Boomtown

Boomtown

ASIN: B000001E6S

Track Listings

1. Who's That Man

2. Big Ol' Truck

3. Victoria's Secret

4. No Honor Among Thieves

5. Upstairs Downtown

6. You Ain't Much Fun

7. In Other Words

8. Woman Behind the Man

9. Life Was a Play (The World a Stage)

10. Boomtown

Tracks:

Welcome To The Boomtown
Swallowed By The Cracks
Ain't So Easy
Being Alone Together
A Rock For The Forgotten
River's Gonna Rise
Swimming In The Ocean
All Alone In The Big City
Heroes

Customer Reviews:

David and David-Boomtown-CD.......2007-06-18

Really good CD. I really like David Baerwald.

great memories, lost in time.......2007-05-14

When this album came out, I worked at a computer graphic company. There were 5 of us, 4 guys and one girl, all young and all stereotypic of the time. This cassette was in the boombox in the office and we wore it out over the course of the next year. Every evening after work was spent in the local bar, recounting the day. When the company went under we all were blown to disperate places on the map, some of us surviving, some of us getting dragged under. This album pretty much fits that story well and when I hear it I am taken back to those days of young cameraderie.

If you'll notice, the reviews here are mostly by men. The reason is simply that this is the quentessential "guy rock" album. It's for lone wolves and troubled times... basically a soundtrack for any man struggling with demons and hoping for better times. It plays much like a great movie is watched and will stick with you for a long time.

80's band worth hearing again........2007-05-07

This album is as good as I remembered it. I spent many nights listening to David & David in high school. The first five tracks are the best. This isn't bubble gum pop. Give it a listen.

An album without any missteps.......2007-04-11

This is one of the best albums I've ever purchased. I bought it back when it was first released (yes, on vinyl), and then I purchased the cd. It is superb.

The songs cover a broad range of topics: drug use, domestic abuse, etc. I like the brutal honesty the songwriters display. They don't shy away from really addressing a topic that might make people cringe. "Ain't So Easy," for example, is superb--the domestic abuser's perspective, complete with ingratiating pleas and enraged threats. My students listen to it and are surprised to find the song was put out two decades ago, long before it became the "in" thing to address these issues in popular music. (Note: I'm not saying these issues were never addressed; but my students' perception is that only recently have songwriters felt free to write clearly and honestly about them.)

Buy this cd--you won't regret it!

Who said eighties music sucked?.......2007-03-09

Well, for starters I have this item in VINYL! I bought the LP as soon as it came out, when I was a teenager, hooked by the two catchy singles "welcome to the boomtown" and "swallowed by the cracks" ad I loved every single track!!!
Their "dire straits-esque" songwriting is slick and genuine, and their lyrics (albeit a bit depressing, at some points, with their stories of losers, crushed hopes and urban loneliness) are very interesting.
On the LP's inner sleeve there also was an accurate Italian translation of all the lyrics! Not that I needed them but still it was a clever touch!
Probably they did the same for the other European markets like France, Germany and so on...
Highly recommended!!!

Average customer rating:

In the end there's dancing, songs and smiles.
Way too digital
The Fine Art of the Boomtown Rats
an excellent bit of the "new wave"
Greatest album, but...

The Fine Art of Surfacing
The Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Boomtown Rats - Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1978
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ASIN: B00076SJPA
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

Someone's Looking at You
Diamond Smiles
Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)
Having My Picture Taken
Sleep (Fingers Lullaby)
I Don't Like Mondays
Nothing Happened Today
Keep It Up
Nice N Neat
When the Night Comes
Episode #3 [*]
Real Different [*]
How Do You Do? [*]
Late Last Night [*]
Nothing Happened Today [Live in Cardiff][Live][*]

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1979 and 3rd album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 4 bonus tracks 'Real Different' (B-side), 'How Do You Do' (B-side), 'Late Last Night' (B-side) & 'Nothing Happened Today' (live in Cardiff). Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

In the end there's dancing, songs and smiles........2007-01-21

The Boomtown Rats made a big leap to art-rock on their third album. They'd advanced their ambitions quickly over two albums, going from punky power rockers to anthems of the common Englander. For "The Fine Art Of Surfacing," they began to go for bigger things. The first single was unlike anything else they'd attempted, the controversial "I Don't Like Mondays." No guitars, just piano and an orchestra. The payoff was a huge international hit everywhere but the US.

It also found Bob Geldof moving on to darker themes. Granted, the first two albums played with themes of suicide and paranoia, but for every "Living On an Island" on "Tonic," there was also a more lighthearted "She's So Modern." On "The Fine Art Of Surfacing," the songs are still often exuberant and hook laden, but thematically, never quite as chipper. It makes for some great songs again, especially "Wind Chill Factor Minus Zero" and "Sleep (Fingers' Lullaby)." "Surfacing" was the last excellent Rats album. While "Mondo Bongo" had its moments, the Boomtown Rats' records after this were never as even or as exciting.

I do have a quibble about the re-master on "Surfacing." It seems to have been mastered way too "hot" for some of the songs. The drums and percussion compress out - especially on "Someone's Looking At You" and "Wind Chill Factor Minus Zero" - and distort. For a re-master, that's bad news.

Way too digital.......2006-12-13

Like many others, I have waited a long time for this to become available on CD again. It is one of my favorite albums. However upon listening with headphones (is there any other way?) the digital noise usually associated with low bitrate mp3s is everywhere. Particularly "Mondays", "Keep It Up", "Nice & Neat" and blatantly on "Episode #3". In comparing it to a CD copy of my own clean record, the sound of that, digitized though it may be, is much better than this release. Maybe we have become so digital that most of us no longer hear these imperfections, but as an avid present-day record listener, I recommend saving your money and putting it towards a quality turntable. Remaster? Possibly. High quality? Definitely not.

