Giant Steps

Allez, on continue le périple à travers ce pavé de 1001 albums, et aujourd'hui, on s'attaque à un monument de la pop anglaise de 1993, un disque qui, à l'époque, a mis tout le monde d'accord : "Giant Steps" des Boo Radleys. Un album que le NME et Select ont élu "album de l'année". Pour comprendre "Giant Steps", il faut se replacer dans le contexte. Début des années 90, la scène indépendante britannique est encore largement dominée par ce que la presse a baptisé, avec un certain mépris, le "shoegazing". Vous savez, ces groupes de jeunes gens à franges qui semblaient passer leurs concerts à contempler leurs pédales d'effets, noyant des mélodies pop parfaites sous des tonnes de guitares brumeuses et réverbérées. Ride, Slowdive, Chapterhouse... Et la liste est longue. Les Boo Radleys, originaires de Liverpool, faisaient partie de cette mouvance et leurs premiers efforts, bien que prometteurs, les plaçaient fermement dans cette catégorie un peu morose. La blague qui tournait dans les rédactions des canards musicaux de l'époque, c'était de les fusionner en un seul nom, "Slowdriveride", pour se moquer de l'uniformité de la scène. Et puis, en 1993, "Giant Steps" et le titre n'est pas anodin car cet album est un pas de géant. Les Boo Radleys ont décidé de faire sauter la baraque, ils ont pris leur son shoegaze, l'ont passé à la moulinette et en ont ressorti un disque mutant, une créature de Frankenstein pop absolument fascinante et complètement démesurée. Le mot qui revient dans le bouquin pour le décrire est "kaléidoscopique", et putain, c'est le mot juste. On passe d'une pop sixties aux harmonies vocales dignes des Beach Boys à des murs de guitares bruitistes, on fait un détour par le dub, le reggae, on flirte avec des cuivres mariachis pour finir sur du rock psychédélique. C'est un bordel monstre, une orgie sonore, un feu d'artifice permanent. Et c'est là que le disque est à la fois génial et épuisant. Le génie, il est total sur certains morceaux. "Lazarus", par exemple, ce titre est un monolithe. Un chef-d'oeuvre absolu qui commence comme une ballade mélancolique avant d'exploser en une bacchanale de cuivres et de guitares noisy. C'est le genre de morceau qui justifie à lui seul la présence d'un album dans cette foutue liste. "I Hang Suspended", "Wish I Was Skinny" ou "Barney (...and Me)" sont d'autres exemples de la capacité du songwriter Martin Carr à écrire des chansons pop parfaites, accrocheuses, intelligentes, qui vous donnent la pêche pour la journée. Il y a une ambition folle dans ce disque, une volonté de tout essayer, de repousser toutes les limites du format pop. On sent les mecs en studio, excités comme des puces, se dire "Et si on rajoutait un peu de dub ici ? Et là, un solo de trompette ? Allez, soyons fous !". Cet enthousiasme est communicatif et pendant une bonne quarantaine de minutes, on est emporté par ce tourbillon créatif. Mais voilà, le problème, c'est que le disque dure plus d'une heure et compte 17 titres. Et c'est là tout le problème car tu as beau avoir un appétit d'ogre, au bout du quinzième plat, même si c'est du homard, tu commences à caler. La deuxième moitié de l'album, malgré quelques fulgurances, souffre de cette longueur. Les expérimentations semblent moins inspirées, les chansons plus convenues, et la fatigue s'installe. On se dit qu'avec un bon coup de ciseaux, en virant cinq ou six titres, on tenait là un des plus grands albums de la décennie. En l'état, on a un très, très bon album, mais un album qui s'essouffle sur la durée. C'est un disque pour les initiés, un disque qui demande un effort. Il faut être dans le bon état d'esprit pour s'enfiler "Giant Steps" d'une traite. Contrairement à un "Loveless" de My Bloody Valentine qui, malgré sa densité, reste concis et va droit au but, "Giant Steps" prend des chemins de traverse, s'égare, revient, repart... C'est un disque généreux, peut-être trop. C'est un album monumental de part son ambition qui a osé dynamiter les codes de l'indie pop de l'époque et des morceaux comme "Lazarus" resteront à jamais gravés dans le marbre. Mais son principal défaut est aussi sa plus grande qualité : sa folle générosité. Il a voulu trop en donner, et à force, il m'a un peu perdu en route. Un album à écouter, absolument. À aimer en entier ? C'est une autre paire de manches. Au final, une note de 3/5 qui n'est pas une sanction, mais un constat.

