or appreciate that. I'd call that taking fans for granted and not good business practice if anyone knows anything about the rudiments of marketing.
Having said that I'll be like all the other suckers and gladly reach into my wallet the day the album is finally released. Having had a sleepless night anticipating the new songs the evening before.
PS Was in Tower Records Dawson St a few days ago. kinda sad when you think of the glory days of record stores. Now you get a handful of middle aged people shuffling around, and a few students looking through the vinyl. Everything is online/digital. Vinyl is overpriced.very few people buy cd's. A lot of the time record stores don't have what you are looking for, so unfortunately their days are not necessarily over, but the digital genie is not going back in that bottle any time soon.
Agree with every word of this Noel and it's a sad state of affairs. I've called the record company and twice they've promised someone will get back to me and twice they have not. If I did that in my job to a customer there would be serious questions asked.
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?

No, it's not.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?

I would have thought you would have been around long enough to know how poor the Rats presence on the www is. The official Rats/Geldof site, twitter, facebook, youtube are all pretty poor in their own way. That said there are plenty of acts who don't do it well, but inevitably there is one that does https://www.davidbowie.com/home. Who else?

Still this is up on the Geldof website hidden deep in the latest news.

Bob Geldof + Support Saturday 17.08.2019 at 20:00 ' Schloß Salder Museumsstraße. 34 38229 Salzgitter

Regarding "...all the other suckers and gladly reach into my wallet the day the album is finally released." Not sure there are that many suckers. Suspect I will get it in one form or another as I inevitably do, but will probably have a listen on Deezer/Tidal first. Never got a physical ratsh!t ep, and don't suppose I ever will. As you wrote "Everything is online/digital. Vinyl is overpriced. Very few people buy CDs.". Very true.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?
Having had their fingers burnt on Facebook over the London 40th anniversary gig that never happened, there is no reason to give a release date for an LP that has been mooted for almost two years now.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?
Having had their fingers burnt on Facebook over the London 40th anniversary gig that never happened, there is no reason to give a release date for an LP that has been mooted for almost two years now.

No reason? What reasons do you need? Respect for the fans? Promote interest?

Mark L · Loudmouth

No reason should be taken off the table biggrin

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?
Having had their fingers burnt on Facebook over the London 40th anniversary gig that never happened, there is no reason to give a release date for an LP that has been mooted for almost two years now.
No reason? What reasons do you need? Respect for the fans? Promote interest?

What would happen if a date was set and then it was decided it would be postponed?

However, we ain't discussing Brexit

There isn't much point promoting anything three months in advance. It won't make any difference. What is needed is the perfect storm. Let's say the LP was released on 13 July to coincide with the original release of Mondays, following a controversial appearance at Glastonbury, the release of Brenda Spencer and the Mondays movie. Would having another w@nky video on Facebook be of any consequence?

So no reason to do any promotion. They need to know what the summer schedule is first. If they do one of the BBC broadcast festivals, they should have the album ready to go. And make sure Geldof gets them noticed!

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
Well if I was running the Rats Facebook page I would at least give an outline of when the album is expected to be released, rather than just saying nothing and then of course expecting everyone to go out and buy it. It's not asking much really is it?
Having had their fingers burnt on Facebook over the London 40th anniversary gig that never happened, there is no reason to give a release date for an LP that has been mooted for almost two years now.
No reason? What reasons do you need? Respect for the fans? Promote interes

However, we ain't discussing Brexit

Looking forward to something meaningful by mid March but I am absolutely clear a delayed album is better than no album. But no album is better than a bad album. Nothing has changed.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

September Release on BMG

Album to be called "Citizens of Boomtown" and to contain 10 tracks

Netflix documentary

Hardback book of lyrics

Tour

(More to follow, this is just a brief from Peter Barton's management email I received, but my email is down so I can't show anymore.)

-- Edited by ArrGee on Wednesday 27th of February 2019 04:22:52 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

What the email actually says....

This September BMG release "Citizens Of Boomtown" the brand NEW Rats album. 10 mega Ratstrax for today. New videos, a full Netflix documentary, on this mighty band, a brand new hardback book of lyrics, a full touring schedule blah-di-blah etc... Time is a continuum. Then is Now as it is also Will Be. Like The Boomtown Rats and their forever music. Timeless. Legendary. Great....

