Search - Boomtown Rats :: Tonic for the Troops

Tonic for the Troops
Boomtown Rats
Tonic for the Troops
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

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' ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Boomtown Rats
Title: Tonic for the Troops
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Universal I.S.
Original Release Date: 1/1/1978
Re-Release Date: 3/1/2005
Album Type: Extra tracks, Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop, Rock
Styles: Hardcore & Punk, New Wave & Post-Punk, Europe, Britain & Ireland
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 602498267745

Synopsis

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.
 

CD Reviews

It's a rat trap...and we've been Caught!
Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 01/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."