The only thing I had heard from these before was the song Wake Up, Boo. I expected this to be a load more of the same, summery 90s guitar-pop, but it was very different and I kinda dig it.

The Boo Radleys’ Giant Steps is an ambitious but uneven blend of shoegaze noise and Britpop melody, stretched across 17 tracks and 64 minutes that often feel overlong. At its best, the band’s melodic instincts shine—“I Hang Suspended” opens with jangly guitars and driving drums, “Wish I Was Skinny” delivers tender, Death Cab–like vocals, and “Thinking of Ways” channels Beatles-esque harmonies and orchestration. “Barney (...and Me)” balances sunny strumming with bursts of feedback, while “If You Want It, Take It” highlights tasteful guitar work despite overly delicate vocals. But the sequencing falters, with experimental detours like “Upon 9th and Fairchild” breaking early momentum and the back half bogged down by indulgence. The result is a bold statement that, trimmed of excess, might have stood as a Britpop classic—flawed but often rewarding in its best moments.

3 Stars (8/15)

Skills

The Boo Radleys got their name from Harper Lee's classic novel and this record's title from John Coltrane's essential 1960 album, odd works of art to proclaim for a pop act such as this. But beyond the cryptic allusions lies a solid enough release, a collection of tracks that teeters between The La's and My Bloody Valentine, The Stone Roses and The Pixies, sweet acoustics and distorted violence. Lyrically too, it swings from the transparent to the obscure: 'Wishin' I had money / Wishin' for the time to spend it all'; 'I've got nothing against not being proud / to me it's alright.' At sixty-four mins tho, the fusion of pop and experiment sprawls lamely, leaving you w/ four or five tracks that boast a legitimate raison d'être, heralded by 'Lazarus.'

I had never heard of this band, so I’m glad to have been introduced through this project. The lyrics and vocal delivery are vey of their time, but not unpleasant by any stretch. Being shoegaze, the fuzzy guitar is a focus of many of the tracks and it doesn’t disappoint. The songwriting variety avoids the pitfall of many similar efforts, but the length of the record does the same thing: overstays its welcome. There is a very strong record to be found with some liberal edits, but it gets slightly diluted by the breadth of ideas.

Thinking of Ways sounds like a late-60s Beach Boys/Brian Wilson (may he rest in peace) composition. Comparable to some of the unreleased Smile material, or maybe a few tracks off Surf's Up or Sunflower, especially with the vocal harmonies and otherworldly feel. Quite a few songs on this record are focused on the acoustic guitar, and end up being some of the highlights as a result. Wish I Was Skinny is (unusually for a post-punk band) almost danceable with its lighthearted pop-guitar feel. The sound apocalypse at the end of the song is also worth a shoutout – at least it's better than a gradual fade-out. Lazarus is another very strong track. The guitar-synth interplay is fun. Reminds me a bit of Bowie, who coincidentally released a track called Lazarus 23 years later. Barney (...and Me) is, in my mind, a reprise of Wish I Was Skinny, and it's a welcome break from some of the other tracks. So, why not 5 stars? Well, it's these "other tracks" that I have a problem with. Beginning with the opener (I Hang Suspended), there are some extremely harsh noise-tracks dotted throughout the record that bring us back to the post-punk reality of this list and of the time period. Fortunately there aren't many of them, but enough that you could easily remove songs like Upon 9th And Fairchild, Butterfly McQueen, and Take the Time Around (among others) to reduce this album to a reasonable length and get rid of the very obvious filler. The singing is also not great, and though the producers try to obscure this by putting the vocals through some weird quality-lowering filters, this only highlights the issue. Ah, well. There's enough good material on Giant Steps to get by. 3/5 Key tracks: Wish I Was Skinny, Thinking of Ways, Barney (...and Me), Lazarus

The variety on this album is what makes this album really intriguing. It’s got the poppy indie rock sound, with an accompaniment of some scuzzy shoegaze flavour. The opening on Upon 9th and Fairchild was awesome, screeching guitars with a smooth bassline and then they randomly toss in an almost reggae like guitar riff and then it takes yet another turn with a jangly country like vibe all while the vocals and bassline hold steady. It’s by far my favourite track and is one I’ve added to my go to playlists because it’s just so interesting. There are several other captivating tunes on this release. It does run a little long but overall I really enjoyed this. Didn’t love it quite enough for a 4 but a strong 3.5 stars

I saw a lot of mention of brit pop in the reviews, so I went into this kind of skeptical. It was much better than expected.

