Track Listing

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 (B-side)
13. D.U.N. L.O.A.G.H.A.I.R.E (B-side In Ireland)
14. Rat Trap (Live In Stoke)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6178 in Music
• Released on: 2005-02-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .27 pounds
• Running time: 50 minutes

CD Description
A TONIC FOR THE TROOPS, the Boomtown Rats' second album, finds the Irish group furthering their mix of punk energy and pop hooks. While "Like Clockwork" and "Living on an Island" recall XTC in both their angular attack and quirky delivery,"She's So Modern" is an intentionally brash, straight-aheadrock tune. Other songs, however, allow frontman Bob Geldof to hone his lyrical talents, particularly the wry, incisive Nazi narrative "I Never Loved Eva Braun", "Me & Howard Hughes", a nod to eccentrics everywhere, and the street anthem "Rat Trap", which unabashedly channels Springsteen. Like many of their peers (Elvis Costello & the Attractions, the Clash,etc.), the Boomtown Rats were intent on channeling punk's momentum into different styles and more sophisticated song structures, and although the ensemble never achieved widespread success in the US, the record produced several hit singlesin the UK, including the latter tune. And its finest, A TONIC FOR THE TROOPS is a prime example of punk rock's restlessly inventive spirit and its often overlooked "pop" power.

Customer Reviews

A real late 70's Tonic
I was sorely tempted to award the full 5 stars just for the nostalgia value! I was given this album on audio cassette (for those who rememeber)Christmas 1978 as a very musically mature ten year old ;-) and must have played it hundreds of times until I discovered electronic music a year or two later. This was the rats at their peak, stand out tracks are So Modern, Rat Trap, Clockwork,I never loved Eva B.

They burnt brightly for a year or two and then I understand the lead singer went on to other things!?

Boom time
The Rats were always better at singles than albums, but 'Tonic for the Troops' is their best and most successful long player. After hitting the top 20 with their first single, they improved their chart position with each of their next four singles, the last of which, 'Rat Trap', became their first number one. This, and the previous two singles, 'She's So Modern' and 'Like Clockwork', are included here.
Labelled, like every new wave band, as punk rockers at first, their success was based on a compromise between the old and the new, as well as the charismatic, immodest Bob Geldof. They played up to the punk image with their slightly anarchic appearance, but their music was little more than souped-up r&b. Geldof was a barely-disguised Jagger clone. Good fun they were though and they had some good tunes. Their lyrics attacked prevailing attitudes, but were direct rather than stimulating. 'Don't believe What You Read', for example, says it all in the title. 'Rat Trap' is the most ambitious song. At least it provided an antidote to all things Travolta and, indeed, knocked him off the top of the charts. Of the bonuses, 'Do The Rat' is the b-side I most remember. It seemed hilarious at the time.
I blew a quarter of my first dole cheque (13 quid) on this, being heavily into all things new at the time. Though shallow in places, this is still an entertaining album.

Still a classic
I bought this album when it first came out as I was a big Rats fan. They always seemed to be a class above your average punk/new wave band. The songs are so well written with fast, punchy lyrics that are intelligent whilst at the same time telling a story. Some tracks such as 'She's so modern' are pure pop. Geldof's sneering voice is a perfect representation for the feeling of the period but listening to it now, it still feels contemporary. Really it's all down to the brilliant song writing. And let's face it, any song writer that can make Geldof sound good has to be a genius. No offence Sir Bob.