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Citizens of Boomtown - The new LP

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

RE: Citizens of Boomtown - The new LP - September 2019

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
Not going to be called MEGA according to the person on fb. He also wrote "oops". No idea what that means but he promised to get back to me.
Mystic ArrGee strikes again!
Maybe time to predict the album title...
... all it needs to be is simple and come out top when used in an amazon search. Ideally with no mention of Boomtown or words containing rat. Or MEGA.
Also bundling it with a live greatest hits CD would do no harm. Worked well enough for The Specials. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Encore-Specials/dp/B07JJRT28N/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1550504477&sr=8-1

Sadly they couldn't resist. I'd like to think the tracks don't have any mention of Boomtown or words containing rat or MEGA., but suspect that won't be the case...

Mark L · Loudmouth

That is a poor album title.

Not sure what this Boomtown Fair or City is but this comes up on a search

https://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/news/2018-05-29-citizens-of-boomtown-ch9/

Mark L · Loudmouth

What happened to the 26 tracks and the drip feed of EPs

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
Now pushed back to the last week of May. No more delays according to a person on fb.
Now September 2019.

Let's have a meaningful vote that this gets pushed back again to 2020 and will be called 2020 vision of Boomtown or something similarly crass.

Mega was better and that's saying something

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
Now pushed back to the last week of May. No more delays according to a person on fb.
Now September 2019.
Let's have a meaningful vote that this gets pushed back again to 2020 and will be called 2020 vision of Boomtown or something similarly crass.
Mega was better and that's saying something

I like the "Citizens of" part. I think that is fine in the way that "Vegetarians of Love" is a good album title. Just needs a similarly cryptic/abstract place to be citizens of. I just don't see why Boomtown has to be the thing they are citizens of. The last hits album was "Back to Boomtown". which for a compilation is fine, but not for a first album of new material in over 30 years.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
What happened to the 26 tracks and the drip feed of EPs

That was never going to happen. Probably whittled down to the top ten tracks and who else is releasing EPs? Bowie did one each off back of The Next Day and Blackstar, but no one else has in recent times. And dare I write it, He is/was David Bowie.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Thursday 28th of February 2019 12:16:16 AM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Did have the thought that the LP should probably be called "Senior Citizens of ...."

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Boomtown - it's an annual music festival which takes place just outside Winchester.

-- Edited by Lisa on Thursday 28th of February 2019 01:26:39 PM

Mark L · Loudmouth

Thanks Lisa. Hope you are well.

Are the Rats missing a trick not playing at this?

Mark L · Loudmouth

What is Boomtown?

Boomtown is a five day festival set in the Matterley bowl in Hampshire, UK. Now heading into its 11th chapter, the 66,000 capacity event fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with immersive art, theatre and performance coming together as a living, breathing, fictitious city.

Boomtown is one of the UKs largest truly independent festivals. It is made up of 14 fully immersive unique areas and follows a storyline that evolves each year to create a world within a world. Boomtown is a theatrically-led experience like no other with hundreds of actors bringing the film-like street sets to life. Citizens are encouraged to become their inner character and be a part of the story themselves

Mark L · Loudmouth

Mark L wrote:
What is Boomtown?
Boomtown is a five day festival set in the Matterley bowl in Hampshire, UK. Now heading into its 11th chapter, the 66,000 capacity event fuses a diverse line-up of underground and global music with immersive art, theatre and performance coming together as a living, breathing, fictitious city.
Boomtown is one of the UKs largest truly independent festivals. It is made up of 14 fully immersive unique areas and follows a storyline that evolves each year to create a world within a world. Boomtown is a theatrically-led experience like no other with hundreds of actors bringing the film-like street sets to life. Citizens are encouraged to become their inner character and be a part of the story themselves

So are they trying to make a connection calling the new album Citizens of Boomtown?!

A little bit of free, accidental / coincidental advertising?

Lisa · Mondo Bongo

Hi Mark, yes very well thank you, hope all well with you too!

I must admit my heart skipped a beat when I first saw this advertised years ago as I thought maybe the Rats had a whole festival to themselves! It would certainly attract attention if they were to play, but I must admit I've never been ...

The website says the genre at the festival is :Electronic, rock, reggae, dub, folk, world, hip hop

Always seems to attract a load of people into the area, crowds of fans at the train station and the supermarkets are busy with people pushing trolley loads of alcohol!

Maybe I will get a day ticket one year - certainly would if the Rats were there! Personally though I would rather see them on their own at a smaller venue.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Are the Rats missing a trick not playing at this?

No - Really not a festival for The Rats. No one there would have been born at the time of Live Aid.