The Fine Art of the Boomtown Rats.......2006-11-05

I saw the Boomtown Rats the first time on the tv show FRIDAYS in 1979 or 1980 and have been in love since.
Everyone loves "Mondays", but "Diamond Smiles" is my friends all time fave and I will always love "Having My Picture Taken" or maybe "Sleep" or maybe, well, every song on this record is good.
This is a GREAT album.

an excellent bit of the "new wave".......2005-07-12

most people tend to write reviews because they really love a cd, or they really hate it. this is, by far the best rats cd/album. i am so happy it is finally available on cd. "mondays" of course, is the famous track, but its all good: life, love, paranoia: the rat's take on it is delivered with fine musicianship, great production, and bob geldof's sneer. i dont even care about the bonus tracks, they are o.k., the main album is wonderful and highly reccomended.

Greatest album, but..........2005-06-03

Greatest rats album, great re-issue etc...

BUT, To disagree with the reviewer below. Episode 3 is screwed up. The Episode 3 part was indeed on the end of the album. But the 'That's not funny, I'm not laughing' part was at the end of side 1 (after Sleep). Why it was taken off it's rightful place and put after the 'This concludes episode 3', the true end of the album is beyond me.

But, how can I complain. This was probably THE greatest rock album not available on CD, and now it is, and it sounds great!

Average customer rating:

Vintage Toby
love the music, cd quality is average
Review of Boomtown
Great CD
BOOMTOWN STREET

Boomtown
Toby Keith
Manufacturer: Umvd Special Markets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001E6R
Release Date: 1994-09-27

Tracks:

Who's That Man
Big Ol' Truck
Victoria's Secret
No Honor Among Thieves
Upstairs Downtown
You Ain't Much Fun
In Other Words
Woman Behind The Man
Life Was A Play (The World A Stage)
Boomtown

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Toby.......2007-05-29

I call this vintage Toby because it is Toby before he adopted the American Country symbol that he is today. With several slow songs and the faster songs being pretty tame, it's very different than the current Toby. With "Boomtown" being the only song that remotely celebrates a time in America, a new listener would hardly believe this tamer Toby.
Still, a good listen for a true Toby fan.

love the music, cd quality is average.......2007-03-17

Well, I loved this CD! The only problem is that I think the CD is cheaply made because it does not play well in my car...an issue that I have with no other of my music collection

Review of Boomtown.......2005-07-25

This is a good CD. It doesn't have some of the favorite songs of Toby Keith, but he is a good singer, and his style comes through here too.

Great CD.......2002-12-22

Although I agree with other reviews, that "Who's that man", "You ain't much fun" and "Big ol Truck" are great songs on this CD, the best is "Upstairs Downtown." What a great overall CD from Toby.

BOOMTOWN STREET.......2001-08-18

I like Toby Keith's CD Boomtown and I like that song Boomtown.

BOOMTOWN STREET is a funny street.

Tracks:

She's So Modern
Mary of the 4th Form
Rat Trap
Looking After No. 1
When the Night Comes
Someone's Looking at You
Joey's on the Street Again
Banana Republic
Dave
I Don't Like Mondays
Like Clockwork
(I Never Loved) Eva Braun
Neon Heart
Never in a Million Years
Diamond Smiles
Drag Me Down
I Can Make It (If You Can)
Elephants Graveyard
Fall Down

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2007-01-20

One of my favorite Rat songs is Banana Republic, so I was very disappointed when I found it it was an edited version. To me, this is a sin, just drop another song and make them all album versions.

A nice overview.......2005-06-17

This is a nice overview of the music of a band every bit as important as The Clash that has been unfairly ignored. This CD was compiled from votes from an online poll that fans of The Boomtown Rats should have had no problem finding. All that was necessary was to search on Google. Now, we need one more thing. How about a re-release of all of the Rats albums? It's far too long overdue.

Someday my box will come.......2005-01-31

Eventually the complete box set will come out, but until then we can only be glad that better collections are being made along the way.

I agree with the previous reviewer in considering the Rats to be as important as the Clash or Pistols during a few year period of time (actually not much shorter a period than it took either of those groups to implode as well). The only contemporary more important for me was Elvis Costello.

Fortunately, I grew up in Chicago where they actually got some airplay that wasn't focused on "I don't like Mondays" unlike most of the country. The first song that I heard by them was "Lookin' after number one" on WXRT when I was eleven years old before it was actually released in the US(about the same time I first heard "watching the detectives") and from there the whole world of punk/whatever wave blasted off...

The combination of blue collar/political themes and intelligent, poppy, eclectic and talented delivery was too much to deny...I remember reading a review of Tonic for the Troops in Rolling Stone that accused them of "showing off." Seemed like a pretty good compliment to me!

This collection is an improvement over earlier ones, but contains too little from too many of the good albums. In fact, it would be difficult not to include almost everything from the first four albums and most of the fifth...not to mention some of the things that were only released as B-sides (Barefootin' and Doin' the Rat are classics known to too few people).

From the first album I most want to hear "Never bite the hand that feeds" and "close as you'll ever be." These are great songs. This one I don't even have on vinyl anymore:-(

From Tonic for the Troops, I have to wonder how the decision was made to eliminate "Don't believe what you read" "Me & Howard Hughes" and "Blind Date." Each of these is just as important as "She's so Modern."

From The Fine art of Surfacing I wish I could have "Nice & Neat," but really can't imagine leaving a single second off of this one (not even the quirky bits that close the album at the end of the tracks). This is by far their greatest work and I have three copies of it on vinyl that I have worn out to attest to that (Sadly I have yet to find a copy of CD). I am very pleased to hear "When the Night comes" made the collection as this is one I would not expect to find and it is a great one...as good as any Springsteen-esque song can be.