Lots of noise with some good hooks.

Didn’t have to listen to this before I died, you sit on a throne of lies

This shit was silly. At the beginning it feylt like I was listening to an early nine inch nails, and at the end, it felt like it was an early American Football. I liked the general vibe, favorite track was wish I was skinny.

This one gets a 3 but it is a fun 3 not a meh 3. There is variety between individual tracks, but as a whole it blends together. Perfectly adequate britpop. Still it is probably is worth another listen to!

Pas mal je ne connaissais pas.

Pretty solid lil mixy

I like all of the components. The songs, instruments, arrangements etc. somehow not quite greater than the sum of its parts, but I would listen to this again.

I quite liked a few of these songs but it did get a bit repetitive and dragged on a bit too long for my liking Was nowhere near as bad as some of these ratings here make out 3 ⭐️

Some decent 90s Britpop with some good ideas and catchy hooks. The album couldn't maybe been a bit tighter and more cohesive by cutting a couple songs.

"Wish I Was Skinny" is some nice enjoyable soft indie-rock sounding music. It sounds a lot like Guster, or Peach Pit, who I like. "Barney (...and me)" is a jam. "Best Lose the Fear" is nice. This album had a bunch of nice songs on it, and a bunch of boring songs. I definitely enjoyed it most of it, but didn't love much of it. They could've cut some songs out of this one. 6/10

Doesn't get boring but it's all a bit shit.

A name I’d heard but I’ve never listened to them. It’s alright, some of the songs are a bit weak and the singing / playing not the best. I enjoyed some of the noisier songs and unusual instrumentation

Solides Album aber zu lang und zuviel Beiwerk.

It went on too long.

I didn't listen to the whole album. I listened to the 1st three tracks. I really liked the guitar riffs. Reminded me of Smashing Pumpkins. The vocals seemed to trying to hard to be ethereal.

Records like this are why Gen X were known as the “slacker” generation.

It had its moments. 3/5

Unexpected pleasure.

Based on the description, I kind of expected to hate this. But, it really wasn't that bad. Very 1993, but not bad.

J’y ai vu des précurseurs de Coldplay, Weezer peut-être. Correct dans l’ensemble. Ne sonne pas très original depuis notre point de vue actuel

Felt like a two but I was in a shit mood yesterday so probably really a 3.

A decent listen. A heavily psychedelic influence permeates a brit-pop sound that has quite found it's legs yet and is reflecting the sound of other indie acts of the time. Overall, it's a pretty good sound. Would listen again.

I actually thought The Boo Radleys were a one hit wonder I was surprised they had so many albums. I quite enjoyed this album there was no standout track that grabbed me though.

They're named after a character in "To Kill A Mockingbird", they named an album the same name as another legendary album, and there are several references to pop culture throughout the album. This has to be a disaster, right? It's still versatile Alternative Rock, and I thought it would be much worse. It's not going to blow your mind away, but it won't melt it either. Favorite Track: "The White Noise Revisited".

01) I Hang Suspended - 6,0 02) Upon 9th and Fairchild - 6,5 03) Wish I Was Skinny - 7,0 04) Leaves and Sand - 6,0 05) Butterfly McQueen - 6,0 06) Rodney King (Song for Lenny Bruce) - 6,5 07) Thinking of Ways - 6,0 08) Barney (...and Me) - 6,5 09) Spun Around - 5,5 10) If You Want It, Take It -6,0 11) Best Lose the Fear -6,5 12) Take the Time Around - 6,5 13) Lazarus - 7,0 14) One Is For - 6,5 15) Run My Way Runway - 5,0 16) I've Lost the Reason - 6,0 17) The White Noise Revisited - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,24 (62/100) Current ranking: 451/603

Jangle, fuzz, spacey, these guitars have it all. I want to spend more time with this album but I don't know if it pulled me in enough to where I want to carve out the time. It's a tough call. 3.5/5

This wasn’t bad. Not great enough that I think I’ll ever go back to it, but I appreciate their creativity, they don’t sound like everybody else. There are lots of different ideas on here.