Glastonbury would be fine and even at a stretch Reading/Leeds, otherwise probably better off sticking with the Let's Rock/Rewind/Butlins festivals they often appear at.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Are the Rats missing a trick not playing at this?
No - Really not a festival for The Rats. No one there would have been born at the time of Live Aid.
Glastonbury would be fine and even at a stretch Reading/Leeds, otherwise probably better off sticking with the Let's Rock/Rewind/Butlins festivals they often appear at.

Really? Given that Killing Joke, the Specials, UB40 and Jimmy Cliff have played or are due to play Boomtown, I see no reason why the Boomtown Rats can't play.

Furthermore, teenagers are only allowed in with +30 year olds. Live Aid was less than 30 years old when this fair started.

It certainly isn't as nostalgic and maybe therefore as appropriate as Rewind, but given the Rats have new music, why not?

I can see Bob now tacking on a few 'Rats' signs to the existing Boomtown signs to capitalise on two thirds of their name being provided for free!

That certainly would have been his approach in the late 70s smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Furthermore, teenagers are only allowed in with +30 year olds.

I better tell #1 son as that's where he planning to go this summer. (though he is 19 so should be OK) I am definitely not going no matter who plays.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Furthermore, teenagers are only allowed in with +30 year olds.
I better tell #1 son as that's where he planning to go this summer. (though he is 19 so should be OK) I am definitely not going no matter who plays.

13 to 18 year olds require someone to accompany them.

I bet if the Rats, Pulp, Oasis, Julian Cope and Squeeze did a day, you'd think about it pretty hard smile

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Furthermore, teenagers are only allowed in with +30 year olds.
I better tell #1 son as that's where he planning to go this summer. (though he is 19 so should be OK) I am definitely not going no matter who plays.
13 to 18 year olds require someone to accompany them.
I bet if the Rats, Pulp, Oasis, Julian Cope and Squeeze did a day, you'd think about it pretty hard

I can think all I like, but Mrs. ArrGee and I are off to sunnier climes, so I am definitely not going.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Furthermore, teenagers are only allowed in with +30 year olds.
I better tell #1 son as that's where he planning to go this summer. (though he is 19 so should be OK) I am definitely not going no matter who plays.
13 to 18 year olds require someone to accompany them.
I bet if the Rats, Pulp, Oasis, Julian Cope and Squeeze did a day, you'd think about it pretty hard
I can think all I like, but Mrs. ArrGee and I are off to sunnier climes, so I am definitely not going.

You hope! We had friends who went to 'sunnier climes' last summer spending £4k in the process. We went to Devon and Cornwall and had 10 sunny days!

Our friends had 5 days of cloud and rain.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Lisa wrote:
Hi Mark, yes very well thank you, hope all well with you too!

I must admit my heart skipped a beat when I first saw this advertised years ago as I thought maybe the Rats had a whole festival to themselves! It would certainly attract attention if they were to play, but I must admit I've never been ...

The website says the genre at the festival is :Electronic, rock, reggae, dub, folk, world, hip hop

Always seems to attract a load of people into the area, crowds of fans at the train station and the supermarkets are busy with people pushing trolley loads of alcohol!

Maybe I will get a day ticket one year - certainly would if the Rats were there! Personally though I would rather see them on their own at a smaller venue.

Hi Lisa. All good here thanks. Nice to hear you're alive and well...do miss posts from you, Jules and Suss et al.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Lisa wrote:
Hi Mark, yes very well thank you, hope all well with you too!

I must admit my heart skipped a beat when I first saw this advertised years ago as I thought maybe the Rats had a whole festival to themselves! It would certainly attract attention if they were to play, but I must admit I've never been ...

The website says the genre at the festival is :Electronic, rock, reggae, dub, folk, world, hip hop

Always seems to attract a load of people into the area, crowds of fans at the train station and the supermarkets are busy with people pushing trolley loads of alcohol!

Maybe I will get a day ticket one year - certainly would if the Rats were there! Personally though I would rather see them on their own at a smaller venue.
Hi Lisa. All good here thanks. Nice to hear you're alive and well...do miss posts from you, Jules and Suss et al.

Forums are dying. I use this cos all other social media is banned on our intranet. And to converse with you on holidays and teenagers

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I do not not understand why the album was not released last year in September.It was ready then but they were going to wait until the new year because they did not want it to get released pre Xmas. Its all got a bit Brexity with know one having a real clue about whats really going on.When Bobs on the radio saying Jan/Feb then Feb/March then we are told no later than May.They may as well have a picture of the house of commons as the front cover.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
I do not not understand why the album was not released last year in September. It was ready...

