Oh Search and Destroy as well.
― dog latin, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― the pinefox, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
And is Sice the least charismatic rock frontperson ever?
― Venga, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dirty Vicar, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― keith, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― alex thomson, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― james e l, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― carsmilesteve, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
As I see it, the very earliest stuff (even _Ichabod and I_) is quite good, but _Everything's Alright Forever_ was a low point, sorta there and no more outside of a couple of songs. But after "Lazarus," strength to strength from there on in. And the singles were all just packed with some amazing B-sides and remixes; I went ahead and made a grand four CDR comp out of them all, plus a lot of the random rarities.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dr. C, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Geordie Racer, Sunday, 22 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
About the B-sides, I managed to get 2 extensive D90s of their excellent b-sides (which were often better than the rest of their material (seek: Blues for George Michael, Vegas, Sunfly II, Wallpaper, Almost Nearly There)... how in god's name did you get 4 CDs out of that? I thought i had almost all their rarities (then again i never included remixes or live edits - maybe i should)... I think the Boos were forgotten about because younger people (21 and under now) remember them as that band who did that Wake Up! song that used to play every morning before school and annoy them (actually, it was that song and Leaves & Sand that introduced me)... over 21s remember them as an excellent band who went pop and didn't do much after their Ride-era Everything's Alright Forever... Luckily, I never really gave up on them. I always thought the choice of A-Sides they brought out were abysmal though (Destroy: It's Lulu, Free Huey (ugh!), Barney & Me, What's In The Box) actually, I only bought the singles for the awesome b-sides where Martin Carr seemed to be able to do what the fuck he liked. I think they were a little scared of getting their experiments heard and so released their most straight-ahead tracks on single.
― Omar, Monday, 23 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Kingsize is good and their most straight forward album although Carr was pretty apathetic about the recording compared to the others.
Just heard Ichabod and I recently and was surprised how excellent it sounded, possibly even better than Everythings Alright Forever.
Martin Carrs new stuff as Brave Captain is also excellent and also really prolific, a mini album, an album, a 10" single and a cd single so far and the stuff is great. Good live too if you can catch them.
One of the best of the 90s.
― Mark Smith, Monday, 23 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Shit - I even like Wake Up.
That said, their best track - Skywalker - was the free giveaway single on C'Mon Kids. Drum'n'bass scuzzed up rock. Made you kinda wish the rest of the album was that good. Oh yes, those were the days.
― Pete, Monday, 23 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Search: Giant Steps, Everything's Alright ForverEven the weakest disc (C'mon Kids, IMHO) is pretty damn OK. Destroy nothing but your preconceptions.
― John Bullabaugh (John Bullabaugh), Thursday, 15 May 2003 00:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 15 May 2003 07:47 (twenty years ago) link
search: everything the boo's ever made except for the weird remixesdestroy: nothing but your silly head Mr Dud!
― Tommy BOO, Thursday, 15 May 2003 08:44 (twenty years ago) link
Have come to the sacrilicious conclusion that 1) Wake Up! is the best album, and 2) Wake Up Boo! is the best thing they ever did by a million silvery skyscraping miles. I like the Boo Radleys.
― Alex in Rotherham (alexfack), Thursday, 15 May 2003 08:46 (twenty years ago) link
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 15 May 2003 10:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Grumble, Thursday, 15 May 2003 10:52 (twenty years ago) link
― Lynskey (Lynskey), Thursday, 15 May 2003 11:15 (twenty years ago) link
― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 15 May 2003 11:16 (twenty years ago) link
Albums:Wake Up! > Giant Steps > Everything's Alright Forever > Kingsize > Ichabod & I > C'Mon Kids
Singles Choices (Era):Giant Steps > Everything's Alright Forever > Wake Up! > C'Mon Kids > Kingsize
B-Sides (Era):Wake Up! > Everything's Alright Forever > Giant Steps > C'mon Kids > Kingsize
They followed their best album with their worst album and lost all their momentum. Hell, they lost all their momentum right after "Wake Up Boo!" by releasing "Find The Answer Within" as the 2nd single. They should have gone with "Reaching Out From Here", and then "Wilder". And yes, "Free Huey" is their worst single -- if not song -- ever.
Their B-sides were always hit and miss. Hell, the ones from Giant Steps could be squalling noise for 2 minutes and then jolt into something beautiful. If I can remember correctly, 3 years ago, I made 3 CDR's just from their B-sides myself. One is good b-sides, one is remixes, and one is crap b-sides. I'll have to go digging through some boxes later today.
All that said, I don't especially miss them. Hence the cdr's buried in boxes.
― blutroniq (blutroniq), Thursday, 15 May 2003 16:03 (twenty years ago) link
― Lynskey (Lynskey), Thursday, 15 May 2003 16:06 (twenty years ago) link
― blutroniq (blutroniq), Thursday, 15 May 2003 16:08 (twenty years ago) link
One of the best bands ever - as well as the above there are loads of ace b-sides and other stuff.
Love 'em to bits and always will. BOO Forever people.
― Bev#, Thursday, 15 May 2003 16:56 (twenty years ago) link
― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 15 May 2003 17:13 (twenty years ago) link
― Kelly, Thursday, 15 May 2003 17:15 (twenty years ago) link
And your problem is?
― Lynskey (Lynskey), Thursday, 15 May 2003 17:16 (twenty years ago) link
1. Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock 2. I Hang Suspended 3. What's In The Box (See Whatcha Got) 4. Take The Time Around 5. Almost Nearly There 6. Wake Up Boo! 7. There She Goes 8. Lazy Day 9. Zoom10. Hold On Brother11. Ride The Tiger12. Skyscraper13. Stuck On Amber14. Does This Hurt?15. Memory Babe16. Wish I Was Skinny17. Reaching Out From Here18. Kingsize19. Wilder
Feel free to rant or rave over my choices.
Forgot all about a few of these tracks, like "Hold On Brother" which is from the War Child comp, "There She Goes" from the So I Married An Axe Murderer OST, and "Almost Nearly There" which is a "From the Bench of Belvidere" B-side
― blutroniq (blutroniq), Thursday, 15 May 2003 19:01 (twenty years ago) link
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 15 May 2003 22:51 (twenty years ago) link
― keith (keithmcl), Friday, 16 May 2003 00:18 (twenty years ago) link
― Clarke B., Friday, 16 May 2003 02:18 (twenty years ago) link
― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 22 May 2003 23:43 (twenty years ago) link
I love the Boo Radleys again, now. Hurrah!
― Alex in Rotherham (Alex in Doncaster), Friday, 23 May 2003 08:41 (twenty years ago) link
Cheers!
― paul c, Monday, 23 June 2003 17:01 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 23 June 2003 17:09 (twenty years ago) link
― Clarke B., Tuesday, 24 June 2003 05:42 (twenty years ago) link
― dog latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 09:20 (twenty years ago) link
Search: Boo Faith and the early EPs compilationDestroy: everything post Giant Steps
― kate (kate), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 09:23 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 09:29 (twenty years ago) link
― kate (kate), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 09:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 09:32 (twenty years ago) link
― Kingfish (Kingfish), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 13:06 (twenty years ago) link
― Clarke B. (stolenbus), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 17:00 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 17:15 (twenty years ago) link
― Clarke B. (stolenbus), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 17:44 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 17:58 (twenty years ago) link
― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 18:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 24 June 2003 19:12 (twenty years ago) link
― John Bullabaugh (John Bullabaugh), Friday, 27 June 2003 04:16 (twenty years ago) link
best recommendation ever
― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Friday, 27 June 2003 04:17 (twenty years ago) link
― kate (kate), Friday, 27 June 2003 07:23 (twenty years ago) link
― T. Weiss (Timmy), Monday, 4 August 2003 19:56 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 4 August 2003 20:59 (twenty years ago) link
― dog latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 5 August 2003 00:41 (twenty years ago) link
― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 5 August 2003 07:35 (twenty years ago) link
― dog latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 5 August 2003 14:59 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 5 August 2003 15:31 (twenty years ago) link
Please, for the love of god, if you love music buy "Find A Way Out". You'll be very pleased.
― dog latin (dog latin), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 01:35 (eighteen years ago) link
When I first heard that they were going to put out the anthology Find The Way Out, I decided to go back and play every album to get ready for it. Worth buying because the remastered songs sound just a bit richer. I would play only one for a solid week or longer then on to the next one. I Love them but was going to be honest with myself and if anything didn't hold up I would have to admit it. Are they really the best band from the 90s bar none? Well I was going to find out.
Learning To Walk was still some glorious white noise. Everything's Alright Forever has some amazing pieces of music on it. They matured quite a bit from those first three E.P.'s, but not the greatest thing. Compared to other things around this time that was similar it's really good but compared to the Boos stuff, sub par. Still really don't give much thought behind Ichabob And I despite owning it.
I was absolutely floored on my rediscovery of Giant Steps. I have played other albums by them moreso recently and haven't played it for a while. It really is their White Album and should be the one that they will be remembered for. So many things ideas and sounds are put on to this record. Truly a masterpiece that many fans say they never were able to touch again. Have loved reading what Martin and the fans have written about this album on the web site. There are some hard-core fans of this very album, astonished to hear that. Some of what Martin wrote about the sound of this album: "I just listened to the album now in headphones for the first time in an age and I can hear Surf's Up/Smile/Pet Sounds, Spiritualized, Suede (well, Bernard Butler), The Flaming Lips, London Calling by The Clash (I think all the dub on the album sounds like the people who made it hadn't heard an awful lot of dub music) Moose, Dinosaur Jr, Sugar, MBV, Forever Changes by Love (of course), Goffin/King, New Order, The Beatles, Spacemen 3, Gershwin. It all sounds very old fashioned to me but that's from a distance of ten years, I could never make an album like that now. I heard Os Mutantes about seven years later and realised that we hadn't done anything that hadn't been done before. I wanted everything to sound like a bootleg, like the Smile CD that we listened to so much in those days, with mistakes and talking and all that stuff but I don't hear as much of that as I thought I would." http://www.booradleys.co.uk/giantsteps
Next came Wake Up! which I like to call their Beatles album. A stage they needed to go through at the time. It's the least sounding Boo Radleys album that they made but was surprised because I enjoyed more then I remember. Better than most Britpop albums around this same time but give me my band back.
I wanted loud, I wanted aggression, I wanted creativity, I wanted C'mon Kids. The record buying public hated this album after the last one. I couldn't be any happier; this is what the Boo Radleys were all about. Maybe throwing in too may ideas on each song but a song like "Bullfrog Green" takes my breath away.
There are times in your life where certain albums mean so much to you that it's impossible to put into words. Kingsize is one of those albums for me as it came along at the perfect time. It seemed to speak for me and not just about me. There is no other album I have played more since its release in late 1998. One flaw is that "Free Huey" doesn't work and I skip it each and every time I play this album. I guess "The Future Is Now" is sort of out of place as well and would be a much stronger closing with "Song From the Blueroom" but I don't mind at all. About a year later I bought the U.S. version of this album for one extra song called "Put Your Arms Around Me and Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK." It seemed to be the perfect song to close their story. This album is the most misunderstood album of theirs but it's by far the most rewarding.
So yeah classic, everything and that is not going into some of the best B-sides of any band. Hope to see remastered versions of these albums some day along with the B-sides story that needs to be told. Band of the 90's and happy the quit when they did and didn't keep putting out stuff past their peak like it seems SFA have done.
"Just a simple song but God I love it. Embedded in me, so bittersweet. I'm addicted, I'm a melancholic. Sing it again. I'll be your friend forever."
― BeeOK (boo radley), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 07:28 (eighteen years ago) link
― snowballing (snowballing), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 08:07 (eighteen years ago) link
Next stop...probably EAF.
― Obvious Ninja (Haberdager), Tuesday, 29 August 2006 22:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― less-than three's Christiane F. (drowned in milk), Tuesday, 29 August 2006 23:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― edger stewert (edger), Tuesday, 29 August 2006 23:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― keyth (keyth), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 00:53 (seventeen years ago) link
― edger stewert (edger), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 01:05 (seventeen years ago) link
Hey, I like that mistype!
Anyway, as I said on the "celebration" web page, I packed it after Giant Steps as it did everything I wanted to do musically. I note it did not inspire many bands to be as musically adventurous. How could you 'copy' being individual? Who could follow it?
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 07:45 (seventeen years ago) link
OTMFM. Just this little section was enough to affect me enough as a teen to change the way I appreciate music for ever. You have no idea how much I love Giant Steps. As for "I've Lost The Reason", I always saw it as part of a triumverate of songs along with "Best Lose The Fear" and "Take The Time Around". For some reason these sound like they were written to sit next to each other.
It took me a long time to realise how sad and depressed the lyrics were to "Wake Up!" and I'm only just getting round to this fact with "Giant Steps". I guess GS is a concept album in nostalgia, uncertainty, being 23 - that stage between being a young adult and an adult when people won't take you seriously despite all your greatest ambitions. "Wake Up!" is a concept album about being 25 and being granted your independence and having the world as your oyster, but still feeling somehow unsatisfied with this pseudo-utopian setting, revealing itself to actually be a bigger burden than you had expected. And of course it's all set to the most wonderful offbeat psychedelic pop music.
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:17 (seventeen years ago) link
Woops, my mistake, I thought you were talking about "If You Want It, Take It". No this song is a goodie and it kinda points towards how they'd sound on "Wake Up".
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:46 (seventeen years ago) link
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 08:58 (seventeen years ago) link
Heartbreaking reallly.
I should one day learn to shut my gob about the Boo Radleys.
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 09:05 (seventeen years ago) link
― bad hair day house (fandango), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 09:16 (seventeen years ago) link
Realised a few years ago that I was so wrong and Giant Steps was their crowning acheivement and I'll echo everything dog latin has said, brilliant record. It was Martin's lyrics that pushed them over into greatness for me though right enough. Also the whole thing of them dreaming of being pop stars and being on TOTP as kids, actually acheiving it then realising it was crap whilst writing about this in the songs. Brilliant.
