Couldn't Be Bothered?

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Couldn't Be Bothered?

suss · In the Long Grass

Have to confess that I consciously made what was almost an emotional break not long after the Rats' demise. Sounds pretentious but hopefully you know what I mean.

My loyalty was often tested as the Rats got more diverse and experimental, which I suspect was largely down to Bob, and I endured rather than enjoyed a number of tracks post Tonic, although there are true gems on every album thereafter.

I bought This is the World Calling (7" and 12") out of loyalty as much as it being a half decent track, and pretty much decided at that point enough's enough.

Always will have undying gratitude and admiration for Bob but have yet to hear one of his solo tracks that inspires the reaction (in me) his Rats work brought. I don't doubt I could persevere on his solo albums to the point where I appreciate them, but nothing I've heard in passing has really grabbed me the way, for example, She's So Modern did and made me think 'what's the rest of the album like?'.

Seeing current Rats has only reinforced for me that it was effectively the first two albums that won me over, to the point where patchy efforts thereafter were forgiven. Guess it proves it was the overall sound and song quality of the group that appealed more than just Bob's undeniable character.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
... it proves it was the overall sound and song quality of the group that appealed more than just Bob's undeniable character.

I think much the same. Though I have bought all of Geldof's solo material, it is more out of a completist nature than actually liking it. I think there are about eight solo tracks that that I care for at all, and even all of them combined doesn't interest me as much as V Deep, which was my least favourite LP.

I always have a listen to Geldof's new material, but don't truly care.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee and Suss- know where you're both coming from. Geldof is far from being the most creative artist around and his slight folky leanings do not really impress me that much, undoubtedly his work with the Boomtown Rats was far superior.

I would not swap one of the Rats albums for any of his solo efforts. Spending a tenner every ten years on one of his albums wont break the bank and I usually like maybe five or six tracks on each album. I suppose I do it for "emotional continuity" in my life- or that's what I tell my shrink. No I don't really have a shrink.

Any band I really like I would always consider buying a solo album by the singer or one of the other members. Andy Partridge has done good solo work but then AP has a much more inventive take on music and tends not to disappoint.

Most of the regulars on the forum, interestingly, have bought or downloaded the album- so that has to say something.

junkyard_smile · The Elephant's Graveyard

Personally, I think Sex Age and Death is Geldof's masterpiece - that's not to say it's perfect but it is IMHO the best album he's made and/or will make solo or with the band. Much of the Rats output, as great as it was at the time, sounds dated in a way that I don't think SAD will in say 20 years. If SAD had been written by someone unknown without all the media baggage it would have become a cult classic...though it still wouldn't sell.

I also really rate Vegetarians of Love - way better than V Deep.

As for Geldof's media personality I can't stand the guy other than when he's up on a stage playing music and think his loudmouth personality makes people want to hate his music even before they've heard it.

I can't imagine anyone is into Geldof's solo work that wasn't previously interested in the Rats, but I guess with each solo work fewer and fewer Rats fans bother to check out his new albums. Also imagine there are plenty out that have been cheesed off by the number of gigs he's cancelled over the years where he's gone for big venues and expensive admission prices that he doesn't have a hope of selling - that is certainly my biggest grouch against him.

jamieuka · House on Fire

I liked DITHON a lot, pretty much ITLG part 2 though I didn't like the Clapton improv stuff (would have much preferred Garrick :) and I couldn't hear any strong singles. Vegetarians was a bit mellow for me. But I thought Happy Club was wonderful: had it on 'heavy rotation' for a couple of years, couldn't wait for the follow up... no, really: I couldn't wait a decade for the follow up. It seemed to me that it was Geldof who couldn't be bothered.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

jamieuka wrote:

I liked DITHON a lot, pretty much ITLG part 2 though I didn't like the Clapton improv stuff (would have much preferred Garrick :) and I couldn't hear any strong singles. Vegetarians was a bit mellow for me. But I thought Happy Club was wonderful: had it on 'heavy rotation' for a couple of years, couldn't wait for the follow up... no, really: I couldn't wait a decade for the follow up. It seemed to me that it was Geldof who couldn't be bothered.

