A Tonic for the Troops [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Product 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.

A Tonic for the Troops,The Boomtown Rats,Fontana Int'l,British Punk,Ireland,New Wave,Pop,Punk,Rock,Rock/Pop

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A Tonic for the Troops [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Average customer rating: It's a rat trap...and we've been Caught! Gotta Love the Rats! The Best Boomtown Rats Album & one of the best Albums of 1978 Why leave stuff out?

A Tonic for the Troops 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Boomtown Rats - Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1978 Best Of Great Songs of Indifference: The Anthology 1986-2001 Sex Age & Death This Year's Model (With Bonus Disc) ASIN: B00076SJP0 Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

1. Like Clockwork
2. Blind Date
3. (I Never Loved) Eva Braun
4. Living in an Island
5. Don't Believe What You Read
6. She's So Modern
7. Me and Howard Hughes
8. Can't Stop
9. (Watch Out For) The Normal People
10. Rat Trap
11. Neon Heart [John Peel Radio Session][*]
12. Do the Rat [*]
13. D.U.N. L.A.O.G.H.A.I.R.E. [*]
14. 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:

A Tonic For The Troops Manufacturer: columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000B8FUFQ

Product Description

selectiona: 1. rat trap 2. me and howard hughs 3. eva braun 4. living in an island 5. like clockwork 6. blind date 7. mary of the 4th form 8. don't believe what you read 9. she's so modern 10. joey's on the street again.

Average customer rating: A Hybrid US/UK Version would be a 5 star CD. WITTY & MELODIC ROCK

Tonic for the Troops The Boomtown Rats Manufacturer: Sony 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000008DO8 Release Date: 1989-12-19

Tracks:

1. Rat Trap
2. Me and Howard Hughes
3. (I Never Loved) Eva Braun
4. Living on an Island
5. Like Clockwork
6. Blind Date
7. Mary of the 4th Form
8. Don't Believe What You Read
9. She's So Modern
10. Joey's on the Street Again

Customer Reviews:

A Hybrid US/UK Version would be a 5 star CD........2003-10-15

"A Tonic For the Troops" found the young Rats in sarcastic snide humor, willing to take on topics as timely as tabloids or as close to home as life on the dole in the classic "Rat Trap." I was lucky enough to have bought the US version of the CD, which included an improved re-recording of "Mary of the 4th Form" and "Joey's On the Street Again" and a different sequencing. Quite frankly, I could not live without the exuberance of "Like Clockwork," "She's So Modern," and "Rat Trap." Maybe one of these days, someone at CBS/Legacy will realize that "Great Songs Of Indifference" is inadequate and we'll get all the "Tonic" we deserve!

WITTY & MELODIC ROCK.......2003-06-08

Although they emerged in the punk era, the Boomtown Rats cannot simply be lumped together with the angry sounds of the Sex Pistols or early Clash. Some of the themes on this underrated album mirror the rebellion of punk, like Rat Trap or Don't Believe What You Read, but the clever lyrics and catchy tunes have more in common with the work of Elvis Costello or early Nick Lowe. Songs like Me And Howard Hughes, I Never Loved Eva Braun and Like Clockwork have melodic hooks and almost Stones-like vocals. Other tuneful and energetic rockers include Blind Date, Mary Of The 4th Form (a gorgeous teen romance) and the catchy She's So Modern, my favorite on the album. Joey's On The Street Again is an impressive rock epic with an almost Springsteenesque feel in its blasting sax, tempo changes and an impressive dramatic structure. On the strength of this album, it is inexplicable that the Boomtown Rats didn't go on to greater things. The talent and the enthusiasm certainly were there.

Average customer rating: Top Rats A Hybrid US/UK Version would rate 5 stars...

Tonic for the Troops The Boomtown Rats 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004V4E3 Release Date: 2003-11-25

Tracks:

1. Like Clockwork
2. Blind Date
3. (I Never Loved) Eva Braun
4. She's So Modern
5. Don't Believe What You Read
6. Living in an Island
7. Me and Howard Hughes
8. Can't Stop
9. (Watch Out for) the Normal People
10. Rat Trap
11. Lying Again
12. How Do You Do?
13. So Strange

Customer Reviews:

Top Rats.......2007-06-17

Theatrical, punk and well produced ala sparks '73. This is the release to get. Has all the extra b-sides misiing in later and earlier reissues.