I don't know if it was ready. May have been a lot of it recorded, but may not have been mixed and there was no tour to accompany it. Also could well be that BMG weren't ready to promote it. Also they may have a couple of newer songs or re-recordings.

If the Netflix documentary and the book accompany it along with a few good festival/TV appearances and a autumn/winter tour then it would be worth the wait.

All that written don't be surprised if it's not called Citizens of Boomtown and it is not released in September 2019. That's only what is known right now and is not 100% official.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Derek The Dane wrote:
They may as well have a picture of the house of commons as the front cover.

I agree with you Derek and that's a good line!!

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Derek The Dane wrote:
I do not not understand why the album was not released last year in September. It was ready...
I don't know if it was ready. May have been a lot of it recorded, but may not have been mixed and there was no tour to accompany it. Also could well be that BMG weren't ready to promote it. Also they may have a couple of newer songs or re-recordings.
If the Netflix documentary and the book accompany it along with a few good festival/TV appearances and a autumn/winter tour then it would be worth the wait.
All that written don't be surprised if it's not called Citizens of Boomtown and it is not released in September 2019. That's only what is known right now and is not 100% official.

Hope they change the name, but would not be happy with more delays. Between June 78 and Jan 81 they released 3 albums, two of them superlative. In the gap from announcement in July 17, they are struggling to release one.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
Hope they change the name, but would not be happy with more delays. Between June 78 and Jan 81 they released 3 albums, two of them superlative. In the gap from announcement in July 17, they are struggling to release one.

Has it really been delayed? I suspect that the mooted dates were just to generate some press. Given the band is part time these days and only able to convene around other commitments they probably worked pretty hard in the time they had together. Most likely they have had less total studio time than any of the first six LPs.

Seeing what happened with The Specials, BMG might do more promotion than they would have if the LP was released any time in the last 18 months.

I suspect the album name will change. Better than MEGA for many reasons, but dropping Boomtown would be a start, and maybe Citizens is too easily morphed into Senior Citizens which isn't exactly Rock n Roll.

Mark L · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Hope they change the name, but would not be happy with more delays. Between June 78 and Jan 81 they released 3 albums, two of them superlative. In the gap from announcement in July 17, they are struggling to release one.

I suspect the album name will change. Better than MEGA for many reasons, but dropping Boomtown would be a start, and maybe Citizens is too easily morphed into Senior Citizens which isn't exactly Rock n Roll.

I marginally prefer Mega to Citizens. I did however like Vegetarians of Love. Is your suspicion based on anything you've heard or just a hunch?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

No one tells me anything. I have been persona non grata in the Geldof world for a number of years. Luckily neither he nor his tour manager know what I look like. Well I don't think they do! The days of me getting insider information (not that it ever happened much) are long over. Pretty much everything I write is guesswork and hunches.

As an aside, I don't think he reads this nonsense anymore but if u r out there Happy Non-Birthday Ian!

-- Edited by ArrGee on Friday 1st of March 2019 08:26:21 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Mark L wrote:
Hope they change the name, but would not be happy with more delays. Between June 78 and Jan 81 they released 3 albums, two of them superlative. In the gap from announcement in July 17, they are struggling to release one.

I suspect the album name will change. Better than MEGA for many reasons, but dropping Boomtown would be a start, and maybe Citizens is too easily morphed into Senior Citizens which isn't exactly Rock n Roll.
I marginally prefer Mega to Citizens. I did however like Vegetarians of Love. Is your suspicion based on anything you've heard or just a hunch?

Mega to Citizens has a certain ring to it! Reminds me of Judge Dredd from 2000AD. However I still think Mega is best avoided as it will return 1000s of results.

Mark L · Loudmouth

On the basis they were V Deep without Cott, I suggest they are 4 Deeper without Cott and Fingers. Only problem is that returns a film called Deeper 4!

Noel · Dave

Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday 13 April. Maybe release something for that? Even one of the better of the supposed 26 tracks that will not make it onto the final album.

Re proposed new album title Citizens is a little more appealing than Mega, Netflix doc might give good exposure if it actually happens, or will that go the way of the 26 tracks and ep's. I don't think anything can be guaranteed.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday 13 April. Maybe release something for that? Even one of the better of the supposed 26 tracks that will not make it onto the final album.
Re proposed new album title Citizens is a little more appealing than Mega, Netflix doc might give good exposure if it actually happens, or will that go the way of the 26 tracks and ep's. I don't think anything can be guaranteed.

