The Boomtown Rats - The Boomtown Rats - New Video

Mark L · Loudmouth

The Boomtown Rats - The Boomtown Rats - New Video

Derek The Dane · V Deep

Quite simply BRILLIANT.And it possibly only cost 10 quid to make.

raticus · She's So Modern

Is it actually their new single?

noelindublin · Loudmouth

It reminds me of one of those ads for antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil etc) they are actually allowed to advertise on tv in America. They normally show downcast individuals looking lost with life, and then voice over asks 'Have you ever considered Prozac?, just call this toll free number......

Re the music it is another example, for me anyway, of a Rats song sounding better as a recording, than when played live. Maybe it's just hearing it on earphones when you get the dimension of the sound,and can pick up on things that are lost when the music is blasted our at a live gig. Lots of little flourishes and beeps than you just miss when you hear it live.

I still think the band can, and will, do a lot better. Geldof just has to get over his 'rat' fixation or someone should reign him. He has written another song called Rat life according to the interview in Mojo. The guys at Q think The Boomtown Rats is not up to much, so do most on this forum. At best this is mediocre, treading water, and not much to get excited about. Not sure if it is being released as a single, but for me I hope not. It might make a b side, if there were any b sides anymore. smile

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

I think this is really good. Nice to see them together again. This could be a hit really catchy.

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

I like the video. Did they manage to record those very serious faces without laughing? Cute rats cleaning their faces and sniffing around the human rats faces. Nice find.

Ian D · House on Fire

It's a tough one, can we expect or do the band want to try and produce music that would fit in the late 70's early 80's again. I'm not even sure that it would be possible to do that. I guess they have to move on and we have to wait and see what they come up with. This song is really for the live arena I think. I keep seeing the late newsreader Richard Baker when I see Garry in this video!

-- Edited by Ian D on Sunday 11th of August 2013 10:20:37 AM

Mark L · Loudmouth

I don't like it all I'm afraid. Bob's clearly capable of writing stuff that doesn't fit into the late 70s/early 80s and which is more widely well received than this, even when it was put together quickly and on the fly, like Indifference in the 90s. As you say, it's ok for the live arena, as they take to the stage etc but beyond that, it holds no appeal for me.

Although a little twee, it was only a year or so ago that Silly Pretty Thing was very well received and received a lot of radio play. The parent album was generally well regarded. There can be no question that they can put together something better than this, it's a question of will they?

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

I've not heard this at all on the radio and can't imagine it being on anyone's playlist. It doesn't fit rock music, and dance stations aren't going to entertain an old new wave band. A bit of fun for the stage and nothing else.

I can't see myself thinking oh what shall I listen to - oh yes The Boomtown Rats. Unless it is the original album. It would be good to hear some songs that aren't self titled and are about something else. I realise that's prejudging Back to Boomtown, but the title sounds rather naff.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Guys,

Give it a rest. It's the rats How can they try and sound 70s80s. In my opinion this new song fits very well into where we are today. That's what I liked about them. They tried to do thing different. Just enjoy

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

No big deal, just an opinion.

. Ok it will get played on BBC radio 6 if Geldof is presenting.

Ian D · House on Fire

manatthetop wrote:
Guys,
Give it a rest. It's the rats How can they try and sound 70s80s. In my opinion this new song fits very well into where we are today. That's what I liked about them. They tried to do thing different. Just enjoy

As Jules says its just an opinion. Fantastic that they are back but i'm afraid you can't force me to 'enjoy' this track.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Your right it's just an opinion. No one's asking you to like it,. But it's the rat being back together again that is more important. Not what people think. They do not need to prove anything this time round, and to me anyway it's geldof just being geldof. He did sing in one of his songs (wouldn't come back as a rat even if i wanted to)So . Chill out be cool and stay free. And just enjoy

Mark L · Loudmouth

manatthetop said: No one's asking you to like it

You were rather, by instructing us, it seemed, to keep quiet and enjoy it! I am delighted that 4 of the original 6 Rats are back together, and if that's what you're referring to when you said 'enjoy' then fair enough. But if I can't come on a Rats forum and express a view on a Rats song without being told to 'give it a rest' just because it doesn't coincide with your view, then it's a poor show.