From the name to the cover art to the sound i found this band very confusing

First song, I was pretty over it. More British Indie Pop. Bahhhhh. But.. it gets better as it goes on. It gets more interesting. Vocals and guitars get a little more obscure and experimental, but still kind of keep that classic indie rock sound. This was fine. Not something I really gravitate towards or listen to frequently, but it did get better as it went on.

This was good. There was a lot of variety in this record that hit a lot more than it missed. Favourite Track(s): Thinking of Ways, If You Want It, Take It, I've Lost the Reason Least Favourite Track(s): Leaves and Sand, The White Noise Revisited

Rating: 6/10 Pretty good indie rock, sounds like Billy Corgan.

basic ahh 90s music

Alternative

Det blir for langt, men skiva går i flere interessante retninger.

Cool, need to listen more, like the mix of rock and groove

Some duff tracks on this

"I wish I Was skinny" is sending me. I liked!

Som Ween minus tull

I have to listen to this again. I'm on the fence here. I think this sounds like just the thing i like, but it's just not there. It sounds exactly like what I love, but it's a little too long, not many catchy tunes, I don't know. I'm gonna give it a 3. Might change my mind later.

Fun rock album, with some cool samples earlier on. 3/3.5 stars.

Too long and ended poorly but I mostly enjoyed this album from a band I didn't know. My fave part was in the middle with "Barney (and Me)" and "If You Want It, Take It." The Boo Radleys didn't totally take it, but I moderately enjoyed listening to it. I also want to throw the gauntlet down on writing the most obnoxious reviews.

I Hang Suspended...whatever Upon 9th...Interesting. I dunno but I think I could like this with multiple listens Wish I Was Skinny...old school teenage dream vibe I like Leaves & Sand...interesting sound and movement but is it a good song? meh Butterfly McQueen...again, interesting. But who is this for? Rodney King has a nice groove Thinking of Ways is aggressively British and I appreciate it Barney...Is that a Flute? Wtf is happening? Ok, I like it Spun Around...boring intro but I liked it by the end If You Want It...Pretty boring compared to everything else. Was this the radio friendly track? Best Lose the Fear is generic Take This Time Around...don't hate it but it feels like filler Lazarus...huh, I like the instrumental breakdown. Don't care for the rest One Is For...an unnecessary but appreciated acoustic interlude Run My Way Runway...Here's an experimental sound collage for you sickos! I've Lost the Reason...Like several other tracks, I really like some parts but not others The White Noise Revisited...plodding Now that I'm reading this it sounds more negative than I actually feel about it. I don't know how much I'll come back to this album in the future but it kind of won me over in the end.

kind of a mixed bag! there were some songs that i thought sounded cool, the guitar sound especially sounded a bit like oasis except with more interesting chord changes, but many of the other songs were either too experimental or too distortion-heavy for my taste. this is another band i've never heard of even by reputation and judging by their seemingly relatively low cultural impact seems to be included on this list mostly as a personal favorite of the author's

Didn’t care for the noise tracks, but really liked the tracks that had a more Britpop vibe. Overall, a mixed bag but leaning more to the positive side.

It's ok. I noticed that I can only enjoy this kind of genre when it's raining or in a quiet environment; otherwise, I start to tune out.

It is an alright album that suffers from a tiny bit of identity crisis.

En rekke fine låter pakket inn på en spennende måte. Nesten 4 ⭐️

Fine

A mix of different 90s rock sounds. Nothing extraordinary.

head banging to the first song. lowkey really like this and im only 2 songs in. this is good im loving the vibes. Wish I was skinny im loving. song 6 from albums are always my fav and im loving this whole album. so my vibe. album is differnt to anything produced today, can tell its all real and authentic bunch of guys just having fun. different but good different.