I've lost track of Brave Captain though I did like the first few releases. Saw him live at King Tuts and got to talk to him a bit on his first solo tour and he was a thoroughly nice chap and happy to give credit where it was due to the other guys in the band, didn't seem to be any animosity. He also played an absolutely blinding gig. Mind you, also saw him a year or two later with a different (inept) band and he was shit and since then I don't think I've listened to any BC stuff at all.
― mms (mms), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 10:31 (seventeen years ago) link
― hank (hank s), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 11:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― dud Hab 'C' dEva (Dada), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 11:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― wogan lenin (dog latin), Wednesday, 30 August 2006 12:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Friday, 23 February 2007 14:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― PJ Miller, Friday, 23 February 2007 15:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Friday, 23 February 2007 15:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Friday, 23 February 2007 15:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Luke Reinhard, Friday, 23 February 2007 21:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Geir Hongro, Friday, 23 February 2007 21:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Geir Hongro, Friday, 23 February 2007 21:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― leavethecapital, Friday, 23 February 2007 21:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Friday, 23 February 2007 22:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Jones, Saturday, 24 February 2007 13:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Monday, 19 March 2007 21:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Monday, 19 March 2007 22:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― spotter, Monday, 19 March 2007 23:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― koogs, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 11:15 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 11:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 11:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 14:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:19 (seventeen years ago) link
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 15:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:16 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:21 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 16:25 (seventeen years ago) link
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 17:09 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 17:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 17:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 19:16 (seventeen years ago) link
― energy flash gordon, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 11:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 21 March 2007 11:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― energy flash gordon, Thursday, 22 March 2007 07:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stewart Osborne, Thursday, 22 March 2007 09:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Thursday, 22 March 2007 09:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stewart Osborne, Thursday, 22 March 2007 09:42 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 22 March 2007 09:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 22 March 2007 09:57 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 22 March 2007 10:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Thursday, 22 March 2007 10:04 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 22 March 2007 10:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Thursday, 22 March 2007 10:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stewart Osborne, Thursday, 22 March 2007 11:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Stewart Osborne, Thursday, 22 March 2007 11:45 (seventeen years ago) link
― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 22 March 2007 12:26 (seventeen years ago) link
― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 22 March 2007 12:38 (seventeen years ago) link
― Mark G, Thursday, 22 March 2007 12:44 (seventeen years ago) link
GIANT STEPS IS THE GREATEST INDIE GUITAR RECORD EVER EVER EVER RIGHT
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 19:51 (sixteen years ago) link
Uh.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 19:53 (sixteen years ago) link
I am drinking alone; ignore me.
― Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 19:56 (sixteen years ago) link
I DO think this is a fucking awesome, awesome, remarkable record, however.
it is
― the next grozart, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 22:42 (sixteen years ago) link
It's good.
― teflon monkey, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 22:49 (sixteen years ago) link
its allright. I'm rarely in the mood for it.
― Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 22:52 (sixteen years ago) link
I feel the same pretty much. I didn't think it was great initially, thought it was great for a period, stopped listening to it after that period and still haven't really recovered.
― teflon monkey, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 00:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Giant Steps is a pretty epic album. And I DON'T OWN IT, AM I INSANE. I havent heard it in something like 12 years, good god. I have to rectify this asap.
― Trayce, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 01:37 (sixteen years ago) link
Wasnt Martin having a breakdown/alcohol problem when they wrote this album? I seem to recall at least one track being really desperate and bleak.
― Trayce, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 01:40 (sixteen years ago) link
About four or five amazing songs on it (Lazurus, Wish I Was Skinny, Barney, White Noise). The rest of it can sound good if you're in the mood or are the right age. Especially good when you're around the college age. A bit like Galaxie 500 in that respect.
― Cunga, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 01:42 (sixteen years ago) link
This is my default position re: knows-fuck-all
― voice of truth, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 02:02 (sixteen years ago) link
yes, one of the best albums of the 90's, it was their White Album.
anyways this link is a great read, especially where the fans were able to write their thought on this album. when it came out it was just so epic, adventurous and monstrous, it seem like the shoegazer scene, as it was called, was going to take over music. no other band outside MBV's Loveless was able to match what the Boos did but it was Oasis and Blur who broke out instead.
http://www.booradleys.co.uk/giantsteps/
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 02:51 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.booradleys.co.uk/giantsteps/fans.html
See if you can recognise some names on here!
― Mark G, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 07:57 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.booradleys.co.uk/giantsteps/fans.htm
or maybe even here instead.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 07:58 (sixteen years ago) link
OH FFS!!
This one. And this one is guanarteed.
http://www.booradleys.co.uk/giant_steps/fans.htm
― Mark G, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 07:59 (sixteen years ago) link
No argument here. Wonderful record. I note above that 6 years ago I said C'mon Kids was their best but to be honest I don't know what I was thinking. Giant Steps is so much better.
It was Select's album of the year which I seem to remember is why I bought it
― cheasyweasel, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 09:09 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Boo-Radleys/dp/B000PHX0VO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/202-1855647-9383050?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1181125138&sr=8-2
When did that squeeze out? Well, 7th May, obviously, but... Has anyone got it? is it the 12" version of Lazarus? What an odd tracklisting.
― Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 10:22 (sixteen years ago) link
xpost- me too (about buying it) only "I didn't think it was great initially, thought it was great for a period, stopped listening to it after that period and still haven't really recoveredsold it"... also me too.
I remember a LOT of filler but it is/was a strong record. I suspect it's that I didn't find most of the songs/vocals very much to shout about in the end that led me to not caring...
― fandango, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 10:33 (sixteen years ago) link
It looks nicer than that 2cd collection.
Which started off being "Wake up boo: The Best of" but M.Carr stopped it, so the record company said "OK, you pick. but it has to have "Wake Up Boo, Lazarus, etc, etc, etc," until there was only about four tracks to pick from.
Anf the 'unreleased' tracks, ah hey I had the "Kingsize" single promo with them on anyway.
4am conversation? That's an odd choice.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 10:34 (sixteen years ago) link
I think I might marginally prefer 'C'mon Kids' to 'Giant Steps'.
― Just got offed, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 11:15 (sixteen years ago) link
not sure about that new best of... what the fuck?
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 13:31 (sixteen years ago) link
'I've Lost The Reason' and 'Get On The Bus' are possibly my favourite two Boo Radleys songs, so their inclusion is very welcome. Underappreciated masterpieces both.
― Just got offed, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 13:52 (sixteen years ago) link
if there's something that annoyed me about the last two albums was that they were way too preachy for my liking. "Colours For The Blind", that millennium song, "Heaven's At the Bottom Of This Glass".
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 22:55 (sixteen years ago) link
WTF? and don't know any answers to those questions.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51v0G4LGP0L._SS500_.jpg
beautiful cover but has nothing to do with the band. found this on Martin's web site, as he was answering the question of why nothing from Everything's Alright Forever or Kingsize made it on to this comp.
"Eaf wasn't anything to do with sony and i can only guess that they have forgotten about Kingsize.
I won't be buying it.
Mx"
― Bee OK, Thursday, 7 June 2007 05:01 (sixteen years ago) link
Haha, the sleevenotes to this new best of quote me (but without naming me, the cheeky gits).
― Scik Mouthy, Thursday, 7 June 2007 17:21 (sixteen years ago) link
haha what's the quote?
― Cunga, Thursday, 7 June 2007 17:49 (sixteen years ago) link
It reads, "GIANT STEPS IS THE GREATEST INDIE GUITAR RECORD EVER EVER EVER RIGHT."
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 7 June 2007 17:54 (sixteen years ago) link
Of Lazarus, "a big pop tune halfway between Dinosaur Jr. and The Beach Boys slapped in the middle of a great big dub instrumental" taken from http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-boo-radleys/find-the-way-out.htm
― Scik Mouthy, Thursday, 7 June 2007 18:03 (sixteen years ago) link
I've barely listened to anything else for the last 24 hours.
― Scik Mouthy, Friday, 8 June 2007 15:21 (sixteen years ago) link
How come no one's ever mentioned Learning To Walk?
Jack Rabid wrote, "Though it's just a collection of their first three EPs dating back to '90/'91 (plus two unreleased covers), Learning to Walk is actually the best LP released by this great Liverpool band, even better than Giant Steps... Learning to Walk sounds like an LP, not a collection, and if we regard it as three sessions in one, it is the Boo Radleys' real second LP, and their masterpiece, even without the terrific 1991 Peel Session versions of Love's "Alone Again Or," and New Order's "True Faith" (retitled "Boo Faith," naturally) tacked on for extra value. With all three EPs out of print, Learning to Walk is even more valuable. Do not miss."
― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 07:40 (sixteen years ago) link
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
nah.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 07:46 (sixteen years ago) link
it's pretty good. i especially like "Foster's Van".
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 12:17 (sixteen years ago) link
I said this on the poll thread the other week: The two EPs in 1991 between the first and second album sound better-produced, but still essentially go for that mixture of extreme guitar noise and sweet singing. That wasn’t a problem for me as that was exactly what I liked back then. I love Naomi (off Every Heaven) and Everybird, Sometime Soon She Said and Foster’s Van (off Boo Up). I think these are all on Learning To Walk, but I’m not voting for that because it’s not a real album.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 13:58 (sixteen years ago) link
What is with the latest Boo Radleys revival/craze on ILM? It's not as if more than 5 people ever gave a fuck about them before and now there's a thread being revived every couple of days (I'm not complaining).
― the next grozart, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 14:26 (sixteen years ago) link
The new compilation put them back on my radar. I never could get into Wake Up and am wondering if I should try Giant Steps or the remastered two CD comp that came out two years ago.
― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 14:46 (sixteen years ago) link
The remastering on that comp is not good, in my opinion. I played Lazarus off that and the remixes EP from 1994 back-to-back the other day and the bass was doing all sorts of unpleasant things on the remaster.
― Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:31 (sixteen years ago) link
I own a ridiculous amount of "Lazarus" e.p's, all different.
From the original issue CD, the promo with the 7" version added, through 3 different USA columbia promos and normal ones, to the UK reissue and so on.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I have the original 12" EP and the double-CD remixes thing.
― Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:35 (sixteen years ago) link
I saw the video one saturday morning, Chart show, went out and got it that day.
ahhh screen goez all wobbly....
― Mark G, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 15:36 (sixteen years ago) link
great band but really their masterpiece is Giant Steps even if i personally love one of their other album more
we had this just the other day F'n'B:
ILM POLL: Say there, what about Boo Radleys?
where i wrote:
my order would be:
1. Kingsize - this album has had a huge impact on my life, especially at the time. i have, at times, felt like Martin was writing out my life on this album. skip "Free Huey" and you have a remarkable album. also from Kingsize is one of those perfect three minutes in pop music with the song "Put Your Arms Around Me and Tell Me Everything's Going to Be OK."
2. Giant Steps - they did just about everything they could do with this album and made a classic. i still feel like this is the White Album of the 90's.
3. Learning To Walk - the third best shoegazer album ever. it, however, is just a collection of three brilliant singles. 12 songs total from the three singles with a couple of just OK covers thrown in.
4. C'Mon Kids - the guitars were back and were louder than ever. also contains their best song "Bullfrog Green."
5. Wake Up! - their stab at being commercial and made a accessible album expect for the lyrics. might be the boo's most honest work.
6. Everything's Alright Forever - this album simply doesn't have enough money behind it. great beginning but the heights were barely being reveled.
as far as the remastered is concerned, it's actually not a bad place to start because it gives you all their stages as each album is very different. with an extra bonus of a few b-sides thrown in for good measure. the b-side is where they have some incredible stuff (23 in all) and they need to come out on a comp. at some point.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 19:16 (sixteen years ago) link
*it's 23 singles in all well past 23 songs.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 19:21 (sixteen years ago) link
i'd definitely recommend "find the way out" as a primer going by the track selection.
― the next grozart, Thursday, 28 June 2007 01:17 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/cherryred/artists/booradleys.php
Kingsizecdmred467
PREORDER NOW! Released on 20/09/ 2010. The Boo Radleys are - for reasons that are hard to understand - a greatly underrated band. Formed in 1988 in Merseyside and their own way through the changeable music scene of the 90 s leaving many classic albums and singles and a couple of massive hits. Kingsize was the bands sixth and final album they split on its release not helping its sales. It is a great album and well worth discovering twelve years on. It is presented here with bonus tracks and an exclusive booklet.
1. Blue Room In Archway 2. The Old News Stand In Hamilton Square 3. Free Huey4. Monuments For A Dead Century 5. Heaven’s At The Bottom Of This Glass 6. Kingsize 7. High As Monkeys 8. Eurostar 9. Adieu Clo Clo 10. Jimmy Webb Is God 11. She Is Everywhere12. Comb Your Hair 13. Song From The Blueroom 14. The Future Is Now Bonus15. Spanish Lizards 16. Everything Falls Away 17. In A Galaxy Far, Far Away
― Bee OK, Sunday, 22 August 2010 00:28 (thirteen years ago) link
C’Mon Kidscdbred468
PREORDER NOW! Released on 20/09/10. The Boo Radleys are - for reasons that are hard to understand - a greatly underrated band. Formed in 1988 in Merseyside and their own way through the changeable music scene of the 90 s leaving many classic albums and singles and a couple of massive hits. C'mon Kids is the fifth Boo s album although a departure from hit album Wake Up! it is still packed with classic pop based songs wrapped in wonderful soundscapes. The album is presented here as an enhanced double CD, positively packed with bonus tracks and a luxury booklet
Disc One:1. C'Mon Kids 2. Meltinsworm3. Melodies For The Deaf (Colours For The Blind)4. Get On The Bus 5. Everythings Is Sorrow6. Bullfrog Green7. What’s In The Box? (See Whatcha Got)8. Four Saints 9. New Brighton Promenade10. Fortunate Ons 11. Shelter12. Ride The Tiger13. One Last Hurrah
Disc Two Bonustracks:1. Bloke In A Dress 2. Flakes 3. What’s In The Box (Krisneedsmix) 4. Atlantic 5. The Absent Boy 6. Annie And Marnie 7. Spion Kop 8. To Beautiful 9. Bullfrog Green (Ultra Livingmix) 10. Nothing To Do But Scare Myself 11. From The Bech At Belvidere (Ultramarine) 12. Fourtunate Sons (Greg Hunter Remix) 13. Vote You 14. A Part I Know So Well15. Everything Is Sorrow (Grantby Mix) 16. Roadie 17. Safe At Home 18. C'Mon Kids (Mekon Mix)
― Bee OK, Sunday, 22 August 2010 00:38 (thirteen years ago) link
i'm upset at the Kingsize reissue. first, they don't have "Put Your Arms Around Me and Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK." (that is the song i got my username from.) not only that but the song is three minutes of pop bliss but has never been released in the UK. this is the perfect time for that. they could have also added "Superintendent," "Tomorrow," "Last Night I Dreamt Of God" and their excellent Bob Dylan cover of "One Of Us Must Know."