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

I'm not going to keep quiet, I'm enjoying the reunion, enjoying the fans meet ups, hearing all the music and having discussions with my fellow fans about our opinions of the new tracks.

. Why not? It's just a bit of fun.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Mark L wrote:
manatthetop said: No one's asking you to like it
You were rather, by instructing us, it seemed, to keep quiet and enjoy it! I am delighted that 4 of the original 6 Rats are back together, and if that's what you're referring to when you said 'enjoy' then fair enough. But if I can't come on a Rats forum and express a view on a Rats song without being told to 'give it a rest' just because it doesn't coincide with your view, then it's a poor show.

I agree. Say what you like about the song. I think it's pretty lame. OK as something for the band to come on stage to, but not as a proper Rats song. As for not sounding like something from the 1970s/1980s, there are bands like The Black Keys and The Strypes going down a storm with music that would not be out of time back then.

raticus · She's So Modern

I am actually warming to get and it sticks in my head. I dont think its single material but its a fun track.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Hi all,

Chill, It's all just fun. But regarding 4 out of 6 Cott was well gone. The rats went on to play loner with 5 in the band. So in my opinion the only one missing is Johnny

Mark L · Loudmouth

The Rats formed in '75 and Gerry left in '81 (6 years and 4 albums with him). The Rats split in '86 (5 years and 2 albums without him). He toured with them more than he was absent.

So in my opinion the 2 who we are missing are Gerry and Johnnie, especially with their heavy attention to the first 4 albums in the current arrangements.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Okay. Mark you win. 100% right. But regarding the 4th LP he did not have as much input. As by this stage the rest were pissed off with him

noelindublin · Loudmouth

The song is credited to Geldof and Briqutte on the vevo further information button. It certainly would be interesting if Simon and Garry came up with some songs.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Yeah, The two of them seem to do some nice songs together. The boomtown rats sound something to me like of one of Geldof's cd's the last one. Popular songs that will sell. This song could well have fitted on this LP

suss · In the Long Grass

Interesting comment. Which of last Geldof CD is similar do you think?

Personally I think it's a complete departure/new sound for him/them, clearly aimed at a 2013 audience and not long-standing fans necessarily. It feels a bit 'rushed' somehow, like something new and different was needed to herald the relaunch but with a fast closing deadline, so not much time to devote to lyrics or meaningful message. It does get inside your head after a few listens I can't deny, but can't see this one getting into my heart. Question is does this genre ever really grab the heart and soul, or is it deliberately and inevitably instant, for the gigs and the clubs (theoretically) rather than the bedroom and headphones?

It's probably their best stab at a dance track to date though, and for me hits the mark more than some of the V Deep attempts to find that crowd. Perversely would probably appeal more if it didn't repeat name ad infinitum, but can see why that was one of the top criteria for a relaunch attention seeking song.

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

Hi Suss,

Couldn't agree with you more. Parts of this song (The boomtown rats) sound abit like systematic six pack Know that thrumming sound. But in saying that I like it. It one of them songs that has to grow on you. But only if your in to rats/Geldof Others my hold a very different opinion. As you point out V. Deep Hit and miss for them 1st 3 Lps can't fault. Then it goes abit down hill But in saying that some nice good songs on the last 3 Lps

Mark L · Loudmouth

You get hooked so quick to anything.....even your chains!

Taking ages for me though with this

manatthetop · In the Long Grass

When the night come's I'll be pissed once or twice. But don't believe what to read. So I'm of now, having my picture taken

noelindublin · Loudmouth

diffbrook wrote:
I love the video. They really do look menacing, even Simon!!!

As for the song? If its supposed to be a single promo for the album, then sorry but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

It sounds fine as a warm up track - but that is all.