This was a knife edge by the end, the second last song I thought was the best on the album. Unfortunately they finished off the album with a 5 minute song that was 4 minutes too long. I enjoyed it, but would it have a relisten? Probably not

This was probably the best of the show gaze run we’ve had. More energetic, easier listen but saying that doubtful I’d go back. Snuck a 3

Zwischendurch ganz schön, melodisch, dann aber wieder Brüche, und in meinen Ohren Krach.

Hyggligt men plattan efter är mycket bättre.

I can't believe Interpol cited the Boo Radleys as an influence.

I've complained about Britpop on at least 15 reviews, including ones not by Britpop bands. There's a reason why it's usually listed as one of my least favorite genres on the summary page. 16 now because the Boo Radleys sound like a Britpop band in crisis. Do we become something more interesting? Or stick with generic blandness? Throughout "Giant Steps," the Boo Radleys repeatedly appear to take giant steps outside the genre, only to get sucked back in by the immense gravitational force of Britpop. Thanks to the 1001, I too have been repeatedly sucked into the black hole of Britpop - but soon, no more!

It's fine. It is identifiably 90s. It sometimes has that jangly sound like it could be a precursor to Belle and Sebastian. Mostly I am disappointed that after 1073 albums I am still asking "why is this album on the list".

This album has songs consisting of mostly noise and sound effects punctuated by great examples of pop brilliance. Yet even on some of those songs, this band feels compelled to add an extended outro of noise to an otherwise good song.

Enjoyed this. Much more interesting than the more commercialised stuff they did

Album of youth alert! Psychedelic, dub, indie, shoegaze, a heady and seemingly intriguing mix. While it’s diverse, inventive and an interesting listen, with some good songs and moments, it always feels a bit disjointed and somewhat lightweight. While I’ve been drawn back on occasion over the years (usually because I want to hear Lazarus), I can’t ever remember doing so for more than one listen before ignoring it again for years. It just doesn’t grab you and shout ‘play me again’. It’s a good effort though, and I do recall seeing them at Glastonbury in the 90s, they were cracking live (I think, bit hazy on that).

Pretty pretty pretty good

Liked it and will listen to it more. The noisy approach was fun, original and entertaining.

This is fine. Nothing mind-blowing, nothing horribly offensive. Straight-ahead 90s alterna-pop that made great background music at work.

It was nice, standard 90s music. Enjoyed it but it didn't blow me away.

Missed this on. Never heard of album or the band. Looks like Lazarus was a hit. A little too noisy for me. Some production seems a bit gimmicky.

Didn't know much of the Boo Radleys beyond the obvious chart stuff. Thought this was a nice album - of its time but hasn't aged badly.

Really interesting, I enjoyed the variety. A great mix of sounds.

Sometimes interesting experimenting, whiffs of Incubus but more wandering than driving.

Nice.

A good if uninteresting album. Good next deep dive into shoegaze id you want it.

Some interesting and good songs mixed with some experimental songs. Not an album i would listen through from start to finish again but the songs I liked might be something I will add to playlists.

Det var väldigt bra i början men sen gick det lite utför. Tror faktiskt jag lyssnat på detta albumet tidigare och hade lite samma upplevelse.

Not bad at all! Great music to have in the background while you're working or cleaning or whatever.

No bad

Favorite Track: Lazarus

Right off the bat I was excited for this album for two main reasons: First, I had no idea who this band was, never heard of them. And second, I adore the album cover. It feels psychedelic but not like in a fun, colorful way. It is colorful, but it’s like dower muddled colors and it feels depressing. Which I was all very interested in. And aside from the cover my biggest praise of the album is that the production decisions and the overall sound of the album is wholly unique and intriguing. The problem, however, is that out of the 17 songs making up over an hour of music, I only liked 4 songs enough to save them (Lazarus, take the Time Around, Wish I Was Skinny, and my favorite track, Rodney King - Song for Lenny Bruce). Overall I find it hard to dislike this album despite so much of it is forgettable and skippable. It’s just so creative and most importantly DIFFERENT. Nothing sounds like this album and I can really appreciate that a lot. That being said I’m not going to remember this album until I stumble upon it in a record store, and that is IF I stumble upon it in a record store.

Shoegaze and noise pop? I feel like I like this style more than other psychedelic rock/pop genres. I like that this has 90s rock sound but wish it was less noisy ha

Finally caught up. Strong group

Liked the instrumentation. The vocals were okay

Interesting but not for me.