― Bee OK, Sunday, 22 August 2010 00:48 (thirteen years ago) link
Could have released a blank CDR, wd have contained the same number of tunes.
― 'ray Clamence (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 22 August 2010 00:51 (thirteen years ago) link
that makes no sense
― Bee OK, Sunday, 22 August 2010 01:30 (thirteen years ago) link
i'm upset at the Kingsize reissue. first, they don't have "Put Your Arms Around Me and Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK." (that is the song i got my username from.)
Where where these two songs available? I have the three others you mentioned as I found the promo single for Kingsize a long time ago. The C'mon Kids reissue looks good, Roadie is one of my favourite songs they did.
― Kitchen Person, Sunday, 22 August 2010 01:52 (thirteen years ago) link
"Put Your Arms Around Me and Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK." is one song. it was released on the US edition of Kingsize but wasn't on the Creation Records edition.
― Bee OK, Sunday, 22 August 2010 20:02 (thirteen years ago) link
Yes, and the Australian version. And the UK LP version, I believe.
Didn't one of them have a 'rewindie' track?
― Mark G, Monday, 23 August 2010 08:26 (thirteen years ago) link
kingsize has a short pre-track 1 track called 'tranquillo'
put your arms... isn't on my kingsize cd (which is an aus pressing)
― shorten curlies (electricsound), Monday, 23 August 2010 08:31 (thirteen years ago) link
Delighted to see these albums are getting a reissue, disappointed 'Kingsize' won't be gathering everything together from that era. If not now, then surely never.
'Everything Falls Away' is great though.
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 03:45 (thirteen years ago) link
I think I need to reacquaint myself with C'mon Kids.
― Sun Tea (Pillbox), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 04:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah, I think they are missing "XFM is ace" and "There she goes"
― Mark G, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 08:11 (thirteen years ago) link
The C'Mon Kids one looks absolutely essential. Kingsize has been shortchanged and Bee OK is OTM about Put Your Arms Around Me.
― village idiot (dog latin), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 09:34 (thirteen years ago) link
The only thing the C'mon Kids reissue is missing is the bonus 7" that came with some versions of the album on vinyl. I've never actually heard Skywalker or French Canadian Bean Soup, can anyone tell me if those songs are worth hunting down?
― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:16 (thirteen years ago) link
Skywalker was released for the Euro 96 cup IIRC. It's kind of dancey - sort of like Sunfly II from their early days. French Canadian Bean Soup features someone reciting a passage from the Illuminatus! trilogy with a kind of lolloping backing chorus. In typical Boo Radleys b-side fashion, they're rather charming and experimental although "essential" isn't necessarily the word.
― village idiot (dog latin), Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:40 (thirteen years ago) link
I think I can probably live without those then, thanks for the heads up.
I'm definitely going to be hunting down Put Your Arms Around Me, the thought of hearing a new Boo Radleys song after all this time is really exciting.
― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Kingsize and C’Mon Kids have come out today.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 22 September 2010 01:05 (thirteen years ago) link
So, "Kingsize" definitely doesn't have the extra tracks from the unreleased single?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 22 September 2010 10:16 (thirteen years ago) link
I!L!M! (calling all)
please to post boo radleys videos so i may see the light. i mean i want to believe....
― And the piano, it sounds like a carnivore (contenderizer), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 08:34 (twelve years ago) link
Good man.
Alas, there's no video online for Blues For George Michael.
Thing is, while the Boos did release excellent singles, their choices of A-sides always tended towards the straight-up pop side of their work. It was the b-sides where they got truly weird.
I would say get hold of Giant Steps (the album). There's a track on there called 'Lazarus' which is one of my all time favourite singles by any band. There are two versions of that song - one which has an extended ambient-dub intro, and one without. I'm at work so I can't vouch for which one is posted here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1IRy5AfPmQ
But if you want a top ten, here's mine:
Blues For George MichaelLazarusButterfly McQueenJoelFour SaintsFosters VanSpaniardLazy DayAnnie & MarnieFriendship Song
Really, there's a lot of different sides to their work throughout the 90s - from their early incarnation as a shoegaze band, through dubbed out psychedelia, classic horn-driven Britpop, folky Dylanesque stuff, bizarre studio experiments with tape loops, and even a few forays into dance and electronica.
There's an excellent compilation from a few years back that collects a nice sampling of all these styles - a's, b's and album tracks.
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 08:48 (twelve years ago) link
sound quality in that tube is horrid, unfortunately (and it's the version w/out the dub intro), but i'll check giant steps, which i tried in the mid 90s and didn't quite get, and the 2CD comp
― And the piano, it sounds like a carnivore (contenderizer), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 09:08 (twelve years ago) link
Cool. TBH I'm a bit wary of trying to convert people to the cause so log after the fact. To a British teenager growing up in the '90s, they were revelatory pop experimenters, dabbling with a range of styles and emotions, singing about their lives - subjects ranging from love, depression, heartbreak, isolation, drink and drug culture, politics, nostalgia etc... But I don't know how that would hold up to a newcomer in 2011. I can actually imagine something like the earlier shoegaze material working better on today's ears than the eclectic/Britpop stuff which I fear might have aged badly.
A couple of tracks I forgot to mention:
From The Bench At Belvedere - Maybe the best pure-Britpop song of all time? A non-album single that's just a sweet Merseybeat song about growing up in Merseyside and feeling a little misty-eyed.
"Rodney King (Song For Lenny Bruce)" - a Cocteau Twins/MBV-esque dance-pop number that segues straight in after the equally brilliant Butterfly McQueen
"The Old Newsstand At Hamilton Square" - a later track that should have been a single. Similar lyrical theme to Belvedere, but with a slinky spy-theme soundtrack.
"Put Your Arms Around Me And Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK" - a bit of an obscure one, as it came out on the back of one of their final singles (possibly an unreleased single, can't remember). A sweet Dylanesque mid-tempo ballad that felt like a fond farewell from the band. It sounds to me like a proper goodbye and should've been included on their last album really.
Find The Way Out is the name of the compilation you need.
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 09:34 (twelve years ago) link
Some really great choices there Dog Latin.
I always thought From the Bench at Belvedere was their most underrated song, such a beautiful and simple melody. I probably like it more than anything on the Wake Up album.
The Old Newsstand At Hamilton Square is another good call. I was just listening to that album the other day thinking they could have picked so many other songs as the lead single instead of Free Huey. Eurostar, Comb Your Hair or kingsize would have all been better choices. I always hated Free Huey and blamed it for the failure of that album.
I never knew Put Your Arms Around Me And Tell Me Everything's Going To Be OK existed until last year. I found a cheap American version of Kingsize that has it placed after Eurostar. Another song that could have been a great single.
A few other tracks I would add as hidden classics.
Boo Forever - This was a song on the Boo Forever ep which had Does This Hurt as the lead track. I much prefer this to anything on Everything's Alright Forever. It has such a sad feel to it, Sice's vocals sound like he's just crushed.
Swansong - This is my favourite song on the Learning to Walk compilation. Like Boo Forever it's a really sad song with amazing guitars all over it. I really like that the verse rips off Fade to Grey by Visage.
http://youtu.be/aJ0q7R_ZXPs
Eurostar - I still think this could have been a bigger hit than Wake Up Boo.
http://youtu.be/bA-ZkrGsxq8
Twinside - Obviously they put out the more commercial songs as the singles but the songs that make Wake up a really good album are ones like this, Stuck On Amber and Reaching Out From Here. I never get tired of the way he sings "I can't make up my mind" where he sounds like he's really trying hard to reach those high notes. Even if you hate Wake Up Boo I'd say there's plenty to love on this album.
Wow there really aren't enough Boo Radleys songs on Youtube.
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 11:16 (twelve years ago) link
"I want a Rainbow Nation" is also an obscure one, it came out as a creation promo (mail order)
― Mark G, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 11:18 (twelve years ago) link
Totally agreed. It's like a dance-y Oasis.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 17:37 (twelve years ago) link
http://gawker.com/5810107/
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 22:38 (twelve years ago) link
Aye he's gone a wee bit Twitter crazy, has Martin Carr.
Anyone care to recommend some Bravecaptain?
― Colin Allstations (PaulTMA), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 22:43 (twelve years ago) link
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 22:43 (twelve years ago) link
I liked "Raining Stones", um..
― Mark G, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 22:44 (twelve years ago) link
I've never enjoyed anything I've ever heard by Brave Captain. Carr's been working on some sort of other project called Black Serpent Choir, which I've yet to check out.
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 22:45 (twelve years ago) link
Brave Captain :: Little Sailor = I get it now!
His work as Brave Captain was very patchy but there are some gems on some of the albums.
The Fingertip Saint Sessions Vol. 1 - Six track mini album which starts with the lovely Raining Stones but is then followed by him just messing around in the studio producing nothing of interest for five tracks.
Go With Yourself (Fingertip Saint Sessions Vol 2) - See above except this time there are nine songs and the good one is the last track.
Corporation Man- Great one off single that is still a good song despite containing the lyrics "I don't wanna lecture, but don't let him get ya" Like the good songs on the first two albums this is just like the Boo Radleys in their simple pop mode.
Advertisments For Myself - Actually a great album that features some pure Boo pop, some Super Furry Animals style songs and lots of Aphex Twin like interludes, it's a lot better than that sounds.
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace - Can't actually remember anything about this, sad to say I gave up on him after this.
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 23:24 (twelve years ago) link
I feel a bit guilts for not checking these out, but somehow I really think I'd be wasting my time. I get the odd mailout from Carr telling people about his new projects and how to get hold of them and it's a real insight into the life of a "starving artist". I'm sure he gets a few royalties here and there, but his current work can't be bringing in too much.
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Thursday, 9 June 2011 10:15 (twelve years ago) link
I'm sure "Wake Up", alone, pays the mortgage and more on a yearly basis.
― Mark G, Thursday, 9 June 2011 10:24 (twelve years ago) link
Recent tweet referencing Carr's recent exposure thanks to live tweeting his wife's homebirth:
"Sonny is trying to cram his pyjama top into his foreskin. Your move, media."
― The Boy Who Can Go Inside The TV (dog latin), Thursday, 9 June 2011 10:33 (twelve years ago) link
His work as Brave Captain was very patchy but there are some gems on some of the albums.The Fingertip Saint Sessions Vol. 1 - Six track mini album which starts with the lovely Raining Stones but is then followed by him just messing around in the studio producing nothing of interest for five tracks.Go With Yourself (Fingertip Saint Sessions Vol 2) - See above except this time there are nine songs and the good one is the last track.Corporation Man- Great one off single that is still a good song despite containing the lyrics "I don't wanna lecture, but don't let him get ya" Like the good songs on the first two albums this is just like the Boo Radleys in their simple pop mode.Advertisments For Myself - Actually a great album that features some pure Boo pop, some Super Furry Animals style songs and lots of Aphex Twin like interludes, it's a lot better than that sounds. All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace - Can't actually remember anything about this, sad to say I gave up on him after this. --Kitchen Person
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace - Can't actually remember anything about this, sad to say I gave up on him after this. --Kitchen Person
I think I agree w all of this. Wrote a positive review of AfM for Stylus. BC isn't lifechanging or anything but it is a little underrated.
― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 11 June 2011 20:13 (twelve years ago) link
Rock critics habitually throw around references to 70s dub, Brian Wilson and Scott Walker like bullets at a high-school massacre. It's OK, they don't really mean it. These are just the kind of artists they would prefer to be writing about, as opposed to the ones that they have to write about. Enter the Boo Radleys. 'Sharing the bill' means we take it in turns to headline. Tonight, the Boos go on last.Martin Carr is the Boo Radleys' resident 'genius'. He is the lucky recipient of the kind of hyperbolic prose I was getting nine months earlier. His band are currently touring an abomination of an album called Giant Steps. It features all the predictable TSB Rock School dub and inept approximations of Miles Davis. In two years' time the Boo Radleys will do the unthinkable and make a record that is actually worse than Giant Steps. A record that even King Dunce Alan McGee (their label boss) will disown. The record is called Wake Up Boo: three words guaranteed to induce nausea and a cold sweat, followed by the kind of killing spree that will forever be preceed by the phrase 'tragic events'.
Martin Carr is the Boo Radleys' resident 'genius'. He is the lucky recipient of the kind of hyperbolic prose I was getting nine months earlier. His band are currently touring an abomination of an album called Giant Steps. It features all the predictable TSB Rock School dub and inept approximations of Miles Davis. In two years' time the Boo Radleys will do the unthinkable and make a record that is actually worse than Giant Steps. A record that even King Dunce Alan McGee (their label boss) will disown. The record is called Wake Up Boo: three words guaranteed to induce nausea and a cold sweat, followed by the kind of killing spree that will forever be preceed by the phrase 'tragic events'.
http://i.imgur.com/tNesyca.jpg
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 16:54 (eleven years ago) link
who the fuck listens to the auteurs anyway? their best release was completely remixed by µ-ziq
― dog latin, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 20:14 (eleven years ago) link
After Murder Park any day over Giant Steps.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 20:32 (eleven years ago) link
Both are good albums. It amazes me what an enormous bore Haines has become. Tragic really.