A Hybrid US/UK Version would rate 5 stars..........2003-10-15

...but for now, (especially since CBS in the US has deleted all the Rats' proper CD's) this will do fine. "A Tonic For the Troops" found the young Rats in sarcastic snide humor, willing to take on topics as timely as tabloids or as close to home as life on the dole in the classic "Rat Trap."

So if you're willing to settle for 8 of the 10 songs that were on the US version of the CD (missing are the improved re-recording of "Mary of the 4th Form" and "Joey's On the Street Again"), this is wonderful. Quite frankly, I could not live without the exuberance of "Like Clockwork," "She's So Modern," and "Rat Trap." Maybe one of these days, someone at CBS/Legacy will realize that "Great Songs Of Indifference" is inadequate and we'll get all the "Tonic" we deserve!

Average customer rating: More Geldof Iconoclasm Tonic for the troops A Hybrid US/UK would rate 5 stars.... The original British version, not the U.S. version... The Definitive Boomtown Rats Album

Tonic for the Troops The Boomtown Rats Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000006THC Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

1. Like Clockwork
2. Blind Date
3. (I Never Loved) Eva Braun
4. She's So Modern
5. Don't Believe What You Read
6. Living In An Island
7. Me And Howard Hughes
8. Can't Stop
9. (Watch Out For) The Normal People
10. Rat Trap
11. Lying Again
12. How Do You Do?
13. So Strange

Customer Reviews:

More Geldof Iconoclasm.......2006-02-28

I guess this one always was played the least out of any CD I have by the Rats because I never could get into "Rat Trap" or "Joey's On The Street Again"(added to the American release with "Mary Of The Fourth Form"). Even songs with interesting songwriting that were hits like "She's So Modern" and "Like Clockwork" never did much for me. Of course the CD also has some of my favorite Rats songs of all time. "Me And Howard Hughes", "(I Never Loved)Eva Braun", and "Living On An Island" are some of the best written songs ever. The rest of the songs on the CD don't make much of an impression. I actually couldn't predict if I will like them or not before each listen. Very strange. I do agree in that the record company are total idiots that are downright mean. Yes why don't they release everything on the original album plus bonus tracks. Not difficult at all. Emulates Springsteen to the art school grads for another unique piece of work.

Tonic for the troops.......2004-10-13

Great album. Now I'm waiting for the first Boomtown Rats album on CD !!!!!!

A Hybrid US/UK would rate 5 stars...........2003-10-14

...but for now, (especially since CBS in the US has deleted all the Rats' proper CD's) this will do fine. "A Tonic For the Troops" found the young Rats in sarcastic snide humor, willing to take on topics as timely as tabloids or as close to home as life on the dole in the classic "Rat Trap."

So if you're willing to settle for 8 of the 10 songs that were on the US version of the CD (missing are the improved re-recording of "Mary of the 4th Form" and "Joey's On the Street Again"), this is wonderful. Quite frankly, I could not live without the exuberance of "Like Clockwork," "She's So Modern," and "Rat Trap." Maybe one of these days, someone at CBS/Legacy will realize that "Great Songs Of Indifference" is inadequate and we'll get all the "Tonic" we deserve!

The original British version, not the U.S. version..........2003-04-09

Missing (perhaps forever?) from this cd is the Rat's re-recording of Mary of the 4th Form (faster and better than the original) and, of course, the classic Joey's on the Street Again. Why the Record Company couldn't include these as bonus tracks seems unnecessarily inconsiderate and/or mindless.

Nevertheless, here is the Rat's most consistent, most fun, album in all (or nearly all...) of its glory. Favorite track: (I never loved) Eva Braun.

The Definitive Boomtown Rats Album.......2002-03-19

This is by far the best Boomtown Rats album. This is a cd you can put on and leave on. All of the songs are good; melodic, and clever, these guys were at their creative peak when they made this album. Particularly good are "Eva Braun," "Rat Trap," and "Mary of the Fourth Form." This band (and album) has that english "punky" sound of the mid to late 70's ( although the band is Irish)- not hardcore at all. If you're into "classic new wave/punk," this one's a keeper. This band (and album) can easily hold it's own against the likes of the Stranglers, the Damned, the Clash and others from that genre.

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