OK, but not that good.

Местами мелодично и интересно, но в некоторых треках есть раздражающие музыкальные завывания. Поэтому только 6,5 из 10.

Better than I anticipated. I would have liked it better if it was about 30 minutes shorter.

Fairly enjoyable but probably not something I'll listen to again.

A bit naff, ok but background music only

I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I enjoyed this album. It sounds very much like 90s indie/alternative, in a good way. I would listen again.

Allt í lagi en á ekkert erindi á þennan lista finnst mér. Lazarus er gott lag.

ok'ish, even rather good Beatles'hy rock

Listenable! Inspired Straylight Run and Connor Oberst, no doubt!

New band on my radar. Very solid rock. Loved the guitar distortion stylings. No standout tunes really.

My experience with british Pop from this list has been kind of miserable, so, after seeing the genre and the reviews of this album, I prepared myself to submit to another bland Pop album. However, I was surprised. This album is subtle and a bit experimental, as some cuts felt like song coming from Shoegaze and Dream Pop. Certaintly something to standout from the more generic and boring albums from the orginal genre this album comes from. If I give this a 3 star instead of 4, it's because it is more lengthy than it should have been un my opinion.

90s good getting to goth. deep tunes.

mid

Mash up of 60s and 80s pop.

Some fun moments but overall boring and there's too much of it

This was generally a nice experience, although I did not enjoy the 'noisy' parts. I saved a couple of songs, though. 3 stars

3 out of 5. Sometimes pleasant but overstayed its welcome.

Good listen, maybe got a bit long at the end but overall good songs on this.

Decent band that does a good job of switching it up. They find good grooves and end them right on time. Seems like the singer is the weakest part (both in vocals and lyrics), but maybe the raw nature of his style is what’s appealing? The use of flute or clarinet is nice.

I had also never heard of this, but a fun listen!! Lots of variety and great instrumentation. Didn't love overall but prob like a 3.5

It's alright and I appreciate the variety. There's a lot of good moments which outweigh the medium bits, but this hardly feels essential.

Interesting, but too long. Innovative, but few standouts.

i hand suspended- 5 upon 9th and fairchild- 5 wish I was skinny- me too bitch. 6 or 7 leaves and sand- 5 butterfly mcqueen- 5 Rodney king- crazy thing to write a song about but i think it was done well? 6 thinking of ways- 5 barney- 5 spun around- 5 if you want it take it- 5 best lose the fear- 5 take the time around- 5 lazarus- 5 or 6 one is for- 5 run my way runway- 5 I've lost the reason- 5 the white noise revisited- 5

Quite fine. Martin Carr also has at least one good solo tune.

Wildly forgettable.

This is one which might grow on me given time. As it stands there's some interesting ideas here and I appreciate the band trying to synthesise a bunch of different influences into their work, but it doesn't quite hang together as well as I'd have liked. Some good stuff in here, but it's definitely a little inconsistent.

Decent

I really enjoyed the last song. It was a fun vibe but wasn’t enamoured. I’ve heard better albums called Giant Steps.

Better than I expected.

Highlights: Wish I Was Skinny, Lazarus Generally enjoyed this, but a little overly long and didn’t completely vibe with everything.

I kinda liked it!

There is some interesting stuff in here but also some stuff that is just weird to be weird.

Started well but no need to be over an hour long

Some nice 90's alt rock that dips its' toes into a lot of different genres on a track by track basis. I thought it was a nice listen, however it felt like their sound struggled with being cohesive and it seemed a bit aimless I think? The first three tracks go from: a straightforward alt rock tune with a catchy hook, to then an eerie bass heavy groove with heavily distorted vocals to then a chipper super clean guitar driven pop rock song with soft trumpets. By the time I was 10 minutes into the album, I really didn't have any idea for what would come next. I figured that that facet would be a weak point for me while listening to this, but I have to admit that as time went on I really started to like the flow of the album. When I got to the track "Thinking of Ways", it felt like I had been listening to a Sufjan Stevens record, with a soft tentative voice on top of cacophonous brass and synths. It ended up being a nice record but not really one that I would find myself reaching for.