― everything, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 21:02 (eleven years ago) link
I was actually surprised he picked on Boo Radleys of all things in Bad Vibes. He gets into it even worse a couple paragraphs later, detailing their wrestling matches before shows. It's not a boring book by any means. I loved it.
I like the Boo Radleys. Just read his book recently and it popped up in my head.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 21:21 (eleven years ago) link
Bear in mind that his introduction to the book, he sort-of apologises in advance for what was 'to come', being what he felt at the time.
He hints that the Boos got the praise that he himself was used to receiving.
I dunno, I don't doubt he doesn't like them, but I also doubt he hates them...
― Mark G, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:32 (eleven years ago) link
detailing their wrestling matches before shows
Wait, luchador-style or what?
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:33 (eleven years ago) link
El Siceto
being what he felt at the time
So when he was on tour with the Boo Radleys in 1993 he was feeling that two decades later he would hate their 1996 record and to prove it, here's what Alan McGee said in 2001.
― everything, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:38 (eleven years ago) link
I take the stairs to our shared dressing room to find three bodies writhing in the doorway. I accidentally tread on some hair and a Scouser squeals. The hair and squeal belong to a Boo Radley, engaging in their customary roughhousing. This lot seems to be pathologically incapable of setting foot outside their windowless tour bus without breaking into a bout of rough and tumble with one another. The bodies pick themselves up from the deck.'Awlright', mate? an exaggerated Mersey accent enquires, leering toward me. The implication seems to be of the Do you want some? variety? Hmmmm, the backstage drinks rider is already seriously depleted. Are you really trying to menace me? I wonder. I hold out my hand and offer my finest limp-wristed handshake and my most sickly simpering smile. The north. The South. And never the twain shall meet. All friends then.
'Awlright', mate? an exaggerated Mersey accent enquires, leering toward me. The implication seems to be of the Do you want some? variety? Hmmmm, the backstage drinks rider is already seriously depleted. Are you really trying to menace me? I wonder. I hold out my hand and offer my finest limp-wristed handshake and my most sickly simpering smile. The north. The South. And never the twain shall meet. All friends then.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:41 (eleven years ago) link
xpost -- Luke Haines, timelord.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:46 (eleven years ago) link
They're from WALLASEY, not Cantril Farm or Croxteth. My God, we're weak sauce as far as Scousers go.
― Michael Jones, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:50 (eleven years ago) link
xxp - wkiw Boos!
― rocky dennis horror show (Pillbox), Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:51 (eleven years ago) link
Funny that should be posted because it had just crossed my mind that class was behind it. I've noticed that English people often have an almost comical disregard towards people from Merseyside.
― everything, Wednesday, 6 February 2013 23:54 (eleven years ago) link
ALAN McGEE has launched a stinging attack on ex-CREATION RECORDS band THE BOO RADLEYS, declaring their most commercially successful single 'WAKE UP BOO!' an "atrocity exhibition". McGee has written a review of David Cavanagh's book on the history of Creation Records, 'My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize' on the Poptones website www.poptones.co.uk.In it McGee declares Cavanagh's work "unquestionably the dullest book I have ever read", "tedious" and "humourless", before claiming it captures "none of the spirit" of Creation Records. However, his most venomous attack is saved for ex-Boo Radleys guitarist and songwriter Martin Carr. Apparently unhappy at their musical output following the most successful album of their career, 'Wake Up!', he writes: "For the record, Martin, I would have dropped you in 1995 after the atrocity exhibition that was 'Wake Up Boo!' but for (Creation co-founder) Dick Green's infatuation with you. Creation was never about touring the US in Bon Jovi's tour bus... for me Creation was touring Germany and Holland with the Mary Chain in a transit van." Elsewhere in the review McGee accuses the Boo Radleys of costing Creation "about a million pounds", before saying "you were never a part of it. For me you never proved it. Sorry, mate." NME.COM contacted a representative for Martin Carr for comment, but none was immediately forthcoming.Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/brave-captain/6277#exRiUHyIT9fBrKWm.99
McGee has written a review of David Cavanagh's book on the history of Creation Records, 'My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize' on the Poptones website www.poptones.co.uk.In it McGee declares Cavanagh's work "unquestionably the dullest book I have ever read", "tedious" and "humourless", before claiming it captures "none of the spirit" of Creation Records.
However, his most venomous attack is saved for ex-Boo Radleys guitarist and songwriter Martin Carr. Apparently unhappy at their musical output following the most successful album of their career, 'Wake Up!', he writes: "For the record, Martin, I would have dropped you in 1995 after the atrocity exhibition that was 'Wake Up Boo!' but for (Creation co-founder) Dick Green's infatuation with you. Creation was never about touring the US in Bon Jovi's tour bus... for me Creation was touring Germany and Holland with the Mary Chain in a transit van."
Elsewhere in the review McGee accuses the Boo Radleys of costing Creation "about a million pounds", before saying "you were never a part of it. For me you never proved it. Sorry, mate."
NME.COM contacted a representative for Martin Carr for comment, but none was immediately forthcoming.Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/brave-captain/6277#exRiUHyIT9fBrKWm.99
What a jerk.
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 7 February 2013 03:55 (eleven years ago) link
Carr calls him on it here in 2009.
Carr: "You once described ‘Wake Up Boo’ as an ‘Atrocity Exhibition’ which, as I’m sure readers will know, was the title of a J.G Ballard novel.He’s dead now and, let’s be honest, you have to shoulder some of the blame for that. What other records (records, not bands) that came out on Creation would you rather have come out on another label, if at all?"
McGee: "Loveless Isn’t Anything and Soon I hate mbv I wish I had never signed them tuneless garbage."
― everything, Thursday, 7 February 2013 04:00 (eleven years ago) link
In other words...don't take it too seriously folks (and Luke Haines).
― everything, Thursday, 7 February 2013 04:02 (eleven years ago) link
McGee is a dick, but Wake Up is shit.
― emil.y, Thursday, 7 February 2013 04:08 (eleven years ago) link
lol @ "do you think alan gives a shit what you think you dickhead, crawl back up your dog’s arsehole, what the fuck are you doing with your life apart from boring every cunt"
― djembe v (electricsound), Thursday, 7 February 2013 04:22 (eleven years ago) link
It's funny that McGee disses the Boos for not being "transit van" enough for Creation, while Haines highlights their "windowless tour bus". I'm thinking "what's the big deal with their transportation?" Is it a van or a bus? So I googled it on the off chance their was an actual photo of the Boo Radleys tour bus somewhere. Up pops Ned's report from a '93 Boo Radleys gig "outside the Roxy in their rear parking lot near their tour bus or van."
The mystery deepens.
― everything, Thursday, 7 February 2013 04:46 (eleven years ago) link
― emil.y, Thursday, February 7, 2013 4:08 AM (12 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
It's my least favourite Boos album, but I still think it's got a couple of good tracks on it: 'Joel', 'Martin, Doom! It's 7 O'Clock'... and I like 'Reaching Out From Here', too.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Thursday, 7 February 2013 16:54 (eleven years ago) link
It's funny that McGee disses the Boos for not being "transit van" enough for Creation, while Haines highlights their "windowless tour bus"...
― everything, Thursday, February 7, 2013 4:46 AM (12 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
It's funny that McGee is laying into the Boo Radleys for this. I wonder if he'd say that Oasis, the act that made him the most money, weren't "transit van" enough for Creation either.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Thursday, 7 February 2013 16:57 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, it doesn't make that much sense.
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 7 February 2013 19:38 (eleven years ago) link
Wake Up is amazing fwiw. A totally misunderstood record base on the misunderstood irony behind the lead single.
― dog latin, Thursday, 7 February 2013 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
While I'd agree that a lot of people misunderstood the band in general because of 'Wake Up Boo!', I don't think tracks like 'It's Lulu' and 'Find The Answer Within' do them any favours either.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Thursday, 7 February 2013 19:53 (eleven years ago) link
It's Lulu is terrible. I like Find The Answer Within and the backwards messages etc
― dog latin, Thursday, 7 February 2013 19:54 (eleven years ago) link
I like abt half of Wake Up, esp Joel
― rocky dennis horror show (Pillbox), Thursday, 7 February 2013 20:17 (eleven years ago) link
that luke haines stuff about the boo radleys is relatively affectionate. you should hear what he has to say about the verve. and suede.
― cw, Thursday, 7 February 2013 20:42 (eleven years ago) link
I've always found this band to lack that extra special charm...I think it's the vocals. They don't really have much character, do they?
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 7 February 2013 23:23 (eleven years ago) link
idk the boyishness of the vocals well suits the wide-eyed pocket-adventure quality of much of the music
― imago, Thursday, 7 February 2013 23:25 (eleven years ago) link
the cover of Giant Steps is absolutely horrible
― Poliopolice, Thursday, 7 February 2013 23:56 (eleven years ago) link
Joel is a beautiful song the string arrangements and then it goes full on Revolver by the end
― dog latin, Friday, 8 February 2013 00:21 (eleven years ago) link
― imago, Thursday, February 7, 2013 11:25 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I quite like it how, on things like 'Run My Way Runway', Sice is like, this tiny voice in the middle of chaos. His small voice actually does the trick of making the music seem bigger.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 8 February 2013 00:46 (eleven years ago) link
OTM. The one thing his voice just doesn't suit are brash pop numbers - I never liked or saw the point in It's Lulu, C'mon Kids, Free Huey etc...
― dog latin, Friday, 8 February 2013 11:29 (eleven years ago) link
I don't mind his brash voice so much on 'What's In The Box? (See Whatcha Got)', but I do get what you mean!
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 8 February 2013 15:49 (eleven years ago) link
Maybe it's because I'm not a super fan and I have a place in my heart for pretty cheesy pop songs, but I don't get why something like "It's Lulu" stands out as a blatantly bad song. I never thought it was that bad in the scheme of things...not that I've listened to it in years.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 8 February 2013 16:00 (eleven years ago) link
I like the horns.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 8 February 2013 16:01 (eleven years ago) link
It's just such a drag. The whole premise behind the song and the lyrics are weak and condescending. It's brash in a horrible alarm clock kind of way. It sticks out from the rest of the album like a sore thumb. Just sounds like Carr was asked to do another Wake Up Boo and tossed this off in about five minutes.
― dog latin, Friday, 8 February 2013 16:05 (eleven years ago) link
'It's Lulu' might have been one of the first songs written for Wake Up!, actually... I remember reading that Martin wrote it while the band were mixing Giant Steps. Apparently he tried to write it in the style of the Buzzcocks.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 8 February 2013 16:09 (eleven years ago) link
I read an interview where he says he hates it, so I guess I'm just not listening to it with very critical ears. I always wonder how artists can hate their own songs.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 8 February 2013 16:12 (eleven years ago) link
When artists 'give-in' to their baser instincts, (ta, Eno!) and then live to regret it/
― Mark G, Friday, 8 February 2013 16:30 (eleven years ago) link
It's very 1995 though, isn't it? I get the same feeling from it as I do whenever I listen to Grand Prix, it always reminds me of that specific year. I don't really get the same feeling of "this sounds like a specific year" whenever I listen to C'mon Kids.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Friday, 8 February 2013 16:46 (eleven years ago) link
squeaky brass was a britpop trait. brass seems to be making a bit of a comeback, but it's deeper and lower. imo anyway.
― dog latin, Friday, 8 February 2013 17:41 (eleven years ago) link
btw, i'm going to do an artist poll for the Boo Radleys. it will come up sometime in the next five year.
Thread for coordinating the order and timing of ILM ballot polls
61. Iggy Pop, incl. Stooges - flopson62. Boo Radleys - Bee OK63. XTC - Shakey Mo Collier
― Bee OK, Saturday, 9 February 2013 03:26 (eleven years ago) link
that is a joke, hopefully it won't be in five years.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 9 February 2013 03:34 (eleven years ago) link
Well, the poll/ballots have really slowed down lately
― Mark G, Saturday, 9 February 2013 08:51 (eleven years ago) link
Looking forward to it. I think a boo Radleys poll was what started the idea of that coordination thread.
― dog latin, Saturday, 9 February 2013 11:27 (eleven years ago) link
Yep, will undoubtedly be participating in it... and then the XTC poll afterwards!!
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Saturday, 9 February 2013 18:35 (eleven years ago) link
well it does stop every time in late December for the end of the year stuff. it does gets going again about now.
i'm going to do New Order at 36, starting to feel the pressure...
― Bee OK, Sunday, 10 February 2013 01:02 (eleven years ago) link
"Giant Steps" is mostly a classic. Wake Up is hit or miss. Their talent didnt always match their Mcacartney-like ambitions to dabble in all genres but even the Boos failures had their charm.
― Cunga, Sunday, 10 February 2013 01:49 (eleven years ago) link
Re. the hit and miss aspect of the Boos (which I agree), I'd say Carr took on too much himself really. I know most bands usually have a talisman or whatever, but they had scope and ambition beyond many of their contemporaries (especially when you get to around 1995) that was...kind of realised.
― Master of Treacle, Sunday, 10 February 2013 02:53 (eleven years ago) link
they could've made artistically smaller albums that would've hit the sweet spot for this or that niche or indie ghetto, but the Boos seemed to want to make a pop record, like the kind that were common in the 60s, that could blow minds with its scope and innovation and ability to have something for everybody. Didn't obviously work, but I'm glad they tried.
― Cunga, Sunday, 10 February 2013 07:24 (eleven years ago) link
Well, "kingsize" did that, but it came too easy to MCarr and he wanted to try/ fail at more difficult things
― Mark G, Sunday, 10 February 2013 11:19 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/martin-carr-remembers-the-ecstatic-moment-john-peel-played-boo-radleys-on-the-radio-for-the-first-ti
― Bee OK, Friday, 24 October 2014 05:21 (nine years ago) link
he's playing at the lexington next week. really wish i could go but got an important band practice :-( :-(
― Shepard Toney Album (dog latin), Friday, 24 October 2014 08:48 (nine years ago) link
are we still doing a boos poll?
