Rub It Better Explained

Rub It Better
Type:	studio
Artist:	General Public
Cover:	Rub It Better.jpg
Recorded:	1994–95
Label:	Epic
Producer:	Jerry Harrison
Prev Title:	Hand to Mouth
Prev Year:	1986
Next Title:	Classic Masters
Next Year:	2002

Rub It Better is the third studio album by English new wave band General Public, released on 4 April 1995 by Epic Records.^[1] The band had not recorded together in almost 10 years.^[2]

Production

The album was produced by Jerry Harrison, former keyboardist and guitarist for Talking Heads. The group chose to return to the ska and reggae sound of the Beat.

Critical reception

The Los Angeles Times called the album "a tuneful collection that deftly combines an assortment of reggae, rock and dance-pop colors--the trademark of the Beat and the first edition of General Public."^[3] The Kingston Whig-Standard wrote that "the closest comparison is to B.A.D. (Big Audio Dynamite), whose leader, Mick Jones, was an honorary member of General Public for its first album and appears here again."^[4]

Track listing

1. "It Must Be Tough" – 5:34 (Dave Wakeling, Michael Railton, Roger Charlery)
2. "Rainy Days" – 4:06 (Charlery, Railton, Horace Panter)
3. "Hold It Deep" – 4:34 (Wakeling, Charlery, Railton, Andy "Stoker" Growcott)
4. "Big Bed" – 4:12 (Norman Jones, Wakeling, Charlery, Railton)
5. "Punk" – 3:05 (Charlery)
6. "Friends Again" – 5:41 (Wakeling, David Ricketts, Railton)
7. "It's Weird" – 5:50 (Charlery, Railton)
8. "Never Not Alone" – 4:21 (Wakeling, Charlery, Railton)
9. "Handgun" – 4:52 (Wakeling, Railton)
10. "Blowhard" – 4:38 (Wakeling, Railton)
11. "Warm Love" – 3:35 (Van Morrison)
12. "Rub It Better" – 5:32 (Charlery, Wakeling, Patrick Murray)

Personnel

General Public

• David Wakeling – vocals, guitar
• Ranking Roger – vocals, programming
• Michael Railton – keyboards, vocals
• Norman Jones – percussion, vocals
• Wayne Lothian – bass
• Dan Chase – drums

with:

• Jerry Harrison – guitars, keyboards, background vocals
• Mick Jones – guitars
• Chris Spedding – guitars
• Alex Weir – guitars
• Chris Karn – guitars
• Chris Manos – guitars
• Marc Antoine Vouilloux – guitars
• Saxa – saxophone
• Andrew Gayle – saxophone
• Tom Fabre – saxophone
• David Longoria – trumpet/ trumpet solo "Friends Again"
• Greg Smith – trombone
• Norton Buffalo – harmonica
• Pato Banton – toasting
• Arlene Newson – background vocals
• Andrea Gaines – background vocals
• Sharon Celani – background vocals

Notes and References

1. Web site: General Public | Biography & History. AllMusic.
2. News: Maples . Tina . General Public gets back together at just the right time Reunion leads to `Rub It Better' album . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . 2 July 1995 . 8.
3. Web site: PUBLIC PERSONA : Traditional Gig Kicks Off Shift in General Direction. May 18, 1995. Los Angeles Times.
4. News: Still singing after all these years . The Kingston Whig-Standard . 29 Apr 1995 . Companion . 5.