It's a Geldof/Briqutte track that I think, musically, owes a lot to Pete moreso than Bob. There were a couple of extra tracks on the Geldof anthology written by Briqutte and Geldof which have a heavily 'produced' sound.

I don't think the band is necessarily jumping on any bandwagons. Briquette to be fair to him has been writing this kind of sound for a long time, and tracks like Six Million Dolllar loser, and Scream In Vain are examples of such work. Anybody suggesting it is the Rats trying to come up with a really modern sound may not to too au fait with what Geldof and Briqutte have been doing for the best part of 15 years. Another good example of this sound is a song called Two Dogs (from the Geldof Anthology).

I have a bigger problem with the lyrics of The Boomtown Rats than the actual music. Is the song about going back to Dublin on an imagined visit, or about going back to the Boomtown Rats as a band member?

I hope we get more basic tracks, with guitar and piano to showcase the bands true potential. Not much point in reforming and then having a sound which owes too much to modern studio techniques and trickery. Ideally the earlier guitar sound will be to the fore, and a few of the tracks might lean in the direction of Pete and his box of sonic tricks.

Interestingly Geldof said that 'They (Mercury Records) wanted us to do a few new tracks', but the two new tracks on the greatest hits album are without doubt the two worst tracks on it. It's a pity we have not got a great new single to rave about before the release of the greatest hits compilation.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 26th of August 2013 02:48:30 PM

diffbrook · House on Fire

I love the video. They really do look menacing, even Simon!!!

As for the song? If its supposed to be a single promo for the album, then sorry but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

It sounds fine as a warm up track - but that is all.

diffbrook · House on Fire

I understand where you are coming from about Petes possible major involvement, but then doesnt this song fit in more of a Geldof Solo track? Maybe it was a rushed decision (pushed by the record company) to get something new on the Album and Geldof/Briquette had a few tracks on the shelf, rather than start from scratch with the full band?

Funny thing is, that after a few listens it does have a catchy hook to it. Possibly sounds good in a club really loud.

noelindublin wrote:
diffbrook wrote:
I love the video. They really do look menacing, even Simon!!!

As for the song? If its supposed to be a single promo for the album, then sorry but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

It sounds fine as a warm up track - but that is all.
It's a Geldof/Briqutte track that I think, musically, owes a lot to Pete moreso than Bob. There were a couple of extra tracks on the Geldof anthology written by Briqutte and Geldof which have a heavily 'produced' sound.
I don't think the band is necessarily jumping on any bandwagons. Briquette to be fair to him has been writing this kind of sound for a long time, and tracks like Six Million Dolllar loser, and Scream In Vain are examples of such work. Anybody suggesting it is the Rats trying to come up with a really modern sound may not to too au fait with what Geldof and Briqutte have been doing for the best part of 15 years. Another good example of this sound is a song called Two Dogs (from the Geldof Anthology).
I have a bigger problem with the lyrics of The Boomtown Rats than the actual music. Is the song about going back to Dublin on an imagined visit, or about going back to the Boomtown Rats as a band member?
I hope we get more basic tracks, with guitar and piano to showcase the bands true potential. Not much point in reforming and then having a sound which owes too much to modern studio techniques and trickery. Ideally the earlier guitar sound will be to the fore, and a few of the tracks might lean in the direction of Pete and his box of sonic tricks.
Interestingly Geldof said that 'They (Mercury Records) wanted us to do a few new tracks', but the two new tracks on the greatest hits album are without doubt the two worst tracks on it. It's a pity we have not got a great new single to rave about before the release of the greatest hits compilation.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 26th of August 2013 02:48:30 PM

suss · In the Long Grass

noelindublin wrote:
diffbrook wrote:
They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

Interestingly Geldof said that 'They (Mercury Records) wanted us to do a few new tracks', but the two new tracks on the greatest hits album are without doubt the two worst tracks on it.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 26th of August 2013 02:48:30 PM