"Up All Night" is missing from Mondo Bongo, an album which, although suffering from the shift from guitar to keyboards and contributing to the ultimate loss of Gerry Cott (and general downfall of the band)was still a VERY GOOD album. Some other great songs from this album are "Please Don't Go" and the political take on the Stones' cover "Under Their thumb."

V Deep is where the song "Never in a Million Years" comes from and was later released on Ratrospective (contrary to what the earlier reviewer claims...believe me, I was obsessed and 15 years old and bought them as soon as they were available. V deep came out in 1982 and Ratrospective came out in 1983). Unfortunately, nothing else is included form V Deep as this is a great album (different as it may be from those that preceded it)...much better than In the Long Grass at least and songs such as "He watches it all" "Skin on Skin" and "A Storm Breaks" are more inspiring than any on the final album.

Ultimately, this collection improves upon the greatest hits that have come before, but I will stick with my vinyl until the real deal comes around.

...If only I had known that the CD re-releases would go out of print!

Misses some........2005-01-28

This is not meant to be an overview of the band, but a list of deficiencies in this "greatest hits" collection. One: it is missing some very vital "hits" as well as seminal album tracks. I thought this would redress the glaring omissions on "Great Songs of indifference", but it only compounded them! Missing on both is the song that got me into the Boomtowns in the first place: "Up All Night". Also missing from this new collection is "House on Fire". ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE SONGS and one of their best! It says in the liner notes that this CD was compiled by an online poll. Well, they sure as heck never asked me or my friends. Also missing are great album tracks like "Skin on Skin", "Whitehall 1212", "Little Piece of Red", "The Little Death", "Mood Mombo" and "Charmed Lives". Come on, man. You call THIS a "Greatest Hits"? "Greatest Misses" is more like it.

Rat-tastic!.......2004-05-20

At last, a full fledged volume of nothing but Boomtown Rats! Clocking in at 78 minutes, not a pit of disc space left unused. It makes up for inadequacies of "Loudmouth" and "Great Songs Of Indifference" by removing Bob Geldof's solo material and reaching for a few obscure singles. Material from "In The Long Grass" ("Dave" and "Drag me Down") makes its first appearance ever on CD.

When Bob Geldof began the band, they were a brash bunch of surly deviants who were snarling punk anthems like "Looking Out for Number One." Within a single album they had jumped to classics. Songs like "Mary Of The Fourth Form," "Joey's On The Street Again," "Rat Trap" and the satirical "I Never Loved Eva Braun" from the glorious "Tonic For The Troops" turned the punk rock tag squarely on its backside, these were songs too smart to be mere anthems of nihilism. Johnny Fingers played the piano with more flair than many of the prog-rock slugs The rats were so cheerfully slagging, and Geldof's lyrics were both working class ("Rat Trap") and smart.

The follow-up, "The Fine Art Of Surfacing," also showed a band that was not about to sit on their laurels. By making the first single from that album the piano and orchestra masterpiece "I Don't Like Mondays," they threw everyone's expectations out the window. The rest of the album was equally stunning, with Geldolf coming on like a young Mick Jagger on "Diamond Smiles" and coming up with a Spanish flavor for "When The Night Comes." Much like "Joey's On The Street," "When The Night Comes" contained a near Springsteen lyric of escape and triumph ended that album on a high.

Something soured in the Rats' world by the time of "Mondo Bongo," if "Banana Republic" was any indication. A scathing indictment of Catholicism and Police brutality set to a reggae beat, it was that album's highlight. Almost as scorching was "The Elephant's Graveyard" which looked at the disintegration of Florida as a retirement paradise ("It's Disneyland under martial law"). Sad to say "Up All Night" is not included here.

From there, the albums got spotty. CBS even held off on releasing the next album, the synth heavy "V-Deep" in the U.S. Instead, a club oriented "Ratro-spective" disc was released with the stunning ballad "Never In A Million Years." ("House On Fire" would have been nice here, though.) It took Geldof's starring role in "Pink Floyd's The Wall" movie to force that title on the shelves.

But it was Geldof's sudden shift into activism that brought him into the real spotlight when he turned his attention to world hunger. Oddly enough, "Do You Know It's Christmas" went farther in America than any Rats record. By the time Live Aid happened and the Rats played one more stunning performance, they were pretty much burned out. The usual stupidity with record companies (CBS forced the song "Dave" to be recut for the US as "Rain," because the song might appear to be "too gay.") finally splintered the band after "In The Long Grass" came out. Fortunately the original recording of "Dave" is here. A fantastic last hurrah, it details Geldof's plea to a suicidal friend and sums up the Rats best work in a few lines.

"I see you bleed, I know you feel the squeeze.
But please, believe,
the view from on your knees
deceives.
Keep going, Dave."

Tracks:

Like Clockwork
Blind Date
(I Never Loved) Eva Braun
Living in an Island
Don't Believe What You Read
She's So Modern
Me and Howard Hughes
Can't Stop
(Watch Out For) The Normal People
Rat Trap
Neon Heart [John Peel Radio Session][*]
Do the Rat [*]
D.U.N. L.A.O.G.H.A.I.R.E. [*]
Rat Trap [Live in Stoke][*]

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1978 and 2nd album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 4 bonus tracks 'Neon Heart' (John Peel Session), 'Do The Rat' (B-side), 'Dunloaghaire' (B-side) & 'Rat Trap' (live in Stoke). Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

It's a rat trap...and we've been Caught!.......2007-01-20

This was the best Boomtown Rats album, and easily one of the best of the nascent British new-wave invasion that was crashing these shores with the likes of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and The Jam. More on their side of the album than the likes of The Clash or The Sex Pistols, The Boomtown Rats were already masters of brilliant power-pop singles with snappingly smart lyrics. "A Tonic For The Troops" delivered these strengths with relish, be it in the brilliant "Rat Trap" or the rave-up "She's So Modern."