Not run of the mill rock; some interesting ideas but definitely doesn't need to be over an hour long.

i went into this with low expectations thanks to the genre listing on wikipedia but came out of it pleasantly surprised by how much i liked it. i wouldve given it a 4 if they made the effort cut a few of the weaker tracks

Hints of early Britpop, some melodic indie vibes and flavours of shoegaze. But it doesn’t really lean hard enough into any one lane so it’s left me feeling a bit mixed. I like a lot of the ideas but as a whole album it just lacks coherence and direction. Somehow less than the sum of its parts, in spite of it having some cool parts. I feel a bit bad for them that it was the cheerily basic ‘Wake Up Boo’ that subsequently made them a bit of a name in the UK. This earlier stuff is far more interesting but maybe it’s a lesson (for us all?) in what sells. Unsurprisingly enough, if you want to sell a lot of records you kinda need to make something catchy. Three plays through of Giant Steps was very interesting but ultimately not enough of it really stuck with me.

Too long but a decent listen

It’s fine but totally unmemorable. Why is this here?

some very, very cool stuff. some very bad, noisy grunge stuff. and a lot of very mediocre stuff

I feel torn on this album. On the one hand it deserves to be on the list - it’s interesting. But ultimately the songs just aren’t that great.

3 I don’t really feel like I have a ton of strong feelings on this album. I saw this described somewhere as shoegaze, a genre I’m normally a pretty big fan of, and while I feel like it sort of is in some ways, mostly I would say it’s not? Which, honestly, is kind of a generalization regarding my feelings on this album as a whole - it’s almost something, whatever that something may be, it never quite reaches it. I’ve also seen some people hail this album as being pretty diverse, but once again, while I wouldn’t outright disagree with that statement, I’ve certainly heard much more diverse-sounding albums than this one. For every decent song, there’s one equally as annoying, and there’s no reason there needed to be 17 in total - though, it’s interesting that, despite that lengthy runtime, it still never seems to establish a solid sense of identity. Regardless, there are some enjoyable moments to be found, with Wish I Was Skinny, Rodney King, and Lazarus being a few choice selections, though far and away the best song here is Barney (...And Me). If there’s any appreciation I’m walking away with, it’s probably coming from that song. That, and the dude’s vocals - there’s a soft, tender quality to them I dug and that reminded me quite a bit of Elliott Smith in some places. Overall, I would describe this album as more good than it is bad, but it’s still a mostly unremarkable experience. Barney might find itself joining my Spotify shuffle at some point, but outside of that, I don’t think there’s much this album has for me.

I should like this more than I do. 20s Astrid probably would. Not that interesting but fine.

Waaaay better than I was expecting from the one song I know of there’s. This is like a different band. Some songs like Rodney King is almost like a lite-MBV. Flirts a lot with shoegaze at times but still has that britpoppy sound. All that said, it never really grabbed me in any way, not like shoegaze does anyway, and not like Blur do either from the other side of their spectrum. Surprisingly canny though!

This was definitely not what I expected, it's definitely a Britpop record but it also pulls a lot from shoegaze too so it reminded me a bit of the band Ride? Who kinda occupied a similar niche? And this feels like it has some pretty strong Beach Boys influences at times too. It's like Beach Boys meets My Bloody Valentine meets Blur. There's a little bit of jazz influence going on too. I liked it, but it's a little zany and try-hard, to be honest. I don't think it's a must listen but it scratches a lot of itches of things I'm already predisposed to liking which is why it's a 3 and not a 4 or 5. I just wish it didn't feel so try-hard about being eclectic intentionally because I really want to love this record, it has all the ingredients for something I would like. But as is it reminds me a bit of a Mike Patton project which is NOT a compliment coming from me.

Another one that's, you know, fine.

That bassline on Upon 9th and Fairchild is a real groove. Very 3rd wave ska. Not sure I like the vocal effects...Also Digging Barney and Me. I wish we still had physical soundcards, so I could have listened to the end of Spun Around backwards and figured out what they were saying. Too many take your times at the end of take your time. Then we head right into a Clash-esque instrumentation in Lazarus. F yeah, throw some noisecore in. Why not? This was a fun album, and a fun band. I wouldn't mind listening to them, or this particular album again. :star: :star: :star:

Album was cool, nothing spectacular. I think maybe I listened in the wrong setting but I wasn’t moved.