The veggies of love was Geldof's best selling solo work- I'm not sure how many copies it sold but at that time he could play gigs in the UK that generally would sell out. I have hazy memories of seeing him at the Forum Kentish Town in the early nineties, with a big crowd there. So in the period between Veggies and The Happy Club that audience seems to have largely vanished, never to be seen again.

Any remaining fans were hardcore Rats fans in it for the long haul. I doubt if many new fans emerged by hearing the solo stuff in isolation without reference to The Boomtown Rats and it goes on like that. It would be nice to think that some people did just buy his albums and hitched their wagons that way.

There are also the fair minded, open minded who like to give someone a chance and some of those probably have bought his current and previous album, but the numbers don't stack up for Geldof to be too bothered.

Doubtless if he way selling albums in decent numbers and could sell out any good sized town or city there would be more consistent album releases and more touring. Its a Catch 22 situation.

Most fans prefer his rockier, maybe punky type materiel but he seems to have ditched that largely in favour of a totally different type of sound, however eclectic it may be.

Think the first time the Sex Pistols played in Manchester the audience consisted of 42 people, and they didn't really get it.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:

I would not swap one of the Rats albums for any of his solo efforts.

Me neither. I wouldn't even swap my Charmed Lives single.

Any band I really like I would always consider buying a solo album by the singer or one of the other members.

I do and mostly regret it. The only artists who buck the trend somewhat are Julian Cope and Jack White (in other guises), but they aren't as good as Teardrop Explodes or White Stripes. Even Jarvis C0cker has mostly disappointed me, except for Relaxed Muscle. And for those who don't care much for Geldof's solo material don't go near Gung~Ho.

Most of the regulars on the forum, interestingly, have bought or downloaded the album- so that has to say something.

Well I listened to it on Spotify, so I don't count.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

junkyard_smile wrote:
I can't imagine anyone is into Geldof's solo work that wasn't previously interested in the Rats, but I guess with each solo work fewer and fewer Rats fans bother to check out his new albums. Also imagine there are plenty out that have been cheesed off by the number of gigs he's cancelled over the years where he's gone for big venues and expensive admission prices that he doesn't have a hope of selling - that is certainly my biggest grouch against him.

Oddly most of his solo fans on the forum tend not to like the Rats (Scottie, musicmania, and also some old friends like MJ and Katherina). The Rats fans tend to dislike it. Only Jules likes everything he has done.

The cancelling of concerts has been a very sore point and caused considerable friction between me and the management, so much so they removed all links to this forum, and called me a knob/knobhead. Well not directly cos they weren't brave enough to do that.

They still poke their noses in from time to time causing more trouble. Scottie and another old friend, Mark Boyle deleted their accounts thanks to their interference. Thankfully Scottie returned, but then again can't blame them for all the trouble, I have pissed off people enough so they don't return, including Scottie.

Safe to say, I will never buy a ticket for a Geldof concert. No fcuking chance.

-- Edited by ArrGee on Thursday 17th of February 2011 07:22:35 PM

suss · In the Long Grass

I dont mind what Geldof plays

Dont care what a critic says

I dont follow him these days

I dont mind at all

smile

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

I like to be unique. Geldof obsessive, Rats lover! However, I'm not, a few have crawled out of the woodwork on Facebook. So not unique on there... wink

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Jules wrote:

I like to be unique. Geldof obsessive, Rats lover! However, I'm not, a few have crawled out of the woodwork on Facebook. So not unique on there...

I'd like to be a word you don't hear around here too often, balanced.

At the risk of boring people all his solo albums for me have contained five or six pretty good or decent songs as well as some songs I find weak. I find it hard to believe that people could hate almost every song on each solo album. Not to be able to see some continuity between Geldofs persona with the Rats and his latter work seems a bit odd to me. I tend to concentrate on the good songs which reflect my worldview and sod the other songs. Geldof is just one of many songwriters I find empathy with, but needless to say not on each and every track.