Bob Geldolf was never a punk. He had more in common with a Mick Jagger than a Mick Jones. (Listen to the live version of "Rat Trap" in the bonus cuts, then tell me there's no Rolling Stones influence.) The band's musical skills and jumped a light-year from the snotty exuberenece of the debut, with Johnny Fingers' keyboards being strong enough to put some prog-rockers to shame.

I have to admit that my affinity for the American version of "Tonic" makes me wonder why the re-recorded version of "Mary Of The Fourth Form" wasn't included as a bonus track (and I bought the re-mastered debut to make sure I got that song and "Joey's On The Street Again"). Frankly, I could have lived without "Dun Laoghaire," even as a bonus cut. And the lackluster "Can't Stop" shows me why it got bumped from the US release. On the plus side, "Neon Heart" and "Do The Rat" are fun additions. The re-master is also a big plus.

Get some "Tonic." Even with all the Geldolf did in the Band Aid world to come, The Boomtown Rats were a perennially underrated band.

Gotta Love the Rats!.......2005-10-09

It's great to hear the Rat's unique, late 70s sound digitally remastered. Worth the hefty price!

The Best Boomtown Rats Album & one of the best Albums of 1978.......2005-09-10

One of my Top 10 favorite albums of all time. Boomtown Rats best album shows a maturity in song-writing and musicianship that separated them from so many others from the 78' pack. Bob Geldof really shows a knack for combining witty social commentary with ultra snappy pop/punk musical stylings. I love the song 'Living in an Island' for its humorous take on suicidal depression. Their best singles are right here on this album (Like Clockwork/She's So Modern & Rat Trap) all here. 1978 seems to be the year when songwriting started pulling some bands away from the label of punk and maybe further towards New Wave. People/Bands like Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, The Clash, the Stranglers & even The Jam. Absolutely no filler on this album. My favorite tracks would be 'She's So Modern', 'Blind Date' & 'Living in An Island' not to say that the single's 'Rat Trap' & 'Like Clockwork' aren't brilliant but I had those drilled into my head for a couple of years back in school & you know what they say about having too much of a good thing. So this is my favorite Album from 1978 & I think anyone out there who appreciates the music from the punk era 77-79 has to have this album along with all the other classics that seemed to come out around that time.
Oh, PS: This review is of the older CD which had (2) Extra tracks 'So Strange' & 'Lying Again'

Why leave stuff out?.......2005-03-20

Made in EU in 2005, Serial# 982-677-4, Playing Time 50:13

Most of lyrics enclosed...

If you're like me, you've been waiting to "retire" your vinyl pressing of this as soon as a CD version was made available.

Like all 6 re-releases of their albums, the remastering job is excellent! If you're reading this, you probably don't need a description of the genre of music (and talent) included.

Instead, I'll focus this somewhat brief review on the differences in content between the North American vinyl pressing and this CD issue:

a) "Rat Trap" has been extended from a 4:58 track to a 5:14 version.
b) tracks 11 to 14 have been added!
c) 2 of the 3 bonus tracks that were added to the 1992 CD release (namely "Lying Again" and "So Strange") have NOT re-appeared on ANY of these remastered re-issues; the 3rd one ("How Do You Do?") can now be found on the "The Fine Art Of Surfacing" re-issue.

So don't discard you 1992 CD edition just yet!

Average customer rating:

Even more eccentric than the original!
Not the same album. Revisionist however you look at it.
One of their more peculiar albums, weird new track order...
Hardly recognizable...
Finally!

Mondo Bongo
The Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Specials

ASIN: B00076SJPK
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Straight Up
The Elephant's Graveyard
This Is My Room
Another Piece Of Red
Hurt Hurts
Please Don't Go
Fall Down
Go Man Go!
Under Their Thumb
Banana Republic
Whitehall 1212
Mood Mambo
Cheerio
Don't Talk To Me (B-Side)
Arnold Layne (Recorded For TV)
Another Piece Of Red (Live In Portsmouth)

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1981 and 4th album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 3 bonus tracks 'Don't Talk To Me' (B-side), 'Arnold Layne' (Recorded for TV),& 'Another Piece Of Red' (live in Portsmouth). Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

Even more eccentric than the original!.......2007-01-21

I've always thought that "Mondo Bongo" was where Bob Geldolf and The Boomtown Rats started to slip, but the years have been kind to The Rats' fourth album. They were trying to grow out of the scene that originally spawned them, and I also began to wonder if their inability to crack the American market (after becoming superstars everywhere else) was wearing on them. It would explain the thoroughly sour tone of many of the album's best songs.

Both The Rats' native island and their commercial nemesis took it on the chin on "Mondo Bongo," with the "septic isle" of "Banana Republic" drawing the popular vote - the mix of reggae and Geldolf's angry lyrics was another huge melding of styles for the band and a number one single. As for America, the broadside of "it's Disneyland under martial law" in "Elephant's Graveyard" took a dour look at Florida's disintegration as a retirement paradise.

This is also where the eccentricities began to get into the way of the songs. "Please Don't Go" and the re-writing of "Under My Thumb" weren't really all that great to start with and haven't improved. "Fall Down" is almost Pink Floyd in temperament (and odd that a cover of Floyd's "Arnold Layne" is included). Scat singing on "Please Don't Go?" Yikes. There's something else I miss from all these CD's (since it was on the American LP) is The Rats' re-recording of "Up All Night." (Not the version on "V Deep" - the version I speak of is only available on an out-of-print American best of or Rhino Records "Just Can't Get Enough Volume 4.") But unlike others here, I don't have too much issue with the revised running order. "Mondo Bongo" was such an eclectic album that Geldolf's reorganizing the song sequence doesn't seem to really mangle the album's original mood.