The better Rats' albums all have an 'a' in the title, so Citizens is joining company with V Deep and Mumbo Jumbo biggrin

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday 13 April. Maybe release something for that? Even one of the better of the supposed 26 tracks that will not make it onto the final album.
Re proposed new album title Citizens is a little more appealing than Mega, Netflix doc might give good exposure if it actually happens, or will that go the way of the 26 tracks and ep's. I don't think anything can be guaranteed.

Agree with the Record Store Day idea but doubt it will happen. On the other hand, have to keep reminding myself this whole reunion thing has provided 6 years of unexpected interest and entertainment which is a good bonus..and on it goes into 2020 it would seem, if the characteristic delays are continued!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday 13 April. Maybe release something for that?

Too late

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases

FWIW I am no fan of record store day. It's a racket to get people to buy based on rarity. And anything I might want will have been sold to a mate who will put it up on eBay for the highest bidder.

I suspect this will be on eBay on 13th April with a very inflated price. Zero chance of getting one in store. Not that I want it, but there would be plenty who would. I suspect very few of them will ever be played as no one would want to play it and decrease its value.

The Europa EP	U2	UMC-Island	12" Vinyl Single	'RSD First'	5000

-- Edited by ArrGee on Tuesday 5th of March 2019 11:42:01 AM

Mike menzies · V Deep

Hope this is not wishful thinking. But im playing each play one a month till sept 1/4/19is first album then tonic this time next month I'm hoping they are still going ahead with this release

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Well its May and still nothing really official anywhere.No news from BMG about signing the Rats and no date for the album or live concerts.I expect it all to take of from July if the album is to be released in September.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
Well its May and still nothing really official anywhere.No news from BMG about signing the Rats and no date for the album or live concerts.I expect it all to take of from July if the album is to be released in September.

Not even a festival date this summer. I would be surprised if an LP turns up in 2019. Or ever if truth be told.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

They have 1 very expensive gig in Poland but thats it at the moment(15th May).

-- Edited by Derek The Dane on Friday 3rd of May 2019 04:07:42 PM

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Citizens of Boomtown - The new LP - September 2019?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
According to a certain person on social media it is getting released in Feb 2019.

This is what I mean. The "certain person" obviously knows nothing.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
Apart from a certain person telling us that the release date is in late May

Next time the "certain person" tells you anything ignore it. It is always wrong. The "certain person" is welcome to join the forum. Kind of ironic, the "certain person" is less than certain and is always totally utterly 100% wrong.

Mark L · Loudmouth

I thought Pete Briquette himself said end of May. One might have hoped there would be a reliability in his words as band member. It sounds like the record company are being dilatory for some reason.

The only end of May we saw was Theresa May as we all await becoming citizens of Johnson

Noel · Dave

Mark L wrote:
I thought Pete Briquette himself said end of May. One might have hoped there would be a reliability in his words as band member. It sounds like the record company are being dilatory for some reason.
The only end of May we saw was Theresa May as we all await becoming citizens of Johnson

Video shoot of first single next week. Pete not even disclosing song name ('I'd get in trouble....')

Check PB's Facebook

No reason to dispute/doubt album release- possibly around autumn with live dates. Maybe if first single gets some airplay/decent Youtube watches then the whole thing will take off. It certainly will have a 'curiosity value' seeing its the first Boomtown Rats music in eons.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
It certainly will have a 'curiosity value' seeing its the first Boomtown Rats music in eons.

Aside from the Ratsh!t ep has been rightly consigned to the dustbin of music history.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:

Check PB's Facebook

He will have to change his name to Pete Bremain.

His post about craving those times gone by when we were ALL happy in the EU made me laugh out loud. What planet is he on?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:

Pete not even disclosing song name ('I'd get in trouble....')

Probably has Rat or Boomtown in it.

Noel · Dave

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
It certainly will have a 'curiosity value' seeing its the first Boomtown Rats music in eons.
Aside from the Ratsh!t ep has been rightly consigned to the dustbin of music history.

Oops forgot about that one! Well this will be a full, proper album not an ep that totally went under the radar.

ps Does seem eons since Ratlife (the least listened to Rats product in my career as a Rats fan) smile

-- Edited by Noel on Sunday 16th of June 2019 03:20:36 PM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:
ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:
It certainly will have a 'curiosity value' seeing its the first Boomtown Rats music in eons.
Aside from the Ratsh!t ep has been rightly consigned to the dustbin of music history.
Oops forgot about that one! Well this will be a full, proper album not an ep that totally went under the radar.