― Shepard Toney Album (dog latin), Friday, 24 October 2014 09:35 (nine years ago) link
Yes, it will happen probably February 2015.
― Bee OK, Friday, 24 October 2014 14:25 (nine years ago) link
'Reaching Out From Here' still does it for me after all these years.
― Welcome To (Turrican), Friday, 24 October 2014 19:31 (nine years ago) link
because of that nugget, i posted above, i dug out Find the Way Out comp today. this band is so fucking good. stuff like "The Finest Kiss," "Spaniard," "Best Lose the Fear" and "I've Lost the Reason" are all magnificent.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 25 October 2014 01:29 (nine years ago) link
can't wait for February to do this poll.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 25 October 2014 01:30 (nine years ago) link
Don't forget Fosters Van. Those early EPs have so many glorious moments.
― Shepard Toney Album (dog latin), Saturday, 25 October 2014 02:29 (nine years ago) link
― Welcome To (Turrican)
Beautiful song. Should have been the second single after Wake Up Boo.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 25 October 2014 02:43 (nine years ago) link
― Shepard Toney Album (dog latin)
Swansong is my favourite from those first three EPs. The verse is a bit too similar to Fade to Grey by Visage but it's one of those great sad songs they did so well.
― Kitchen Person, Saturday, 25 October 2014 02:46 (nine years ago) link
Don't forget Fosters Van.
I once had a chat with Martin Carr in a Camden pub circa 1996 and told him this was my favourite Boo Radleys song
― Turtleneck Work Solutions (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Sunday, 26 October 2014 08:15 (nine years ago) link
The new martin Carr album is pretty good
― afriendlypioneer, Tuesday, 28 October 2014 00:40 (nine years ago) link
Really wanted to see him play at the Lexington tomorrow but sadly have to be somewhere else. Must seek out the new one.
― Shepard Toney Album (dog latin), Tuesday, 28 October 2014 01:01 (nine years ago) link
Really love the new Martin Carr album. Went back and listened to the last one and enjoyed it too. I think I like him a little more subdued and less feedback freakout.
― brotherlovesdub, Tuesday, 28 October 2014 18:06 (nine years ago) link
did not know about Martin Carr's new album, will have to seek that out.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 29 October 2014 00:14 (nine years ago) link
Carr record doesn't sound markedly different than the Bravecaptain stuff that got killed on this board – it's just less Bacharach and glitch and more Britpop guitar-y.
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 2 November 2014 00:02 (nine years ago) link
here is a new interview with Martin Carr that happened just this month: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/martin-carr-breaks-after-boo-8373791 just bought The Breaks without hearing a song on Amazon.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 21 January 2015 06:34 (nine years ago) link
btw, The Boo Radleys poll is still on track for February of 2015, going to be fun. won't be the first one, maybe the second or third one that will happen after the EOY polls wrap up.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 21 January 2015 06:35 (nine years ago) link
Looking forward to the poll Bee. Don't think it will have quite the turnout that your Steely Dan one did but excited anyway.
― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 21 January 2015 14:49 (nine years ago) link
Well, I'll be in it, and I wasn't for SD, so call that net +2
― Mark G, Wednesday, 21 January 2015 15:26 (nine years ago) link
i'll def be voting. can't wait.
i have the breaks on vinyl. only listened to it a couple of times. the style is very mid-90s boo radleys, so while it verges on the retro, the best bits are as good as anything the band released circa wake up.
― quinoa: how's it spelt? (dog latin), Wednesday, 21 January 2015 15:45 (nine years ago) link
wow, really? now i'm really excited about getting that CD in the mail.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 21 January 2015 16:38 (nine years ago) link
the Boo Radleys poll is up next, i have only been listening to them to prepare. they are so fucking good as i feel like i have almost forgot, poll is going to be a blast.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 21 March 2015 03:46 (nine years ago) link
Martin Carr is playing at the union chapel in about 11 hours time (12 noon today).
― koogs, Saturday, 21 March 2015 03:51 (nine years ago) link
I was there! lovely show. enjoyed the medieval horror-folk duo as well.
― why dont u say something or like just die (dog latin), Saturday, 21 March 2015 19:42 (nine years ago) link
At 4am my maths is terrible.
That box she had was full of bees, bees of different sizes.
― koogs, Saturday, 21 March 2015 20:16 (nine years ago) link
What was that thing? it was the most unwieldy box shaped instrument to make such a minimal tone (like someone playing a long drone on harmonica)
― why dont u say something or like just die (dog latin), Saturday, 21 March 2015 21:54 (nine years ago) link
hi.
― Mark G, Saturday, 21 March 2015 21:55 (nine years ago) link
It was a shruti box, an Indian harmonium. Strange noise from a non electric instrument.
― koogs, Saturday, 21 March 2015 22:19 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OacT6M5CI9k
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 30 March 2017 11:40 (seven years ago) link
Lyrics are pretty cringeworthy, eh.
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 30 March 2017 15:58 (seven years ago) link
Revive sent me back to Kingsize. Still enjoy the big brassy Britpop production, clear melodies and "Choose Your Own Adventure" structures. What a way to go out.
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 30 March 2017 16:52 (seven years ago) link
for some reason i was unable to add the cd version of kingsize to the archive earlier today.my optical drive would not recognise it as a cd.
― mark e, Thursday, 30 March 2017 16:58 (seven years ago) link
oh wow, thanks for this.
i have said it many time, love, with all my heart Kingsize, it's such a great album if you remove "Free Huey."
― Bee OK, Thursday, 30 March 2017 19:36 (seven years ago) link
never did link this to this thread: Just a simple song but God I love it Embedded in me, so bittersweet I’m addicted, I’m a melancholic Sing it again, I’ll be your Poll forever: THE BOO RADLEYS - ILM artist poll #60 or new numbering #65
― Bee OK, Thursday, 30 March 2017 19:40 (seven years ago) link
rub it in bee .. would have loved to have added it to the archive today.
― mark e, Thursday, 30 March 2017 19:40 (seven years ago) link
Wake Up! is commonly viewed as their "pop" album because of the big hit single that they had from the album, but I actually think Kingsize is their "pop" album. The production on it is a lot more fuller, smoother and glossier than on previous efforts, and the songwriting (on the whole) is far more accessible, even if it retains the "room with many doors" approach on several tracks. Word has it that the record company got heavily involved in the making of Kingsize and tried to steer the band in a more commercial direction after C'mon Kids was seen to be deliberate attempt to scare the 'Wake Up Boo!' fans (which the band always denied) and this is ultimately why neither Martin or Sice have any real fond memories of making the record. Nevertheless, even with their most slickest and most accessible record to date, the idea of the Boo Radleys suddenly selling a massive truckload of records in 1998 was a laughable one. I still prefer both Wake Up! and C'mon Kids to Kingsize, although I heard Everything's Alright Forever recently and found it to be mostly awful, apart from 'Smile Fades Fast', 'Memory Babe', 'Does This Hurt?' and a couple of others.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Thursday, 30 March 2017 20:06 (seven years ago) link
The story I read was that the band turned 'Kingsize' into Creation and McGee described it as something along the lines of "not even a bunch of c-sides!", so the band were dispatched to write a single - "Free Huey". Which makes sense, given how much of a sore thumb it is on the album.
The artwork was horrible. I picked up a promo of it cheap not long after release, the plain yellow sleeve was an improvement. I'd go as far as to say 'Kingsize' is my favourite Boos album, loved it at the time.
That Pitchfork top 50 Britpop albums list sent me back to 'Giant Steps' for the first time in years.
― michaellambert, Thursday, 30 March 2017 21:15 (seven years ago) link
yeah, I got those yellow promos from MVE
hung around for that Kingsize single promo (blue) but it was worth it.
― Mark G, Thursday, 30 March 2017 21:20 (seven years ago) link
Alan McGee never understood this band. There were two types of band on Creation Records, there were the Alan McGee bands (Oasis, Primal Scream etc.) and then there were the Dick Green bands, and the Boo Radleys were definitely a Dick Green band.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Thursday, 30 March 2017 21:47 (seven years ago) link
oh but XTRMNTR is one of *those* albums right
― an uptempo Pop/Hip Hop mentality (imago), Thursday, 30 March 2017 21:50 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, I'd say so. Vanishing Point, too!
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Thursday, 30 March 2017 21:54 (seven years ago) link
Each of those Primal Scream albums destroy the Boo Radleys... and we're not even talking about 'Screamadelica' here.
― yesca, Friday, 31 March 2017 05:08 (seven years ago) link
Not even close, but the Boo Radleys speak to me on an emotional level that very few bands achieve.
― the future is now, Friday, 31 March 2017 05:26 (seven years ago) link
I don't really like Kingsize (sorry, worst biggest fan ever, ever)
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 31 March 2017 14:04 (seven years ago) link
I don't know why people are suddenly so down on EAF - I think it's fantastic.
Revisiting Giant Steps which has always struck me as a product of its time and left me completely cold. The only way I can really explain how I feel about this is to go track by track:
"I Hang Suspended" – solid Boo pop. Hard to deny. "Upon 9th and Fairchild" – godawful guitar noise and dub. Dated in about a hundred ways – and stops the album's momentum cold just as it's begun. "Wishing I Was Skinny" – poss. their first really Boo-ish tune. Love the new wave-y organ at the end. "Leaves and Sand" – shoegaze-y and kind of unremarkable from a melodic standpoint. "Butterfly McQueen" – more dub bass, gah, tho the trumpet is a nice touch. Contrast between the soft vocal section is interesting. More shoegaze guitar but interesting deconstruction at the end. "Rodney King – Song for Lenny Bruce" – nice transition from the previous song. Interesting groove, more electronic than anything to this point. "Thinking of Ways" – a preview into Wake Up-style melodicism and baroque arrangements. Love the "head full of beer" lyric. Alas, the noisy guitars enter to remind us that they're a rock band near the end. "Barney (...And Me)" – a nod to New Order ca. 1987? Regardless, it's not particularly compelling as a song and seems to try to get by on its driving energy. "Spun Around" – maybe a bit of a preview into what inspired C'mon Kids. Guitar noise here seems to transcend some of the more bro-ish tendencies elsewhere on the record. "If You Want It, Take It" – the most straightforward thing on the disc to this point. Four piece indie pop, with organ and guitar solos. Fine I suppose. "Best Lose the Fear" – bouncy tune and interesting chords, excellent chorus and, perhaps not coincidentally, one of the simpler things on the album. Clarinet is a nice touch. Perhaps drags on a bit long. "Take the Time Around" – slamming guitars wake us from our slumber, bounces back and forth between jangle pop and driving New Order noise pop. An early example of Carr's "Choose Your Own Adventure" structuring, tho none of the melodies are particularly compelling. "Lazarus" – ah, the dub shit again. Break into the melody is welcome however, and there are some lovely textures here and the brass bit is one of the few places on the record where the loud guitars work without reservation. "One Is For" – acoustic interlude, threatens to burst into shoegaze noise but thankfully never does. "Run My Way Runway" – again, feels like a bit of a lean into where the Boos would go two albums later, constructing tunes out of texture and Sice's vocals. Pretty cool. "I've Lost the Reason" – "Sha la la la" vocals and an intimate intro melody that presages the middle section of "Monuments for a Dead Century." Second section kind of a neat swinging guitar groove, a little flugelhorn to Bacharach things up, a touch of flute and chorus near the end, this is one of Martin's better early-ish creations. "The White Noise Revisited" – an early entry in the Boo's ambiguous "hey kid, its all gonna be ok...I think" album closers. Almost a bit of a Elephant Six feel to parts of this one, before resolving into a befuddled singalong to close things out.
Long and the short, this feels like the Boo's Annie Hall – the first place where people took notice that this was a talent to reckon with but in retrospect less a breakthrough than a transitional album and far more grounded in earlier influences than it appeared at the time. Interesting but not always successful – with lots of signposts toward their next three albums.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 31 March 2017 15:33 (seven years ago) link
boooooooooo....!
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 31 March 2017 15:55 (seven years ago) link
The only songs I don't like much are the two singles - Wish I Was Skinny and Barney.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 31 March 2017 15:58 (seven years ago) link
I love 'Barney (...And Me)', it reminds me of The Cure.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:00 (seven years ago) link
Three singles, surely. ("I Hang Suspended")
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 31 March 2017 16:00 (seven years ago) link
yeah but I like IHS
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:00 (seven years ago) link
i don't like the particular jangle of the acoustic guitar on Barney. The lyrics feel chirpy and cheap, a bit like It's Lulu or Free Huey or C'Mon Kids. Always felt that the Boos picked their least interesting songs as singles.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:02 (seven years ago) link
cmon kids title track is amazing
― an uptempo Pop/Hip Hop mentality (imago), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:03 (seven years ago) link
it has *that bit* in it
― an uptempo Pop/Hip Hop mentality (imago), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:05 (seven years ago) link
They got progressively better with each album. C'mon Kids and Kingsize should be their albums which are celebrated.
― PaulTMA, Friday, 31 March 2017 16:06 (seven years ago) link
Wake Up! should be celebrated more, it's not the shiny happy pop album almost everyone makes it out to be, either lyrically or compositionally. It's quite a sad, downbeat record.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:20 (seven years ago) link
I think I've said this before, but that album is the best example of the difference between what I *thought* the lyrics were and what they actually were. Total depress-o-rama set to the catchiest tunes this side of catchy.
― dlp9001, Friday, 31 March 2017 16:25 (seven years ago) link
I'm starting to make my peace with a lot of '90s UK guitar music... there was a period of a few years where, with one or two exceptions, it was the last thing I wanted to hear.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Friday, 31 March 2017 16:40 (seven years ago) link
this.
yesterday i added my creation cds to the archive thinking i would never ever get any enjoyment out of them.so randomly earlier today, i listened to the 18 wheeler album, year zero, and totally and utterly loved every minute of it.was weird given that at the time it came out it did nothing for me.