Like on my review of "The Fine Art Of Surfacing," my main gripe about the new version of "Mondo Bongo" is the re-mastering seems to be too "hot." The drums on several of the songs compress out and distort to the point that, like on "Please Don't Go," the song clips off. Not a good thing.

Not the same album. Revisionist however you look at it........2005-04-02

I've waited a long time for Mondo Bongo to be re-released on CD only to find this is far less enjoyable a listen than my vinyl copy.

This new running order simply doesn't flow well, no matter what explanation Bob Geldof gives in the new liner notes. There's just no need to tamper this much with an album. In addition, upon closer inspection fans of the original album will note the 10 second long dramatic pause is now missing in the final song proper, Cheerio. It simply goes from the ultimatum "well you'd better hurry up and say something or else I'm gonna go..." straight into the response "okay that's fine by me, cheerio". Amazing how the omission of a mere 10 seconds of silence can turn a once clever gem into a pointless ditty. (Oh well, at least they included the "cheerio" lyrics as opposed to the 1981 CD release which leaves those words out altogether, chopping the song before it can really end!)

The Boomtown Rats released a great album in the early-80s which they deserve to be remembered for. However, this new drastically altered remaster isn't that album. I'm no vinyl purist, but looks like you're going to have to hunt down the vinyl (and possibly a turntable) if you want to hear what really went down when this album came out...in a time when New Wave bands thought ska, reggae, and BONGOS were cool and put them right up front to kick off an album (hence the album title).

The only really great feature of this remastered version of Mondo Bongo is the lovingly-designed packaging complete with a full-color foldout mini poster. Too bad it's wasted on the crummy CD inside.

Possilbly the Boomtown Rats' 5-star album, but this release is another failure to get it right.

Cheerio.

One of their more peculiar albums, weird new track order..........2005-03-26

Like four of the other remasters, this album's track order deviates from both the US AND UK releases of the album. Why? Good question...but that's why I remove a star.

Anyway, I'm writing this review to note, for the less informed, to correct/make notes on the other reviews which are incorrect in their claims about original versions of the albums/sources of tracks:

"Fall Down" WAS on the original LP...just not the North American version. Remember, though, this was an Irish band stationed in Ireland, and thus the UK versions are more closely tied to the band's actual desired order than the US versions (which typically just pushed the best-selling singles to the beginning of the album)

"Up All Night" was not omitted. It was originally on V Deep and not Mondo Bongo, insofar as UK releases (the more "accurate" ones)

"Whitehall 1212" WAS originally released on Mondo Bongo, and NOT Rat Tracks.

Not intending to pick fights or criticize, mind you, I'm simply obsessive about the original placement of non-album tracks.

Hardly recognizable..........2005-03-20

Made in EU in 2005, Serial# 982-677-6, Playing Time 53:53

Most of lyrics enclosed...

If you're like me, you've been waiting to "retire" your vinyl pressing of this as soon as a CD version was made available.

Like all 6 re-releases of their albums, the remastering job is excellent! If you're reading this, you probably don't need a description of the genre of music (and talent) included.

Instead, I'll focus this somewhat brief review on the differences in content between the North American vinyl pressing and this CD issue:

a) the running order is completely different!
b) track 7 ("Fall Down") wasn't on LP (but was released on the "Rat Tracks" EP)
c) "Up All Night" has been omitted but will re-surface on the "V Deep" CD re-issue!
d) track 11 ("Whitehall 1212") was originally released on the "Rat Tracks" EP)
e) track 15 ("Arnold Layne") is a "real" bonus track and is indeed a PINK FLOYD original
f) track 16 is the live version of the album track, recorded in Portsmouth

The re-sequencing of the tracks makes this re-issue more eclectic than it originally was.

Finally!.......2005-03-11

I've beeen waiting over twenty years to get this album on CD. Not quite as good as The Fine Art of Surfacing, but definitely the second best Rats album in my opinion, though I know many fans disagree. The one disappointment is the re-arranging of the tracks for the CD. It just didn't sound right not having Mood Mambo start the album, but I'm already getting used to the new order.

Great Songs Of Indifference : The Best Of Bob Geldof & The Boomtown Rats

Average customer rating:

Brings me back to when . . .
Indifferently Inadequate Selection of a Great Band
BOB GELDOF ( A MAN OF INDIFFERENCE )
Geldof and Boomtown recollections...
bad song selection

Great Songs Of Indifference : The Best Of Bob Geldof & The Boomtown Rats
Bob Geldof & the Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002AEY
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

I Don't Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats
This Is The World Calling - Bob Geldof
Rat Trap - The Boomtown Rats
The Great Song Of Indifference - Bob Geldof
Love Or Something - Bob Geldof
Banana Republic - The Boomtown Rats
The Elephants Graveyard - The Boomtown Rats
Someone's Looking At You - The Boomtown Rats
She's So Modern - The Boomtown Rats
House On Fire - The Boomtown Rats
The Beat Of The Night - Bob Geldof
Diamond Smiles - The Boomtown Rats
Like Clockwork - The Boomtown Rats
Room 19 (Sha La La La Lee) - Bob Geldof
Mary Of The 4th Form - The Boomtown Rats
Looking After Number One - The Boomtown Rats

Customer Reviews:

Brings me back to when . . ........2005-09-02

Worth the money. How refreshing to hear the Rats on disc-- timeless beats and themes.