Call me anal...ytical, or somesuch, but I started thinking about this in comparison to long standing relationships. You absolutely love those early heady days, become familiar and a touch more critical as time moves on, but still defend to the hilt if others dare to criticise. You also struggle with any reinvention or flirting with the younger generation smile

My point is that we're not best placed to be truly objective here. Would be interesting to see reactions in a club, assuming no one was told the band are all 60 plus. Don't think the title would be a giveaway, as most of my son's peers would look blank at mention of Boomtown Rats. I do think it's strong enough to get people dancing and chanting - they wouldn't give a monkeys about the lyrics in between. It's predominantly a dance track after all, or EDP as Geldof called it. As I mentioned earlier, that's why I don't find it too personal. It's catchy, but not memorable.

I've got no gripes with attempts to move on, but it isn't the Boomtown Rats we fell in love with. My only concern is whether it's going to lead to the infamous musical differences before we've even got going.

As for the 2 tracks being the worst. Not heard the other one. Is it available somewhere for a preview, or prehear?

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

diffbrook wrote:
I love the video. They really do look menacing, even Simon!!!

As for the song? If its supposed to be a single promo for the album, then sorry but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

It sounds fine as a warm up track - but that is all.

Totally agree. The Strypes are relevant. The Black Keys are even more relevant. They both play pared down r 'n' b.

As for it sounding good in a club, I doubt it would ever get played in one. That does come with the proviso that I haven't been in a club for donkey's years. For all I know they play wall to wall 1970s glam, punk and new wave these days.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

suss wrote:
noelindublin wrote:
diffbrook wrote:
They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

Interestingly Geldof said that 'They (Mercury Records) wanted us to do a few new tracks', but the two new tracks on the greatest hits album are without doubt the two worst tracks on it.

-- Edited by noelindublin on Monday 26th of August 2013 02:48:30 PM
Call me anal...ytical, or somesuch, but I started thinking about this in comparison to long standing relationships. You absolutely love those early heady days, become familiar and a touch more critical as time moves on, but still defend to the hilt if others dare to criticise. You also struggle with any reinvention or flirting with the younger generation
My point is that we're not best placed to be truly objective here. Would be interesting to see reactions in a club, assuming no one was told the band are all 60 plus. Don't think the title would be a giveaway, as most of my son's peers would look blank at mention of Boomtown Rats. I do think it's strong enough to get people dancing and chanting - they wouldn't give a monkeys about the lyrics in between. It's predominantly a dance track after all, or EDP as Geldof called it. As I mentioned earlier, that's why I don't find it too personal. It's catchy, but not memorable.
I've got no gripes with attempts to move on, but it isn't the Boomtown Rats we fell in love with. My only concern is whether it's going to lead to the infamous musical differences before we've even got going.
As for the 2 tracks being the worst. Not heard the other one. Is it available somewhere for a preview, or prehear?

With any new songs the stakes are very high. There is a reputation to protect and also enhance. Geldof tends to overwrite for his albums, so with any new Rats product, whenever that might be, there should be plenty of songs available for selection. Garry mentioned that he was was 'trading licks' with Geldof a while back, so presumably Garry's input would be more r an b, basic guitar type songs and input. Simon has co written some of the old Rats tracks too, so the basic ingredients are still there for a decent new album. Pete is the most progressive of the lot, being a producer he should be well up on modern recording, having worked with lots of bands over the last few decades.

Who knows, if the get together with a good producer, what may emerge? Geldof was critisising Facebook and Google recently-maybe he will put it down in a song?

I haven't heard the other track Back To Boomtown yet, though I think it has some sax, like on Rat Trap and namechecks Billy again, and seems to be about how the Celtic Tiger economy in Ireland turned sour, and how a few in the banking sector exploited the masses. Personally I find this a bit of a broad brush construct to shoehorn into a song. Is Geldof as an exiled multi millionaire a reliable narrator? One of the mags like Q or Mojo said the two new songs were not very good.