― mark e, Friday, 31 March 2017 18:21 (seven years ago) link
agreed
― Bee OK, Friday, 31 March 2017 19:30 (seven years ago) link
I must have played "C'mon Kids" about twice, it didn't click with me. And seeing as it was a promo, I'd stopped playing it before bit had even come out. Liked the single b-sides more.
Anyway, last year I got the deluxe edition, and found that it was great after all.
While we're all here, I got the Rainbow Ffollies album 'Sallies forth' recently, and some of it definitely reminds me of the Boos, so see if you think so, why not?
― Mark G, Friday, 31 March 2017 21:18 (seven years ago) link
About seven years ago, Stuart Campbell (yes, the video game journalist) did an alternate tracklisting for C'mon Kids which includes some B-sides of the period substituted for some of the album tracks.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Friday, 31 March 2017 21:25 (seven years ago) link
If I was trying to slim down Giant Steps I'd be happy to lose these ones: Thinking of Ways, Spun Around, Best Lose The Fear and The White Noise Revisited
― Warren's Treat (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Saturday, 1 April 2017 19:51 (seven years ago) link
No.
Anyway, one time I tried to make a version with the long version of Lazarus, but it did not work. The slightly edited version was better.
― Mark G, Saturday, 1 April 2017 20:18 (seven years ago) link
sorry guys but I have to step in here and say: Giant Steps is one of the very greatest albums ever made, and Kingsize... isn't
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Saturday, 1 April 2017 20:29 (seven years ago) link
but yeah, Wake Up is a hugely underrated record. I hear C'Mon Kids as the big (Brit)pop album really. That album is like 'what if Oasis really were obsessed with the Beatles?'. Wake Up, as expressed upthread, is the psych-oustic diary of someone who's going through some very difficult quarter-life crisis stuff and it's also a fantastic collection of songs.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Saturday, 1 April 2017 20:36 (seven years ago) link
Does anyone else appreciate them as a songs band, but not an album band?
― afriendlypioneer, Saturday, 1 April 2017 21:15 (seven years ago) link
There was a great run of 12"s that were essential back in the day but the LPs that followed weren't as good. Ichabod probably my favourite. #rockist
― koogs, Saturday, 1 April 2017 21:25 (seven years ago) link
If I was trying to slim down Giant Steps I'd be happy to lose these ones: Thinking of Ways, Spun Around, Best Lose The Fear and The White Noise Revisited― Warren's Treat (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Saturday, April 1, 2017 7:51 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Warren's Treat (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Saturday, April 1, 2017 7:51 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Ha, I'd gladly lose 'Spun Around', but I'd keep the rest. 'One Is For' is really the only other track I'd lose.
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Saturday, 1 April 2017 23:13 (seven years ago) link
we changed your mind about Kingsize during their poll dog latin, sad that didn't last.
― Bee OK, Sunday, 2 April 2017 00:11 (seven years ago) link
it's not a bad album by any means but there's no comparison. Some of the production choices are very much of their time and the artwork is atrocious. it's got some great songs on there but it's also got Free Huey cluttering up the front half while the last third drags a bit for me. I'd lose one or two tracks.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Sunday, 2 April 2017 18:27 (seven years ago) link
Not enough dub for dog latin
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 2 April 2017 19:45 (seven years ago) link
'Comb Your Hair" was going to be the third Kingsize single, but Martin decided to split the band rather than have to play it ever again.
― Mark G, Sunday, 2 April 2017 21:16 (seven years ago) link
Comb Your Hair sounds like a rehash of Pulp's Something Changed to me. I'd probably drop it
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Sunday, 2 April 2017 22:13 (seven years ago) link
Blimey that Martin Carr single is awful, it's like the office HR manager's sparetime band or something.
I love Giant Steps, it's one of those Tusk/White Album records where all the songs make a lovely single piece, including the less-good-bits and the ones that go on forever. Never really liked anything after that except "Ride the Tiger".
― Chuck_Tatum, Sunday, 2 April 2017 23:37 (seven years ago) link
'Gold Lift' is better than 'Free Huey.' God, that song is irredeemable. The last minute feels like an hour.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 3 April 2017 14:54 (seven years ago) link
DON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BEDON'T YOU KNOW AND YOU GOTTA BE ALL YOU CAN BE
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/hazards/primer/images/volc-images/puuoo.jpg
― The Roger Waters Experience (Turrican), Monday, 3 April 2017 15:01 (seven years ago) link
sure "Free Huey" is their worst song and did not make our Top 40 in the Boo Radleys poll. they also released their best song "Kingsize" around this time. "Comb Your Hair" is such a great song, made my ballot.
― Bee OK, Thursday, 6 April 2017 03:55 (seven years ago) link
Weird how high New Brighton Promenade made it in that poll. Some very interesting results. Firesky at number 10 is a surprise too. Still sour that Blues For George Michael didn't even place
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Thursday, 6 April 2017 07:54 (seven years ago) link
re: Kingsize. I feel like, starting about the time of C'Mon Kids, Carr became a great pop composer but his lyrical output was starting to wane, and this is felt very strongly on Kingsize. The lyrics on GS were always very personal but often shrouded in ambiguity, whereas on Kingsize and on later solo releases they become very literal almost to the extreme. Gold Lift is the most obvious example of 'bash-you-over-the-head-with-the-message' songwriting, but it started a lot earlier. Jimmy Webb, for example, has some lovely orchestration but the lyrics are really trite and simpering. I'd have called it a b-side. Monuments for A Dead Century, Melodies For The Blind, are musically fine but again I find the message is broadcast just a bit too brightly. There's no mystery or intrigue. Even on Wake Up, like, you knew he was singing about his life but not SPECIFICALLY so, and the weakest moments on that album (It's Lulu) told it exactly as it was.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 13:29 (seven years ago) link
Baby's gone but there'll be moreI'm only twenty threeMy hair is thin, my size is largeWhat have I done to mePretty soon I'll fix a drink Though I've been told it will kill me
"ambiguity"
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:40 (seven years ago) link
The thing is, while there's plenty to praise about this band, I'm not convinced that Carr has ever been a particularly great lyricist. I think the lyrics fluctuated in quality from song to song, rather than album to album.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:42 (seven years ago) link
He's had a pretty thick head of hair, himself.
Sice's hair, well..
― Mark G, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:52 (seven years ago) link
"I don't really need, to be the way I are"
(shudd)
The rest is OK, but.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:53 (seven years ago) link
that always really bugged me. then again Timbaland did it too and no one blinked
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:54 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, but Martin was supposed to be some sort of lyricist.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:55 (seven years ago) link
Baby's gone but there'll be moreI'm only twenty threeMy hair is thin, my size is largeWhat have I done to mePretty soon I'll fix a drink Though I've been told it will kill me"ambiguity"― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Tuesday, April 11, 2017 3:40 PM (fourteen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Tuesday, April 11, 2017 3:40 PM (fourteen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
See I really love that lyric but when he gets all agit-prop and expressive I find it really hard going (Twinside notwithstanding). That lyric feels legitimately like something you'd think when you get home drunk and heartbroken, whereas by the time he gets to C'Mon Kids he's using these weak cod-psychedelic metaphors about painting your life with colours.. Also: 'a fuel infected car'. Also: 'Monkeys dressed in uniforms thinking they own the place / Threatening to break my face'. There are a lot of cringey lyrics post-Wake Up that I just don't notice on their first few albums.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 15:00 (seven years ago) link
I'm still trying to figure out how Monuments for a Dead Century didn't even place in the poll. It's probably my favorite thing they ever did and the arrival of the final section is a thing of beauty that they only really perfected by Kingsize.
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 13 April 2017 13:31 (seven years ago) link
i don't like the bit where they spell out 'millenium'
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Thursday, 13 April 2017 13:36 (seven years ago) link
A little hard to listen to these days. 'Giant Steps' sometimes moves me a bit, particularly "I Hang Suspended" but the bah-bah-ba-bah harmonies wear thin on me in 2017.
― yesca, Thursday, 13 April 2017 13:39 (seven years ago) link
Xpost clearly not, otherwise you'd have been able to spell millennium.
(smiley)
― Mark G, Thursday, 13 April 2017 19:33 (seven years ago) link
apparently they did it themselves when they first wrote the song and then had to work a way to change it
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 14 April 2017 10:45 (seven years ago) link
True.
― Mark G, Friday, 14 April 2017 13:38 (seven years ago) link
'Monuments for a Dead Century' is ace! One of my favourite things on Kingsize, definitely. Listening back, Kingsize probably has the slickest, fattest sounding production of all their records.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Friday, 14 April 2017 15:08 (seven years ago) link
you think? to me it sounds a little dry and plasticky. very '1998'. the psychedelic flute flourishes on Monuments sound like tacked-on psychedelic signifiers rather than the real thing
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Saturday, 15 April 2017 13:08 (seven years ago) link
Yup, although it is undoubtedly the least psychedelic of all their albums.
― ...so music and chicken have become intertwined (Turrican), Saturday, 15 April 2017 13:13 (seven years ago) link
so... this new Martin Carr album... best thing he's done since the Boos or?
Have to agree with Carr about his previous album, The Breaks, which was stuffed with nice tunes but stylistically sounded like it came out 20 years ago.
― Fox Mulder, FYI (dog latin), Thursday, 16 November 2017 11:53 (six years ago) link
I prefer The Breaks to the new album, but the new one is great too. I think the Breaks is his best LP with or without the Boos.
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, 16 November 2017 19:33 (six years ago) link
i had no idea Martin Carr had a new album, thanks for letting me know.
― Bee OK, Friday, 17 November 2017 01:06 (six years ago) link
and it's on Spotify here in the States!
interesting opinion brotherlovesdub, i even bought the CD of The Breaks but for me it's not the Boo Radleys.
― Bee OK, Friday, 17 November 2017 01:08 (six years ago) link
I connected with the lyrics to Mainstream, and the overall lyrical themes of the album. I find it very easy to listen to all the way through.
― brotherlovesdub, Friday, 17 November 2017 04:59 (six years ago) link
I prefer The Breaks to the new album, but the new one is great too. I think the Breaks is his best LP with or without the Boos.― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, November 16, 2017 7:33 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― brotherlovesdub, Thursday, November 16, 2017 7:33 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Wow, this is quite a statement
― Fox Mulder, FYI (dog latin), Friday, 17 November 2017 11:59 (six years ago) link
I bought it on vinyl (the Breaks) because it came out at a time when I'd been thinking about the Boos a lot, but yeah it wasn't my cuppa really. Sounded like Martin trying to sound like someone trying to sound like the Boo Radleys or something. Very Britpop but none of the weirdness that I know he's good at.
― Fox Mulder, FYI (dog latin), Friday, 17 November 2017 12:00 (six years ago) link
I didn't come in wanting weirdness. It's very straightforward, overall very mellow and lyrically down a bit, but I just find it really pleasing to listen to. I don't have to skip any songs and I find myself either singing along to the lyrics or nodding my head in agreement. I like the Boos, but there are several songs on every album that I have to skip. I'm not much of a guitar person, so shrieking guitars and feedback usually make me want to skip the track.
― brotherlovesdub, Friday, 17 November 2017 16:07 (six years ago) link
So way back when, I talked to Tim and Rob. (Subscribers only!)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/interviews-from-32425553
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 19 December 2019 21:20 (four years ago) link
I really like 'Kingsize', would happily take "Free Huey" off but otherwise think it's really good, a teenage favourite. I have the promo CD in a yellow sleeve so I also don't have to see the atrocious official artwork.
I have 'The Breaks' but have yet to listen to it.
― michaellambert, Thursday, 19 December 2019 22:58 (four years ago) link
The last thing the Boos released was a cover of a song from Bugsy Malone - and only as the b-side of a single that was cancelled after promos went out. It's on soundcloud for a day or so.
― Dollarmite Is My Name (sic), Thursday, 26 March 2020 05:29 (four years ago) link
Was definitely available elsewhere because I put a copy in my end of year mix one year.
https://www.discogs.com/The-Boo-Radleys-Find-The-Way-Out/release/742208
― koogs, Thursday, 26 March 2020 06:12 (four years ago) link
Sure you didn't get a copy of the promo?
https://www.discogs.com/The-Boo-Radleys-Kingsize/release/384046
(Fair play about the later comp, I didn't proof the uploader's claim)
― Dollarmite Is My Name (sic), Thursday, 26 March 2020 06:47 (four years ago) link
Is it weird that, after 20+ years, the Boos song I return to most is 'Joel'?
― Poptimus Grime (Pillbox), Thursday, 26 March 2020 06:52 (four years ago) link
"Tomorrow" is on the Boo Radleys best-of collection "Find the answer within"
One track, "Superintendent", remains otherwise unreleased.
― Mark G, Thursday, 26 March 2020 07:09 (four years ago) link
are YOU sure you don't mean The Boo Radleys, Classic or Dud?
― Dollarmite Is My Name (sic), Thursday, 26 March 2020 07:52 (four years ago) link
Well...
― Mark G, Thursday, 26 March 2020 07:54 (four years ago) link
i'm pretty sure i voted for "Tomorrow" on our artist Boo Radleys poll. i remember hearing it for the first time and thinking what another great B-Side from this band, had no idea it was a cover at the time. also one of the last new songs i would ever hear from them. fast forward to sort of recently and the Jodi Foster movie was on and i happened to catch the song in the movie where a kid was singing it or something like that.
― Bee OK, Thursday, 26 March 2020 16:04 (four years ago) link
i don't see this posted on this thread, so for reference: Just a simple song but God I love it Embedded in me, so bittersweet I’m addicted, I’m a melancholic Sing it again, I’ll be your Poll forever: THE BOO RADLEYS - ILM artist poll #60
― Bee OK, Thursday, 26 March 2020 16:07 (four years ago) link
I know there's some huge Giant Steps fans here, so figured you might be interested in this re-up on one of my favorite blogs:
https://wilfullyobscure.blogspot.com/2017/05/boo-radleys-giant-steps-demos-1992-93.html
― Evan, Friday, 10 April 2020 16:28 (four years ago) link
I remember Martin Carr hosting a load of demos on his website, in "Real Audio" (remember that?) along with some live takes. They sounded very telephone. Will have to see what these are like.