Indifferently Inadequate Selection of a Great Band.......2003-10-16

The Boomtown Rats and Bob Geldof went from peppy youthful exuberance to downtrodden world on their shoulders rock stars in a fairly short amount of time. This collection chronicles that voyage, including Sir Bob's three solo albums prior to this disc. Frankly, his work post Rats isn't all that astounding, it seemed he needed them more than he cared to admit. Any of his solo tracks could have been replaced by The Rats' "Dave," "Never In A Million Years," "Joey's On The Street Again" or "Up All Night." But I guess since a 1987 ten track "Greatest Hits" (long gone out of print) had most of those, I figure CBS thought they needed to lure in those of us that still had that CD into making a fresh purchase of old material.

Either way, if you have no other Boomtown Rats discs, this is a good primer. It has the controversial ballad "I Don't Like Mondays," the Springsteenish "Rat Trap," the Irish Reggae of "Banana Republic" and two hall of fame rockers with "Mary Of The Fourth Form" and "She's So Modern." Maybe we'll get all the original discs reissued someday (included a properly mastered "Mondo Bongo"!) with some of the great B-sides. Till then, this will do.

BOB GELDOF ( A MAN OF INDIFFERENCE ).......2002-10-19

AFTER A SPAN OF TWENTY ONE YEARS. I LIVED THE MEMORIES AGAIN.
BOB WAS FABULOUS AT THE PARK WEST SHOW HERE IN CHICAGO.09/24/02 AND I HAD AN ENJOYABLE MEETING TOGETHER WITH BOB AFTERWARDS.THIS CD COLLECTION (SONGS OF INDIFFERNCE)IS A MAGNIFICENT CD FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH MR.GELDOF. OR IS A GREAT ENJOYMENT FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE BOBS MANY TALENTS. HE HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS INSPIRATION GLOBALLY. NOT JUST AS A MUSICIAN,BUT AS A COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEING WHO CARES FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHER HUMAN LIFE. BOB GELDOF (SONGS OF INDIFFERENCE)
A 16 TRACK CD COLLECTION OF GREAT MUSIC BY THE MASTER HIMSELF.*****

Geldof and Boomtown recollections..........2002-06-16

First exposed to Bob Geldof in Pink Floyd the Wall, I hunted a record store for something he'd attributed his many facets of talent. Immediately the record store clerk (yes, in the 80's it WAS a record store!) showed me the collections of Boomtown Rats. I wandered off with the Fine Art of Surfacing.

Days later, I returned for more of the cassettes. I made it a point to have their entire collection. At the time, it was exactly what I needed, something very different from the mainstream fodder that cluttered the airways. "I Don't Like Mondays" had minimal play at any station (I've never seen the video to this day) and no one was willing to listen to the great difference these lads from Ireland were creating.

I feel their music was highly underrated. When Bob Geldof went off on his own, a friend ended up with Deep In The Heart Of Nowhere before I laid my hands on it. I went through 3 copies of the cassette. Only last year (2001) had I acquired the CD from a gentleman in Ireland selling it on EBay!

The collection on Great Song Of Indifference are a good taste of what the Boomtown Rats were about, plus a strong helping of Bob Geldof on his own. I have strong admiration for Bob Geldof after reading his autobiography Is That It, which features his strong sense of word and flow. If you're looking for a different sound that only these people could make from the 80's, this is for you.

bad song selection.......2002-04-30

How can any best of collection not include Joey's on the Street Again? ALSO, combining Boomtown Rats with Bob Geldof's solo material is incongruous. If you want a sample and have no other options, buy this. Otherwise, keep searching...

Average customer rating:

Down down to the deep they go
The Bitter End
This CD Is A Classic
Worst Rats album by a landslide
up all night?

V Deep
The Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great Songs Of Indifference : The Best Of Bob Geldof & The Boomtown Rats
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ASIN: B00076SJQ4
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

He Watches It All
Never In A Million Years
Talking In Code
The Bitter End
The Little Death
A Storm Breaks
Up All Night
House On Fire
Charmed Lives
Skin On Skin
Say Hi To Mick
No Hiding Place - B Side
House On Fire - 12' Dub Version
Up All Night - Long Version

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1982 and 5th album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 3 bonus tracks 'No Hiding Place' (B-side), 'House On Fire' (12inch dub version) & 'Up All Night' (long version). Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

Down down to the deep they go.......2007-01-23

If "Mondo Bongo" was darker than the three previous albums by the Boomtown Rats, then what are we to make of "V Deep?" Unremittingly gloomy and dark, this album was so far off what most fans expected from the Rats that their American record company at first opted to not release it. It wasn't until Geldolf's starring turn in "Pink Floyd's The Wall" movie that "V Deep" hit American shelves, and then with a heavily revised track order.

It is easy to see why Columbia balked. There isn't anything even remotley close to the agitated new-wave raves of "Rat Trap" or the in-your-face confrontational power of "I Don't Like Mondays." The album even has Geldolf indulging in Cabaret influenced jazz singing on the Heroin Addict's lament "A Little Death." "House On Fire" and "Skin On Skin" are dub-mad dance records. The version of "Up All Night" on this CD was re-recorded in a more poppy arrangement for the American version of "Mondo Bongo." The tone of "V Deep" is consistently pessimistic, hardly the Rat Party of "A Tonic For The Troops" or "The Fine Art Of Surfacing."

Overall, this was The Rats trying their darndest to break with expectations but not really succeeding. Only the bitter-sweet "Never In A Million Years" (which Tony Visconti Bowie-fied the heck out of) makes the connection to Rats of old, both as a challenge and a great pop song. The brutal "Skin On Skin" is a close second, with its sexually charged lyrics, followed by "He Watches It All." The weirdest moment? "Talking In Code," which sounds like ersatz Depeche Mode.