I only joined this forum last August so I am not qualified to talk about how fans were treated with all those cancelled gigs over the years. Seems there are good grounds to be upset.

Sometimes I wish people who don't like a particular song or album would expand and elaborate on their reasons why, rather that being vague and non specific.

For me following Geldofs career means buying an album every five or six years on average and maybe seeing one live gig in that period. The worst that can happen is that I will be a bit disappointed with a handful of substandard songs. Looking on the bright side I'll get to hear an equal amount of good songs.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Sunday 20th of February 2011 03:26:30 PM

noelindublin · Loudmouth

suss wrote:

I dont mind what Geldof plays
Dont care what a critic says
I dont follow him these days
I dont mind at all

Suss the GSOD was meant as ironic, so presumably you're reply is ironic too meaning you really do care. Or some tiny part of you does.

suss · In the Long Grass

Its a fair cop guv.

I care enough to want him to do well, sell well and especially not have to cancel concerts, but I just don't get the spark from his solo stuff (that I've heard) that makes me want to buy it on the strength of the music.

I see it as affection for an ex-love after a parting of the ways. Kept in touch from afar, took a passing interest in what they were up to, but knew the passion had long since died.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

suss wrote:

Its a fair cop guv.

I care enough to want him to do well, sell well and especially not have to cancel concerts, but I just don't get the spark from his solo stuff (that I've heard) that makes me want to buy it on the strength of the music.

I see it as affection for an ex-love after a parting of the ways. Kept in touch from afar, took a passing interest in what they were up to, but knew the passion had long since died.

Think we need a bit of light relief or distraction here for a while. I recently spied a Spanish website which listed the Rats second album as Atomic For The troops.

Wonder are there any other funny misprints or misspellings which might make for some amusement

A few years ago I was chatting with a guy about music and I mentioned that I loved The Boomtown Rats, and he replied "Oh yeah they had that big hit , whatsit... Mouse Trap".

Also all the other days of the week have songs written about them except to my knowledge, Thursdays. Wonder why that is?

suss · In the Long Grass

noelindublin wrote:

Also all the other days of the week have songs written about them except to my knowledge, Thursdays. Wonder why that is?

We're back on the same wavelength biggrin . I often used to put compilations together with some sort of theme and my attempt at a 'days' listing faltered for exactly that reason.

Even Bob got most of the rest in one way or another.

"Did you read in the Sunday paper?"

"I don't like Mondays"

"Today is Tuesday"

"Tomorrow's Wednesday"

"Sat night city beat"/"Anyway it's Sat night"/ "But on Sat when I get to the dance"....

Can't think of a Rats Friday reference off top of my head...must be one somewhere?!

Guess we could just about claim a Thursday for when Judy was watching TOTP, at least it was when I was an avid viewer.

A quick scan threw up half a dozen or more songs with Thursday in title, none of which I even vaguely recognised and all by acts I've never heard of.

I guess for song purposes, as Easybeats said, Thursday goes too slow.

p.s. For what it's worth, my last post was written in lighthearted vein. ArrGee summed up the mood well - I also don't truly care - and indifferent seems to capture my stance in response to OP.

Laibach · Someone's Looking At You

Didn't David Bowie have a song called Thursdays Child?.

suss · In the Long Grass

Laibach wrote:

Didn't David Bowie have a song called Thursdays Child?.

Exactly. Never heard of him!

Ok, somehow missed that one from the list that was staring me in the face. Good call.

Looks like Tanita Tikaram did same title, presumably a cover.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

noelindublin wrote:

I'd like to be a word you don't hear around here too often, balanced.

I only joined this forum last August so I am not qualified to talk about how fans were treated with all those cancelled gigs over the years. Seems there are good grounds to be upset.

Sometimes I wish people who don't like a particular song or album would expand and elaborate on their reasons why, rather that being vague and non specific.