― Mark G, Friday, 10 April 2020 18:58 (four years ago) link
These are quite rough. Still fun for fans!
― Evan, Friday, 10 April 2020 19:11 (four years ago) link
oh wow, i have never heard these before. downloading now and thanks Evan!
― Bee OK, Friday, 10 April 2020 22:58 (four years ago) link
the download worked but don't have the software on my computer to play...minor details but i like to just play everything on Spotify these days
― Bee OK, Saturday, 11 April 2020 00:33 (four years ago) link
Thursday May 28th8pm (U.K. time)Giant Steps is getting the #TimsTwitterListeningParty treatment - @martin_carr will take us on a track by track journey around The Boo Radleys’ seminal albumCome with us pic.twitter.com/lvh2b7dBl4— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) May 24, 2020
Giant Steps getting the Listening Party treatment on twitter tonight at 8:05 uk time
(watch out for my friend stephen posting work-in-progress pics of the original art)
― koogs, Thursday, 28 May 2020 14:21 (three years ago) link
Meanwhile, in a bedsit flat on Huskisson Street, Liverpool 8, circa '92/'93... pic.twitter.com/mdSLTSBgRQ— Stephen A. Wood (@stephen_a_wood) May 28, 2020
― koogs, Friday, 29 May 2020 01:19 (three years ago) link
You can see from the top that it's just one of those paper lamp shades with photocopies stick on it, but it did the job.
― koogs, Friday, 29 May 2020 01:21 (three years ago) link
oh wow, nice. thanks for posting this.
― Bee OK, Friday, 29 May 2020 01:32 (three years ago) link
Who else listened in / tweeted last night? I found Martin and Sice very good at it (though Martin's self-deprecation bordered on OTT self-criticism at times). I like (well, not sure if that's the right word) the fact that neither of them like the one I don't like either ('Spun Around').
― The Rampaging Goats of Llandudno (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Friday, 29 May 2020 19:33 (three years ago) link
I'm sad i missed this although people were saying that Martin wasn't really acknowledging Sice too much, despite a number of olive branches being extended. not sure how much to read into it though
― doorstep jetski (dog latin), Friday, 29 May 2020 19:44 (three years ago) link
I wouldn't have said that was true. Have a read through of it.
― The Rampaging Goats of Llandudno (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Friday, 29 May 2020 19:47 (three years ago) link
there was a point where I loved Spun Around. Cut from the same cloth as Upon 9th and Fairchild. I've come to find that the more enduring moments in their catalogue are the darker, more psychedelic songs for me. It's straight-up twee fare like Barney which I never got on with
― doorstep jetski (dog latin), Friday, 29 May 2020 19:48 (three years ago) link
xp I will. I'm not very good at navigating twitter tho
― doorstep jetski (dog latin), Friday, 29 May 2020 19:49 (three years ago) link
Actually, I've been back through it and he doesn't say much about Sice. There was this:
I always loved playing this live.Poor Sice, having to sing drivel like this.— Martin Carr (@martin_carr) May 28, 2020
― The Rampaging Goats of Llandudno (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Friday, 29 May 2020 20:00 (three years ago) link
I read Martins tweets, I didn't see Sice's
― Mark G, Saturday, 30 May 2020 07:43 (three years ago) link
JULY 8. pic.twitter.com/5OeJSKPZAL— The Boo Radleys (@theboo_radleys) July 4, 2021
Could Martin be on board for this?
― PaulTMA, Sunday, 4 July 2021 19:44 (two years ago) link
For what?
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Sunday, 4 July 2021 20:08 (two years ago) link
There was some press about the other three being in the studio together, plus they were due to play some gigs as Sice Boo & The Radleys. This appears to be hinting at something happening under the actual name of The Boo Radleys, which you'd assume would need to include Martin, who has appeared quite reluctant to reform the band. If this is an actual reunion, I wouldn't expect them to use the name if Martin wasn't involved.
― PaulTMA, Sunday, 4 July 2021 23:12 (two years ago) link
Cautiously optimistic. What's w/ the accounts they're following? Maybe just trying to gin up some Britpop nostalgia once the news breaks?
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 15:30 (two years ago) link
A new single. Tune into @steve_lamacq on @BBC6Music this afternoon to hear it first. pic.twitter.com/bL7co4tPMU— The Boo Radleys (@theboo_radleys) July 7, 2021
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 16:48 (two years ago) link
I missed it, but I think the show'll be up soon.
#Firstplay: "A Full Syringe And Memories Of You" by The Boo Radleys on BBC Radio 6 Music
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 16:49 (two years ago) link
https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/182141682_116144803945611_210419184829450941_n.jpg
Uploaded May 4th (lol). I guess the hardcore fans disappeared.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 16:52 (two years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/jM3m3yb.jpg
Meant to link that.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 16:53 (two years ago) link
according to their fb martin isn't involved, it's just the other three lol
― ufo, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:03 (two years ago) link
Ugh. Yuck. I dunno about that.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:04 (two years ago) link
https://open.spotify.com/track/15EihUMaEeYbcHPRQukpFL?si=3dfc576ea3a649b4
Well, if it's tomorrow for any of you, check out the song and report back... please? The little horn sample's got me thinking it's not gonna go well.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:07 (two years ago) link
https://www.nme.com/news/music/boo-radleys-to-reunite-as-sice-boo-the-radleys-for-2021-shiiine-on-festival-2803454
And there you go.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:21 (two years ago) link
laughable
― imago, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:45 (two years ago) link
Oh, well, that link is old and someone upthread already mentioned Sice & Boos. But clearly Martin's not joining.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 17:50 (two years ago) link
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000xlrs
Song's at about 40 minutes if you're feeling curious...
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 19:13 (two years ago) link
I don't hate it. But kinda amazed they're using the Boos name. When I saw the 'Sice Boo & The Radleys' listing I thought fair enough, makes it clear that it's not going to be the full band
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 20:36 (two years ago) link
Could be much worse, but it’s not the same band.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 7 July 2021 22:17 (two years ago) link
oh wow, no matter what i am excited about this. with or without Martin. can't seem to listen to this in the states as of yet.
― Bee OK, Thursday, 8 July 2021 01:21 (two years ago) link
the sounds link should work, it's not geoblocked
― koogs, Thursday, 8 July 2021 04:38 (two years ago) link
Agreed that I am interested even without Martin's participation, but it does feel disingenuous to call it the Boo Radleys (maybe Ruse Badlys?).I didn't realize Martin wasn't involved when I first heard the new track and though it is a bit slight and straight forward, I didn't guess it either. Decent melodies and Sice's vocals sound better (smoother, younger maybe) than I expected. Honestly, it could easily slot on Kingsize or Martin's recent records for that matter. At least as good as any Eggman tracks that I can remember.
― bressonian, Thursday, 8 July 2021 04:41 (two years ago) link
Mixing is a bit weak and demoey, but yeah it's not a world away from Kingsize
― PaulTMA, Thursday, 8 July 2021 08:12 (two years ago) link
I assume Martin's OK with all this...
― Mark G, Thursday, 8 July 2021 08:28 (two years ago) link
yeah, a bit like when Crabbie got the all clear to continue to use PWEI.
― mark e, Thursday, 8 July 2021 09:28 (two years ago) link
If this is the only means of seeing them live (never did back in the day) and Martin has firmly said he'll never do it then I'll take it, to be honest. It is disappointing as a reunion of the proper lineup with them getting their dues was something I'd always hoped for
― PaulTMA, Thursday, 8 July 2021 09:41 (two years ago) link
Well this sounds.... like the Boo Radleys, as in it could easily have been lifted from a Kingsize session and it's giving me the same goose pimples I haven't had since I was eighteen and bought my last new Boos release. Whether I can love it in the same way with 23 year's hindsight is another matter.
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Thursday, 8 July 2021 10:15 (two years ago) link
Those brass announcements are pure Lazarus rebooted. There's something ever so slightly ploddy about the drums in certain parts and it's missing the more leftfield experimentation I like about them. But it's good, I like it well enough!
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Thursday, 8 July 2021 10:17 (two years ago) link
> There's something ever so slightly ploddy about the drums in certain parts
it's the original drummer by the look. and personally i was hoping for something more like ichabod and less like newer boos.
― koogs, Thursday, 8 July 2021 10:24 (two years ago) link
just received the PR for this release.
"The four members, including influential guitarist and songwriter, Martin Carr, retreated from life as The Boo Radleys shortly after the release of sixth album, Kingsize. Having been largely out of contact since the end of the sessions for that final album, all members of The Boo Radleys have come together in recent years to discuss future plans. As a result, The Boo Radleys in 2021 are Tim Brown (bass/guitar/keyboards), Sice (guitar/vocals) and Rob Cieka (drums). Martin Carr does not appear in the current line-up."
― mark e, Thursday, 8 July 2021 11:44 (two years ago) link
Sice is a psychotherapist last I heard.
― piscesx, Thursday, 8 July 2021 11:51 (two years ago) link
Why did you want to reform the Boo Radleys?
Sice: Nobody had the idea to reform the group. It is something that has evolved naturally. I invited Tim to attend my 50th birthday party. While exchanging, we found that neither of us had made music for years. We said to each other: why not get back together? We started sending each other files to exchange ideas. Very quickly, Rob joined us. At no time did we find ourselves in the same room. Everything was done remotely. Without really noticing it, we have accumulated a good stock of songs. All were finalized.
Did you hesitate before thinking about making them public?
Sice: Honestly, yes. We didn't really know what to do with it. Only one thing was clear in our mind, we didn't want to release them as The Boo Radleys. The first idea that sprouted was to give a few concerts. We have planned dates under the name of Sice Boo & The Radleys. We had other ideas for names that were just as crazy (laughs). With the containment, we had to cancel them.
Why did you change your mind about the name of the group?
Sice: I went to visit Martin Carr (former guitarist and composer of the group, editor's note ) in Wales for a day. I asked him if he wanted to join the group. He was honest and preferred to decline. He has other plans in mind at the moment. On the other hand, he told me that it was useless to play under another name. He was the one who urged me to use the Boo Radleys name again.
https://section-26.fr/the-boo-radleys-pour-notre-retour-on-fuit-la-pression/?fbclid=IwAR3rdDD0db5Mz3zmFGUYMvAubo4q168-wMBd4LGM-lOJjaIKkET4aj60Yfc
― PaulTMA, Saturday, 7 August 2021 12:59 (two years ago) link
Well, fair enough then.
― Mark G, Saturday, 7 August 2021 21:55 (two years ago) link
Yeah can’t argue.
― piscesx, Sunday, 8 August 2021 12:58 (two years ago) link
EP is up on Spotify. I would say it's largely unmemorable. I don't mind "Life Is Getting Better" but other than that it's just whatever
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Friday, 10 September 2021 09:42 (two years ago) link
I think the songs are OK, but the mixing and vocal processing are really poor. Title song is genuinely great though
― PaulTMA, Friday, 10 September 2021 10:00 (two years ago) link
They got out the gate wrong with the artwork and song title. They have the definite stench of a failed project.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 10 September 2021 17:23 (two years ago) link
Weird, ugly font. What’s that mannequin doing on there? Overwrought, over-serious title. I dunno. Just felt like a flop before I even heard Martin was out.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 10 September 2021 17:24 (two years ago) link
Cover looks like a sub-C'mon Kids idea
I'm hoping the shows will at least be fun
― PaulTMA, Friday, 10 September 2021 18:28 (two years ago) link
Don't mind the cover; it's got a sort of Blade Runner vibe to it, but the title is really clunky and I'm surprised they didn't just call it 'Syringe" or "Memories of You"
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Friday, 10 September 2021 18:31 (two years ago) link
Despite the weird sound, I've played the title song to death. Musically it's a great impression of the Kingsize era, even if the other songs don't come close
― PaulTMA, Friday, 10 September 2021 18:32 (two years ago) link
Yeah I thought the title song wasn't bad at all. A few hallmarks that date it quite badly (like the middle-eighth sung down the telephone part), and the Lazarus brass which seems like a cop out, but hey it's okay
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Friday, 10 September 2021 18:42 (two years ago) link
Well, I guess they announced an album.
https://thebooradleys.tmstor.es/product/87786
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 14 October 2021 15:08 (two years ago) link
esponding to the warm welcome that greeted news of their reformation earlier this year, The Boo Radleys announce the release of their first album of all-new music in 24 years, the 11-track Keep On With Falling, which emerges on Fri 11 March 2022 on their own Boostr label.CD11 I've Had Enough I'm Out2 Keep On With Falling3 All Along4 I Say A Lot Of Things5 Tonight6 A Full Syringe And Memories Of You7 Call Your Name8 Here She Comes Again9 You And Me10 I Can't Be What You Want Me To Be11 Alone Together2CD BONUS TRACKLIST:1 I'll put the bars around my heart - alternative version (previously unreleased)2 Thieves like us - New Order cover (previously unreleased)3 All Along - Alternative version (previously unreleased)4 Tonight - Alternative version (previously unreleased)5 I can't be what you want me to be - Piano version (previously unreleased)6 Alone Together - Alternative version (previously unreleased)7 See It Through (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)8 Life Is Getting Better (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)9 I'll Put The Bars Around My Heart (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)
CD11 I've Had Enough I'm Out2 Keep On With Falling3 All Along4 I Say A Lot Of Things5 Tonight6 A Full Syringe And Memories Of You7 Call Your Name8 Here She Comes Again9 You And Me10 I Can't Be What You Want Me To Be11 Alone Together
2CD BONUS TRACKLIST:1 I'll put the bars around my heart - alternative version (previously unreleased)2 Thieves like us - New Order cover (previously unreleased)3 All Along - Alternative version (previously unreleased)4 Tonight - Alternative version (previously unreleased)5 I can't be what you want me to be - Piano version (previously unreleased)6 Alone Together - Alternative version (previously unreleased)7 See It Through (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)8 Life Is Getting Better (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)9 I'll Put The Bars Around My Heart (previously released digitally on the “A Full Syringe And Memories Of You” EP)
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 14 October 2021 15:09 (two years ago) link
missed this until now. i went to order and have not bought a CD in like five years. the postage to California is $11.50 so i'm going to wait.
thanks for the post afriendlypioneer
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 October 2021 23:11 (two years ago) link
Sank £30 for the signed vinyl, just need to get Martin's signature
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 19 October 2021 23:25 (two years ago) link
Martin's?