Probably the lesser of the Boomtown Rat's six albums, "V Deep" is still an interesting document of The Rats' (and Geldolf's) musical evolution. They followed this with the vastly superior "In The Long Grass" swan song before finally calling it a day, but it was obvious that - on "V Deep" - the band was losing steam and becoming disillusioned to the point of their music suffering for it.

The Bitter End.......2006-08-16

In it defense it was slightly ahead of it's time. Produced by Tony Visconti & Godley & Creme who would not much later employ the same production values with New Romantics such as Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Ultravox and make it work, V Deep is one of those albums that has grown better with age. As a departure for The Rats I thought and still do that this album has stood the test of time in similar ways The Stranglers La Folie and Billy Idols Whiplash Smile branched them out and beyond the flag of convenience of the UK New Wave / Punk thing. For some it worked, Idol, The Police, Depeche Mode ( listen to the Vince Clarke inspired " Talking in Code " ) for mostly the others it did not. This is a good collection and The Bitter End, Little Death, Charmed Lives are truly the last good songs Gob penned before he embarked on annoying the hell out of the rest of us but mostly himself.

This CD Is A Classic.......2005-06-14

You may be disappointed if you are looking for the hard rock of their early albums, but anyone with an open mind will treasure this album. Great songwriting from beginning to end. "He Watches It All", "A Storm Breaks", and all the great singles make this a must have. The only weak link is "Talking In Code", which is easily skipped.

Worst Rats album by a landslide.......2005-04-23

I can not recommend this CD in any way, shape, or form. The Rats started to lose steam with "Mondo Bongo", but "V Deep" saw the Rat machine come to a grinding halt. Good God what an awful record! Gerry Cott saw the ship sinking and jumped off just in time. The horns killed the Rats!!!!!!
The one star is for the one good song on this CD "Never in a million years".

up all night?.......2005-04-03

The version of UP ALL NIGHT on this cd differs drastically than the version on my Mondo Bongo Vinyl lp. That was the version I grew up loving, and was quite disapointed with this version; not a BAD rats record however......

Average customer rating:

Glad I added it to my collection
Who's idea was this?
First Classic Album of Great Rats

The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00076SJNM
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Lookin' After No.1
Mary Of The 4th Form
Close As You'll Ever Be
Neon Heart
Joey's On The Streets Again
I Can Make It If You Can
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds
(She's Gonna) Do You In
Kicks
Doin' It Right (1975 Live Demo)
My Blues Away (1975 Live Demo)
A Second Time (1975 Live Demo)
Fanzine Hero (1975 Live Demo)
Barefootin' (Live In Moran's Hotel Dublin 1975)
Mary Of The 4th Form (Single Version)

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1977 debut album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 6 bonus tracks 'Doin' It Right' (1975 demo), 'My Blues Away' (1975 demo), 'Second Time' (1975 demo), 'Fanzine Hero' (1975 demo), 'Bare Footin' (live in Moran's Hotel 1975) & 'Mary Of The 4th Form' (single version). Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

Glad I added it to my collection.......2005-04-01

A fan of the Boomtown Rats for over 25 years, I've been anticipating the release of their remastered debut title since it was announced months ago. The price tag was a bit high, but I took the chance, placed the order and was not disappointed.

The sound quality is unbelievably good. In fact, I don't believe that any of the previous releases of Rats material (at least in the US) sound this good. It is both dynamic and clear.

The bonus tracks were a real plus for me as well. There is a great version of Barefootin and a couple of others. The single version of Mary of the Fourth Form was tacked on at the end - the sequence is kind of awkward since the previous track is a live encore performance that fades out and seemingly brings a great close to the set. (A minor complaint, but the only one I could find.)

Again, the remastering alone is worth the investment for any true fan of the Rats. Now I have to decide which other remastered release I will order next.

Who's idea was this?.......2005-03-20

Made in EU in 2005, Serial# 982-677-3, Playing Time 56:29

Most of lyrics enclosed...

If you're like me, you've been waiting to "retire" your vinyl pressing of this as soon as a CD version was made available.

Like all 6 re-releases of their albums, the remastering job is excellent! If you're reading this, you probably don't need a description of the genre of music (and talent) included.

Instead, I'll focus this somewhat brief review on the differences in content between the North American vinyl pressing and this CD issue:

a) "Joey's On The Streets Again" has been edited from a 5:52 track to a 5:30 version.
b) the running order has been drastically changed!
c) there are 4 tracks that remained in demo-only format (tracks 10 to 13)
d) track 14 (Barefootin', composed by Robert Parker) was recorded live in Dublin, and is significantly different than the live version originally released on the "Lookin' After No. 1" single
e) track 15 (Mary of the 4th form) is actually LONGER in this single version that the album version.

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other re-releases, no track has been omitted.

First Classic Album of Great Rats.......2005-02-19

Great Work for a honest group forever... Simple As That!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Boomtown's final bow
Their Most Powerful Work
Best for Last?
Good album, another strange track order...
More difficult than it appears...

In the Long Grass
The Boomtown Rats
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00076SJQY
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Dave
Over And Over
Drag Me Down
A Hold Of Me
Another Sad Story
Tonight
Hard Times
Lucky
An Icicle In The Sun
Up Or Down
Dave (Single Version)
Walking Downtown (B-Side)
Precious Time (B-Side)
She's Not The Best (Home Demo)

Album Description

2005 remastered reissue of 1985 and 6th album from The Boomtown Rats featuring frontman Bob Geldof. Contains 4 bonus tracks 'Dave' (single version), 'Walking Down Town', 'Precious Time' & 'She's Not The Best'. Mercury.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered by Jon Astley and Comes with a Stack of Rare Or Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks, Demos, B-sides and Live Cuts, all Overseen by Bob Geldof and Boomtown Bassist, Pete Briquette.