I have mostly, but every now and again it will come up on my deezer flow play, no matter how many thumbs down I put on it

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Noel wrote:

ps Does seem eons since Ratlife (the least listened to Rats product in my career as a Rats fan) smile

Can never be long enough ago. Dont think I have heard much worse in my puff. How long is an eon? Looked it up and it is a billion years. Never in a billion years have I heard such tosh :-0

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
Noel wrote:

Check PB's Facebook

He will have to change his name to Pete Bremain.
His post about craving those times gone by when we were ALL happy in the EU made me laugh out loud. What planet is he on?

Fair play to him he liked my critical comment! Maybe he will soon be Pete Brexitte, which would scan far better!

Rats Fan · Never In A Million Years

Update about citizens of Boomtown today on the Facebook page. I'm really excited for the release (I know everybody's going to slag off the EP and say it better not be like that), but after 35 years to have a new album by The Boomtown Rats is an amazing thing. I hope it gets embraced. Geldof's last solo album was fantastic. The Rats have been in blistering live form since the reunion in 2013. I'd love to hear what a new record will sound like.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Rats Fan wrote:
Update about citizens of Boomtown today on the Facebook page.

Where is it?

Rats Fan · Never In A Million Years

On Bob Geldof facebook page. As to where the album is... I'm not responsible for that.

-- Edited by Rats Fan on Sunday 23rd of June 2019 11:54:32 AM

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

The Bob Geldof page -obviously not the rats one. Thanks.

Noel · Dave

Rats Fan wrote:
Update about citizens of Boomtown today on the Facebook page. I'm really excited for the release (I know everybody's going to slag off the EP and say it better not be like that), but after 35 years to have a new album by The Boomtown Rats is an amazing thing. I hope it gets embraced. Geldof's last solo album was fantastic. The Rats have been in blistering live form since the reunion in 2013. I'd love to hear what a new record will sound like.

Re the ep everybody was just giving an honest opinion and the vast majority felt very disappointed with it, including me. Frankly it was the weakest thing they've ever done, None of those songs would ever have gotten on a Rats album back in the day. Generally music fans call it like it is.

The Rats are one of the very few bands who have make six really good albums, very consistent with some very minor weak bits. So the stakes are high. They have had the last two and a half years to get this album right so hopefully something pretty decent should emerge. You certainly can't say it's been rushed, though the Ratlife ep seems to have suffered that fate.

I think Geldof's last solo album had some good songs. his lyrics are always excellent 'Out there in the unforgiving... there's people living lives without mercy or pity'. I don't think we will be let down lyrics wise with the new album. Just hope the ten songs are worthy or their predecessors. It's a lot easier to embrace good songs, didn't take much effort in the past. If they can bottle some of the raw live energy into the new album they I'll be happy. smile

Mark L · Loudmouth

Noel wrote:
Rats Fan wrote:
Update about citizens of Boomtown today on the Facebook page. I'm really excited for the release (I know everybody's going to slag off the EP and say it better not be like that), but after 35 years to have a new album by The Boomtown Rats is an amazing thing. I hope it gets embraced. Geldof's last solo album was fantastic. The Rats have been in blistering live form since the reunion in 2013. I'd love to hear what a new record will sound like.
Re the ep everybody was just giving an honest opinion and the vast majority felt very disappointed with it, including me. Frankly it was the weakest thing they've ever done, None of those songs would ever have gotten on a Rats album back in the day. Generally music fans call it like it is.
The Rats are one of the very few bands who have make six really good albums, very consistent with some very minor weak bits. So the stakes are high. They have had the last two and a half years to get this album right so hopefully something pretty decent should emerge. You certainly can't say it's been rushed, though the Ratlife ep seems to have suffered that fate.
I think Geldof's last solo album had some good songs. his lyrics are always excellent 'Out there in the unforgiving... there's people living lives without mercy or pity'. I don't think we will be let down lyrics wise with the new album. Just hope the ten songs are worthy or their predecessors. It's a lot easier to embrace good songs, didn't take much effort in the past. If they can bottle some of the raw live energy into the new album they I'll be happy.

Agree wholeheartedly with this, with the addition that I actually quite liked the track Back to Boomtown. The nostalgia of the lyrics (again excellent) with the nod back to the sax brilliance on Rat Trap elevated the track well above its three siblings on the ep.