Geldof can still occasionally come up with the goods. Some songs like Mary Says or My Birthday Suit have a high emotional impact just through the power of Geldof's voice. Blowfish is the type of song I wish he would do with the Rats- like a drunken Captain Beefheart number.

Derek The Dane · V Deep

The song is better live than studio track.You can sing a long to it live with the crowd but at home on your own its a bit lame.If The Boomtown Rats do a new album I would love it to follow the first to albums with lots of deep lyrics and sax.

noelindublin · Loudmouth

Derek The Dane wrote:
The song is better live than studio track.You can sing a long to it live with the crowd but at home on your own its a bit lame.If The Boomtown Rats do a new album I would love it to follow the first to albums with lots of deep lyrics and sax.

If there is lots of sax then people will just say they sound like Bruce Springsteen. If they start using sax and brass it will turn out like V Deep, with the 'extra' musicians overshadowing the basic sound of the Rats. Just stick to guitar, bass, piano and they should be fine.

Sax also just invites comparisons with songs like Rat Trap and most likely will come off the worst in comparison. If they can come up with an album like In The Long Grass I will be more than satisfied.

Mutt Lange their original producer is just a few years older than Geldof. Wonder is there any chance of him or Tony Visconti ever getting involved again? Or Bob Clearmountain and James Guthrie?

Mark L · Loudmouth

Quite an impressive view count now on this, on You Tube, with over 158,000 visits.

Whilst Back to Boomtown hasn't been up as long, it languishes behind on less than a 1000 despite being a far superior track in my view.

Mind you, what do I know? All the official videos on You Tube have view counts generally proportionate to the chart position/popularity of the single in question, apart from Elephants Graveyard. Compare and contrast: Never in a Million Years, position 65, with 7400 views. Graveyard, position 26, with just under 4000 views.

Now rarely played on the current tour, and bearing in mind most people's ranking of it in Rate the Singles on here, I think I afford this song more due than it deserves.

Even a live version of Charmed Lives is getting nearly 7000 hits..........

Marti-Anne · Like Clockwork

diffbrook wrote:
I love the video. They really do look menacing, even Simon!!!

As for the song? If its supposed to be a single promo for the album, then sorry but they are barking up the wrong tree. They should stick to what they do best and that is R&B. They are the Boomtown Rats not Daft Punk. Maybe they wanted to sound relevant, but I think they have missed the point. Their relevance is the sound that they produced back in their hey day and which is still relevant today.

It sounds fine as a warm up track - but that is all.

I loved the video too. Great to see what Simon looks like up close as he is always hidden behind his drum kit on the latest clips on Youtube. Think he is more attractive now than in his twenties.

I like the song but I love Back to Boomtown. It is good to see that they have been back in the studio, even if it is for only a handful of songs.

Mark L · Loudmouth

Back to Boomtown is back to form - I think it's a great song, full of emotion, great lyrics, superb drumming from Simon, great sax work and lots of fluttery hooks and swooping harmonies. A classic Rats track.

daggerrat · Never In A Million Years

Hi Suss,

Good to meet you the other night, enjoy the rest of the tour, cant believe your doing them all. No doubt if the Rats tour again or play the odd festival i will get to share a pint with you.

The crowd in the pub beforehand seemed like a nice bunch, didnt get to speak to them all due to how crowded it was etc but they all seemed good to me, rats fans from all corners of the globe " well nearly "

Cant believe the Roundhouse write up in the standard, i dont think they could have been there, same garbage they always write, dont believe what you read should always be part of the encore me thinks

Cheers

Martin

suss · In the Long Grass

Good to meet you too. That's one of the great by products of forum/internet. Nowadays we can all establish where to meet and so on. Always a pleasure for me.

Haven't seen any press reviews yet. Any negative ones can only be fuelled by anti Geldof agenda, imho.

Look forward to meeting again sometime soon. Would hope the reactions to this tour generate interest for something next year if not more.