Customer Reviews:

Boomtown's final bow.......2007-01-22

The Rat's had had it. From their wild and wooly days as young bucks to this final statement, they'd weathered the highs and lows of rock stardom, including the triumph of Live Aid. And yet the record company hacks couldn't quit meddling. As "In The Long Grass" was being prepared for an American release, Columbia got nervous that the amazing "Dave" would appear "too gay" for general consumption and forced the band to re-cut it as "Rain." And the horns on "Drag Me Down?" Had to go...

So with one last indignity suffered, The Boomtown Rats issued "In The Long Grass"...to once again a totally indifferent USA. Yet, this is easily the most mature and consistent album Geldolf and the boys ever did. The urge to do mad style jumping is absent, the songs extend a pessimistic and cynical view (considering Geldolf's African/Live Aid experience, understandably so), and the songs hold a tightly hewed vision minus the theatrics. Geldolf had stared real horror in the eye during his trips to Ethiopia, and suddenly writing a sequel to "I Never Loved Eva Bruan" probably felt juvenile.

The band plays their tails off on "In The Long Grass." Johnnie Fingers had ditched the PJ's and gone through a divorce, and both "Another Sad Story" and "Lucky" bite deep. Geldolf's "Drag Me Down" and "Tonight" are among the best work he's ever done. Lest you think things are all dour and darkness, there's the absolutely funky "An Icicle In The Sun." And in my mind, "Dave" remains a classic just waiting its turn at rediscovery. Geldolf's exhortation to a suicidal friend to keep holding on is bloody brilliant:

Dave, I see you bleed,
I know you feel the squeeze.
But please, believe,
the view from on your knees deceives.
Keep going, Dave.

Geldolf and The Rats parted ways after "In The Long Grass," and he embarked on a solo career that grew more pedantic and preachy as it continued. He needed his mates more than he realized, but nonetheless, "In The Long Grass" (which is slang for keeping a low profile) gave the Boomtown Rats a powerful note to leave the stage with.

Their Most Powerful Work.......2006-02-28

Yes the track order of these re-issues is idiotic and is as though they found the worst running order possible to irritate fans. They knew customers would then give it 3 stars and the CD would be destined to continue to sell terribly. That said there is a program function on every CD player. It takes a full minute to program the old track order. I can easily see why the Rats are pessimistic. They do receive the worst luck possible. They were unfairly ripped on by the British Press and even now little things like getting three star ratings from those that consider this a classic 5 star CD because the tracks aren't in their original order and nothing else continue to plague them. This is a classic CD that should start out with the inspirational positive anthem that is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded, "A Hold Of Me", a perfect lead off track. Follow this with "Draggin Me Down", which continues with unbridled passion leading into the single, "Dave", another classic that is truly heart wrenching. The next two songs have grown on me, but are the only ones I would consider filler. Side two is perfect from beginning to end. A true masterpiece that will be completely ignored except by a few, who like me, will treasure this masterpiece.

Best for Last?.......2005-06-18

The Boomtown Rats have given music lovers in the US yet another opportunity to ignore them. Didn't help that the first time around, late 70s and early 80s, the band's relations with US radio got off to a lovely start when Geldof set out on a promotional tour and seemed bent on alienating every radio programming director he met.

When this last Rats album was released, the US label initially refused it (until "Dave" was butchered into "Rain"). "In the Long Grass" was almost universally panned as an overly dark and pessimistic work. Not that there are examples of light, happy songs on earlier efforts. This album sizzles with cynicism, and the CD bumps the cynical edge into the next realm by including the brilliant B-sides "Walking Downtown" (which features one of my all-time favorite lines: "sometimes I feel like the first person to step foot in America who turned around and thought `what the f* is this?'") and "Precious Time."

Good album, another strange track order..........2005-03-26

Like four of the other remasters, this album's track order deviates from both the US AND UK releases of the album. Why? Good question...but that's why I remove a star.

Anyway, I'm writing this review to note, for the less informed, to correct/make notes on the other reviews which are incorrect in their claims about original versions of the albums/sources of tracks:

The song "Rain" was a pointless re-write of the song "Dave"...and while I am a completist of sorts and have my copy of it, it was only made to satisfy US censors who didn't like the fact that the original song was a reference to heroin ("Dave" being slang for just that). "Rain" was re-recorded so that the album would ever be released here.

"Drag Me Down" was NOT re-recorded for this album. This is the ORIGINAL version that appeared on the ORIGINAL UK album.

Not intending to pick fights or criticize, mind you, I'm simply obsessive about the original placement of non-album tracks.

More difficult than it appears..........2005-03-20

Made in EU in 2005, Serial# 982-677-7, Playing Time 58:52

ALL of the lyrics enclosed...

If you're like me, you've been waiting to "retire" your vinyl pressing of this as soon as a CD version was made available.

Like all 6 re-releases of their albums, the remastering job is excellent! If you're reading this, you probably don't need a description of the genre of music (and talent) included.

Instead, I'll focus this somewhat brief review on the differences in content between the North American vinyl pressing and this CD issue:

a) there was already a difference between the UK and US versions of this album ("Dave" from the UK pressing was re-recorded with new lyrics as well for the US release, and renamed "Rain")
b) track 11 ("Dave (Single Version)") was originally released on the single of the same name
c) track 12 ("Walking Downtown") was originally released on the "Tonight" single
d) track 13 ("Precious Time") was also originally released on the "Tonight" single
e) track 14 ("She's Not The Best") is a home demo that, quite frankly, could have stayed at home... but on the bright side, the only track I hadn't heard before

Because of its lack of "true" extra stuff, the least worthwhile purchase (then again, you can finally hear this music without all the surface noise of your vinyl!)

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review