Balanced! Ah you don't belong round here - your opinions must be polarised. smile

I feel I am not qualified to give reasons why I don't like particular Geldof songs as I don't listen to them too much. I doubt I have even listened to The Happy Club in its entirety. And I don't plan to whilst there are a stack of unheard albums ahead of all of them in my Spotify queue and on my shelves. From what I have heard, I don't particularly like any of the albums, the latest is the least unlikeable, but neither do I truly hate any bar DITHON. The lame rethread of Waterloo Sunset was a particular low.

I have given all my opinions of the Rats stuff both here and in my blog, which are far from vauge and non specific.

BTW - You may have only been here since August 2010, but you have made more interesting posts than a lot of the other members have made in the last six years. I'm really glad you turned up; see Jules, it was worth us staying here smile

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

Yes, a few quality posters are good. biggrin

We've had a few join us over the last 6 months or so.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

I have always looked forward to the release of a new Bob Geldof album.I think a lot of Bobs solo stuff is exellent and S.A.D is brilliant.Songs like Mudslide,One For Me,When I Was Younge,Great Song Of Indifference are brilliant.I think a lot of Bobs solo stuff is underated(Blowfish is stunning) but I have to tell you this I MISS THE BOOMTOWN RATS.I wish they would do a couple of farewell gigs so we could give them the send of they deserve.I would go anywhere if the Boomtown Rats reformed(all 6 members).

noelindublin · Loudmouth

ArrGee wrote:

noelindublin wrote:

I'd like to be a word you don't hear around here too often, balanced.

I only joined this forum last August so I am not qualified to talk about how fans were treated with all those cancelled gigs over the years. Seems there are good grounds to be upset.

Sometimes I wish people who don't like a particular song or album would expand and elaborate on their reasons why, rather that being vague and non specific.
Balanced! Ah you don't belong round here - your opinions must be polarised.

I feel I am not qualified to give reasons why I don't like particular Geldof songs as I don't listen to them too much. I doubt I have even listened to The Happy Club in its entirety. And I don't plan to whilst there are a stack of unheard albums ahead of all of them in my Spotify queue and on my shelves. From what I have heard, I don't particularly like any of the albums, the latest is the least unlikeable, but neither do I truly hate any bar DITHON. The lame rethread of Waterloo Sunset was a particular low.

I have given all my opinions of the Rats stuff both here and in my blog, which are far from vauge and non specific.

BTW - You may have only been here since August 2010, but you have made more interesting posts than a lot of the other members have made in the last six years. I'm really glad you turned up; see Jules, it was worth us staying here

Six months and now I'm starting to feel the burnout. There is a certain mental fatigue and weariness that emerges in over dissecting anything. I don't spend all my time listening to Geldof and the Rats- my postings have been about things I've thought about over the years pre the Internet and naturally if one really likes a particular band then one is curious as to how others see the same artist.

I'm always listening to new music too- currently I'm listening to Florence And The Machine and British Sea Power and Laurie Anderson so I've got lots of diverse musical points of reference on my compass. The Boomtown Rats were the band that made me fall in love with music and its possibilities as an art form and vehicle for self expression.

If you don't like or hate Geldof's solo output that's fine- it isn't compulsory. I've only listened to the new album about three times and skip at least five of the dud tracks every time on How To Compose...

I have read you Rats blogs and very good they are too. As I said at the top of the thread over analyzing music and over intellectualising it, for me is a bit of a head wrecker. Never mind seeing references to Colonel Gaddafi. Maybe Geldof's song Pulled Apart By Horses is the best way for a confused fan to express how he feels.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Derek The Dane wrote:

I have always looked forward to the release of a new Bob Geldof album.I think a lot of Bobs solo stuff is exellent and S.A.D is brilliant.Songs like Mudslide,One For Me,When I Was Younge,Great Song Of Indifference are brilliant.I think a lot of Bobs solo stuff is underated(Blowfish is stunning) but I have to tell you this I MISS THE BOOMTOWN RATS.I wish they would do a couple of farewell gigs so we could give them the send of they deserve.I would go anywhere if the Boomtown Rats reformed(all 6 members).

