The Fine Art of Surfacing

The Fine Art of Surfacing was The Boomtown Rats' third album and contained the hit-single releases, "I Don't Like Mondays", "Diamond Smiles" and "Someone's Looking at You." "I Don't Like Mondays" b/w "It's All the Rage" was released in June 1979, and hit #1 in late July in the UK in the same year (the song refers to Brenda Ann Spencer's killing spree on Monday, January 29, 1979 in San Diego, California). Following the release of their very successful LP, A Tonic For The Troops, in 1978, the Boomtown Rats embarked upon a tour around England that became a hit and was called the "third best live rock gig" by Billboard behind only Queen and ELO. Bob Geldof also went around America leading up to The Fine Art of Surfacing, drumming up publicity for the band in the States. During this time the Rats learned much about both American life and breaking into the American music market. This is a recurring theme on the album, sometimes taking a serious approach in looking at American society, in songs like "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Diamond Smiles," while other times looking at it in a downright silly and mocking manner in songs like "Nothing Happened Today" and "Having My Picture Taken," the LP takes aim at 1979 life in classic punk style. Musically, this album is, for the most part, quite a departure from the Rats' punk influences that came across so clearly in their debut LP and Tonic for the Troops. The Rats display many styles in this album from a wide range of influences.