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 19 October 2021 23:32 (two years ago) link
Martin Carr is not in the new Boo Radleys
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 02:01 (two years ago) link
Um, break it gently, yeah?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 08:49 (two years ago) link
tbf, he did say "just need to " rather than "just to"
This is even worse than the shit SFA have been pulling recently. afriendlypioneer why do you insist on being the bearer of bad news lol
― imago, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 08:59 (two years ago) link
While it's nice to hear Eggman's voice again, I am not into the new stuff
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Wednesday, 20 October 2021 10:15 (two years ago) link
Well I got my Division Bell signed by Waters
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 11:33 (two years ago) link
I'm optimistic there'll be some other worthwhile songs on the album, although I wonder if them going out as the Boos will sour Martin to the idea of ever rejoining them, even if it was his suggestion
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 11:36 (two years ago) link
ha xp
― Chicks and Ducks and Geese better scurry (Ste), Wednesday, 20 October 2021 11:38 (two years ago) link
If he wasn’t into a reunion before, I don’t think the current material, or lack of reception from the world in general, will inspire him. This things getting no attention.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 13:14 (two years ago) link
Perhaps not.
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 20 October 2021 13:26 (two years ago) link
NEW SINGLE - https://t.co/fwSIrOf87F— Martin Carr & What Future (@martin_carr) November 24, 2021
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 25 November 2021 00:14 (two years ago) link
No bravecaptain, no credibility
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 25 November 2021 00:21 (two years ago) link
It's good and I like the approach - reminds me of some of the weirder Boos stuff - but I always think he mixes his vocals a little too dry and upfront so they make his lyrics sound really on the nose even when they aren't
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Thursday, 25 November 2021 01:48 (two years ago) link
Being the second biggest Boo fan on this board, I went ahead and ordered the 2CD set. I was only lukewarm on the single that I heard but I bought the new Spoon CD so buying another CD this month seemed to be fine.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 9 March 2022 07:19 (two years ago) link
I'm guessing I'm the third biggest, but who?
Anyway, whassitlike? Or has it not arrived yet?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 9 March 2022 10:03 (two years ago) link
I just don't know what to make of the new stuff. It's definitely Boo Radleys flavoured, but it's more like eating one of those very realistic veggie burgers that are made to look and taste like real meat and if you close your eyes and pretend you don't know what real meat tastes like, it's great
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Wednesday, 9 March 2022 16:35 (two years ago) link
So far it's alright. The lyrics aren't particularly strong and the overall spark that Martin would usually bring is missing. They would be better off getting an outside pair of ears to mix the record rather than doing it 100% in-house
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 9 March 2022 17:43 (two years ago) link
I'm guessing I'm the third biggest, but who?Anyway, whassitlike? Or has it not arrived yet?
Thread starter
It has not
― Bee OK, Thursday, 10 March 2022 23:51 (two years ago) link
In case you're interested, Martin has put all the material he wrote for David Quantick's Snodgrass (based on the Ian MacLeod short story about a middle-aged Lennon, who had left the Beatles pre-fame) up on Bandcamp. It was a 30min Sky Arts film with Ian Hart in 2013, and was supposed to be become a feature (with my friend Chris attached to direct), but Ian Hart didn't want to play Lennon for the umpteenth time, and it all seems to have fallen through - hence a clutch of unused songs.
― Michael Jones, Friday, 11 March 2022 10:46 (two years ago) link
I get why they reused the name, likely cuz this thing would get even less attention than it’s getting now, but it seems pretty clear few people were clamoring for the return of the Boos. I hardly knew this was out til I saw the thread.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 11 March 2022 13:59 (two years ago) link
xp don't know why I click on this thread as I only really like one album (EAF) but glad I did as Snodgrass is one of my favourite stories and I had no idea about any of that!
― ledge, Friday, 11 March 2022 14:01 (two years ago) link
The Sky Arts thing is on YouTube (not great quality, mind), I think.
― Michael Jones, Friday, 11 March 2022 14:13 (two years ago) link
They weren’t going to use the name, but Martin said they should.
― Mark G, Friday, 11 March 2022 17:55 (two years ago) link
Yeah, this is a perfectly nice album, better than I expected based on the other songs on the EP.
― PaulTMA, Saturday, 12 March 2022 01:45 (two years ago) link
This album is good and so much better than it has any right to be. I guess if you take 24 years off and decide to come back then it should be worth it and I think this is worth it. That being said, I really don't consider this a Boo Radleys album, you can't lose your songwriter and expect it to be the same band. I look at this more like a follow up to that Eggman record from the 90s.
― Bee OK, Monday, 14 March 2022 20:05 (two years ago) link
I really like that Eggman record. Not heard it in years though
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Monday, 14 March 2022 20:33 (two years ago) link
Yeah, played that Eggman album a fair bit. Added "turn all your lies to truth" to mixtapes at the time
I see there's a cheap (deluxe) download available at the Boos Official merch site, ok I'm gonna get one tomorrow...
― Mark G, Monday, 14 March 2022 23:25 (two years ago) link
I cannot really get into that Eggman albun nor even less the Paperlung effort but I think the new Boos is kinda charming. Sorry.
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 00:43 (two years ago) link
*album
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 00:44 (two years ago) link
It's pretty great. Big hugs from the Boos.
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 01:20 (two years ago) link
Now got Kingsize on and bawling my eyes out. Oh dear oh dear.
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 01:25 (two years ago) link
I agree the new one is pretty good. Kingsize is probably my favorite but I have been over that here before and yes it can make me cry too.
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 01:29 (two years ago) link
Kingsize is a 10/10 genius album. Love it to death
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 01:31 (two years ago) link
I usually don't share reviews but this one is spot on except I think I like it better https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-boo-radleys-keep-on-with-falling/
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 15 March 2022 16:52 (two years ago) link
i still have not received my signed copy from the Boo Radleys store but it is on streaming here in the US and am able to listen to it
― Bee OK, Thursday, 17 March 2022 18:03 (two years ago) link
A new album, called "Eight"
However, they seem to be touring a "Giant Steps revisited" show, and are playing South Street Arts Centre in Reading, 13th June.
― Mark G, Tuesday, 24 January 2023 23:11 (one year ago) link
What, really? I feel like the only one on earth who loved their last album.
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 24 January 2023 23:30 (one year ago) link
Ya, rlly.
I bought the d/l with the live gig. Made it through five tracks, um yeah.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 00:19 (one year ago) link
Still, tempted to go see...
― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 00:20 (one year ago) link
Not going to defend it as it's lacking without Mattin Carr guitar work but I ended up playing it over and over and over again. Can't believe how much I warmed up to it. Just yesterday I woke up singing "Tonight." That doesn't happen very often but also the second half is better.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 00:29 (one year ago) link
Will try it again tomorrow
― Mark G, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 00:40 (one year ago) link
New song is gash, I'm sorry to say. But well up for the Giant Steps tour
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 03:00 (one year ago) link
Can anyone see the venues and dates anywhere? Can't seem to find them
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 03:02 (one year ago) link
Three dates beyond the above on songkick, tix currently only available to purchasers of the new album.
― more crankable (sic), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 04:04 (one year ago) link
Yeah wasn't keen on the last album - has a band member's absence ever felt so pronounced? - but I will happily see them do Giant Steps.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 05:19 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/kZYouM7.jpg
Eight
CD1:1. Seeker2. The Unconscious3. Hollow4. Skeleton Woman5. Sorrow (I Just Want To Be Free)6. Sometimes I Sleep7. Swift's Requiem8. The Way I Am9. A Shadow Darker Than The Rest10. Wash Away That Feeling11. When I Find It Hard12. Now That's What I Call Obscene13. How Was I To Know
CD2:1. Seeker (Full Version)2. Skeleton Woman (Extended Version)3. Sometimes I Sleep (Alternative Version)4. A Shadow Darker Than The Rest (Piano Version)5. The Hollow (Alternative Version)6. I Won't Be There With You7. That Ain't A Way Of Life8. Now I Know9. All Things Must Pass Live At The Cavern (2022)10. Spaniard Live At The Cavern (2022)11. Find The Answer Within Live At The Cavern (2022)
Out June 9, 2023 via Boostr
― Bee OK, Thursday, 26 January 2023 02:41 (one year ago) link
The Reading tickets seem to be available now
― Mark G, Thursday, 26 January 2023 08:21 (one year ago) link
Actually not minding "Seeker" at all
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Thursday, 26 January 2023 10:13 (one year ago) link
The b-side is nice too
― PaulTMA, Thursday, 26 January 2023 11:28 (one year ago) link
The album is alright. Marginally better than last year's LP, mostly because of Seekerm vaguely bossa-ish Skeleton Woman and britgum-ish Now That's What I Call Obscene (sounding more like McFly than the new McFly metal riffola album).
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Friday, 9 June 2023 02:14 (ten months ago) link
Oh, it's out today!
Thought this was about the Giant Steps remaster, etc.
― Mark G, Friday, 9 June 2023 11:01 (ten months ago) link
I bought this, just like the last album. Not sure why as I don't buy CD's anymore but I do it for this band. I will get a bonus CD but going from London to Los Angeles so I don't have it yet.
― Bee OK, Friday, 9 June 2023 16:35 (ten months ago) link
It's on Spotify, so looking forward to listening tonight.
― Bee OK, Friday, 9 June 2023 16:36 (ten months ago) link
Is this Giant Steps tour going to be any good without Martin? The London gig hasn't sold out yet so I could possibly go, but I'm not convinced.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Friday, 9 June 2023 22:30 (ten months ago) link
Yeah, it’ll be great
― PaulTMA, Friday, 9 June 2023 22:42 (ten months ago) link
The last album to me made some sense as it had a Boo Radleys sound. The problem with that is you no longer have Martin Carr who's the real genius. I grew to like the album and played it many times last year. This album is different, not a 180 turn but a turn nonetheless. It was strange as I felt like it had no guitar's until about 3/4 through it. These songs are just different so it's throwing me for a loop.
― Bee OK, Sunday, 11 June 2023 03:05 (ten months ago) link
Just seen their first set (they're coming back out to do Giant Steps in a bit). First time I've seen them since 1992.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Wednesday, 14 June 2023 19:42 (ten months ago) link
Sounds like fun. I got to see them back in the day and even at Lollapalooza.
Wish I was there and looking forward to your review.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 14 June 2023 20:07 (ten months ago) link
That was actually really good. Glad I went.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Wednesday, 14 June 2023 22:15 (ten months ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Qldx37Gz8
― PaulTMA, Thursday, 15 June 2023 22:28 (ten months ago) link
A belated review of sorts (of the London gig). Sice had got the stage times wrong (which he apologised for) as he got them mixed up with the following night, so they came on at 8pm for the first set instead of 8:30pm and I missed the first 20 minutes or so. Everything I heard from this set was new (either from the new new album or the one a year or two ago) so I didn't know them, but I was surprised to find I quite liked these songs. The exception was The Finest Kiss, which they closed with. As you can see from Paul's video above, they were augmented by a pretend Martin, which solved the missing guitar sound problem that had been making me reluctant to go to the gig originally.
The Giant Steps set later was pretty faithful to the album and did a good job of recreating the sound live (e.g. the feedback sounds at the start of Upon 9th and Fairchild). They played nearly every track: Sice announced mid-set that they would be missing out 'the shit noisy one' and asked 'how many people really want to hear Run My Way Runway?' - the answer was a lot of us, so he said he'd go and get a hoover and mike it up as this would do the job. It was largely in order apart from a medley section (can't remember exactly what was in this - One Is For definitely, maybe Spun Around and Best Lose The Fear). They messed up the opening to If You Want It, Take It twice before finally getting it right and then Sice got the chorus wrong (singing the second bit twice instead of "there's nothing bright about being undecided"). The only problem sonically was that Tim was singing the "do you know my name before you tear me apart? do you care who I am?" lines from Rodney King and it was almost inaudible, which was odd because his backing vocals were clear most of the rest of the time. I was surprised at how many people were there and the band seemed delighted by the audience response - broad smiles on their faces at the 'ba-ba-ba-ba's from the crowd during Lazarus. I took little video clips, but no whole songs. If I can be bothered I could stitch them together and put them on YouTube, but don't hold your breath.
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Friday, 16 June 2023 21:51 (ten months ago) link
Still not sure how I feel but came across this:https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-boo-radleys/eight-review
― Bee OK, Tuesday, 20 June 2023 07:04 (nine months ago) link
Just found this sublime acoustic version of Everybird from a couple of years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kovwtpD26ng
― Nasty, Brutish & Short, Sunday, 30 July 2023 20:36 (eight months ago) link
Rob playing bass AND a bit of hi-hat too? Nice!
― Stomp Jomperson (dog latin), Tuesday, 1 August 2023 12:07 (eight months ago) link
Why is C’mon Kids not on streaming?
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 18 August 2023 04:02 (eight months ago) link
are you also in the USA? might have something to do with Mercury records’ rights
― brimstead, Friday, 18 August 2023 04:40 (eight months ago) link
It's on Spotify in the UK, um, kids .
― Mark G, Friday, 18 August 2023 05:39 (eight months ago) link
Boo
― Bee OK, Friday, 18 August 2023 20:38 (eight months ago) link
At it not being on Spotify US
― Bee OK, Friday, 18 August 2023 20:39 (eight months ago) link