On Too Late God from The Happy Club Bob sings- "Incarnate re incarnate/ incarnate me in my muddy hole/ won't come back as a rat/ wouldn't if I could do.."

If some fabulously wealthy millionaire was to offer them a nice sum each and say a few million pounds donation to charities of their choice would they hesitate I wonder? This is just fantasy speculation of course but we can but dream.

Like the bit about " The send off they deserve". The knives were out between various members after the last gig in Dublin in May 1986- even coming to physical violence, according to an interview with Geldof around that time. It must have been very hard for them all, knowing its the last gig ever.

Thankfully most of that now seems to be healed.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Derek The Dane wrote:
... but I have to tell you this I MISS THE BOOMTOWN RATS.I wish they would do a couple of farewell gigs so we could give them the send off they deserve.I would go anywhere if the Boomtown Rats reformed(all 6 members).

If you get the chance go and see the next best thing. The new Rats are as close as you'll ever get.

As for the originals reforming, I just can't see it happening. Even if they got over their differences, I just don't see the wider interest.

suss · In the Long Grass

I'll second that, new Rats have got the balance just right between doing the songs justice (Mondays is the only significantly different rendition) and not trying to be the old Rats, which is basically saying Peter in no way tries to be or mimic Bob.

Was very pleasantly surprised when I first saw them and would sincerely urge anyone on here to overcome any misgivings.

One of the most appealing aspects is they actually look like they're enjoying it on stage - no suggestion of going through the motions for a bit of pin money.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
One of the most appealing aspects is they actually look like they're enjoying it on stage - no suggestion of going through the motions for a bit of pin money.

If I have one teeny tiny criticism of them it is that they haven't yet played album tracks off A Tonic for the Troops. If they played Eva Braun, Don't Believe What You Read, Living In An Island and best of all, Me & Howard Hughes they would be unmissable. They could drop Diamond Smiles. Please. Drop it. It was never that good.

suss · In the Long Grass

Would certainly be good to hear any of those tracks, and if I have any criticism it would be that the set is perhaps a bit to static in the time I've seen them. That said, I wouldn't want any of the tracks dropped from set. I actually like Diamond Smiles, at least up to the na-na-na bit anyway! Just needs PB to stop singing 'she did it with style, she did it with grace' every time...

When I did the Whyteleafe thing I did ask Garry about possibility of adding songs which would suit guitar based line up, and specifically mentioned Blind Date, not because it's a particular favourite but more because it might lend itself well. He just said they've picked out songs he and Simon both like, so I didn't pursue it or infer too much.

I've always really liked Hurt Hurts, mainly for guitar break in the middle, and think they'd do that well. Particularly agree that Me and Howard Hughes would be a great addition to set.

Eva Braun is my favourite Rats song of all, but somehow that one just needs to be sung by Bob for my money. Can't pinpoint exactly why, but I think it's his delivery in that one on a great backing track that really swings it.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

suss wrote:
When I did the Whyteleafe thing I did ask Garry about possibility of adding songs which would suit guitar based line up, and specifically mentioned Blind Date, not because it's a particular favourite but more because it might lend itself well. He just said they've picked out songs he and Simon both like, so I didn't pursue it or infer too much.

Interesting, because Simon is on the record as saying A Tonic for the Troops is his favourite LP. Don't get me wrong, I like hearing the first album pretty much in its entirety as when I saw the Rats live in the late seventies/early eighties the bulk of the setlist was the 2nd, 3rd & 4th LPs. So really the whole thing has come full circle.

But the best live songs and possibly the most familar were the tracks off the second LP. I suspect that they will start to do other songs over time, just dropping big hints in case they read this forum smile

suss · In the Long Grass

Can't help but think the set would only be enhanced by some TFTT tracks. Maybe Garry isn't quite as keen as Simon.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Lying Againwould make a good live choice- a song long forgotten and not remastered for the reissues. I Just love all the Rats B sides from that time.

I've often though that a Rats b sides compilation might make an interesting release just to show how good the band really was.

When you think of it there must have been the best part of two albums worth of songs on b sides but I'm too lazy to bother counting them at the moment!