This album is all over the place. Highlight for me was Thinking of Ways. 3 stars.

This falls into the niche subset of generator entries that I like to call ‘albums by one-hit wonders that don’t include their one hit’. I’m torn. One the one hand I didn’t really love any of it, and 64 minutes is awfully long for an album without a single standout track. On t’other hand I didn’t dislike any of it - it was pleasant enough to listen to, with dreamlike qualities every now and then. I also respect the ambition and scope of the music, even if they don’t have the songs to match. 2.5 stars, generously rounded up.

Schizophrenic would not be a bad choice of word for this review - I genuinely couldn't get a read on what sort of band the Boo Radleys wanted to be here. Sometimes it's gangly Beatles-like pop, sometimes dub infused post punk, sometimes noise rock... This could be three decent albums, but flitting between these at seemingly random intervals starts to wear on me after a while.

Britpop for the American mainstream rock fan meant "Wonderwall" or "Song 2" and the UK music press mediated rivalry (perhaps "Connection" if you were open to female fronted Alternative bands), Although there are some 4AD disciples who would argue that the shoegazer genre proliferated during the 1990s with My Bloody Valentine producing record label bankrupting albums of blissful sound and fury, it just wasn't being spun by Casey Kasam. Britpop aficionados would protest apoplectically about Pulp, Cornershop's Brimful of Asha, St. Etienne, Suede, The Stone Roses and any number of NME's Next Big Thing on an Island, but some of the retrospectively revered were obscure in their own time. Eventually Britpop both would and would not reach a fevered pitch with perpetual critics' darlings, Radiohead. The Boo Radleys had a hit record and single in 1995, but it flew above or under my radar. Giant Steps starts out with guitar feedback and audio samples, a staple of what passed as underground music in the UK (see Huggy Bear's "Our Troubled Youth" a split LP with Bikini Kill), and it builds to a catchy neo-psychedelic hook laden "I Hang Suspended." "Upon 9th and Fairchild" is build on a Reggae rhythm adorned with feedback saturated guitar. "Wish I Was Skinny" is melodic power pop with handclap beats and strummed guitars, vocalist is trying to out-Dando the Lemonheads vocalist with sweet yearning, but the music is more complex than anything on "It's a Shame About Ray." I appreciate the chameleonic nature of the Boo Radleys, their consistent distorted guitar unifies everything. "Leaves and Sands" begins softly strumming before a jarring dynamic shift, effects pedals deployed strategically as the guitar tone evolves throughout the song, alternating between soft and ear bleeding. Butterfly McQueen begins as an homage to the Beatles "Blackbird" before morphing into the horn heavy psychedelic wall of noise from Magical Mystery Tour, before becoming a stummed power pop song with vocal harmonies, and then swirling psychedelic tones. "Rodney King - Song For Lenny Bruce" is better than the best My Bloody Valentine track, lurching like a psychedelic merry-go-round. "Thinking of Ways" starts like "Scarborough Fair" that morphs into Syd Barrett demented chamber pop with Beach Boys harmonies and inevitable The Velvet Underground noise with Freakbeat tape experiments. "Barney (...and Me)" reminds me the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" and then the flute comes in, stunning! The Boo Radleys don't seem content to simply let a simple pop song exist without melding it with studio experimentation, sonic allusions, dynamic and genre shifts. It doesn't make Giant Steps an easy listen because the comfort of repetition is discarded, melodies start off find a groove and then the song changes completely. Not every song works, "Spun Around" is just buzzing distorted vocals bereft of melodic ideas, interrupted by backwards vocal samples and nothing memorable. "If You Want It, Take It" comes to the rescue, vintage organ and guitar noodling. "Best Lose the Fear" starts off sounding like the theme song of a 1970s sitcom before it becomes a breezy pop song. "Take The Time Around" has the feedback freakouts of Dinosaur Jr. and quietly contemplative pop passages. "Lazarus" sounds like a dub outtake from the Clash's Sandinista album, shimmering tones alternating in stereo until it hits the one minute mark and it turns into a distorted horn section over electric guitar, before becoming a soft summery pop song with chiming strummed guitars and "ba ba ba ba" background vocals. "One is For" plucked guitar and ambient noise. Considering that the album was originally mastered to seamlessly transition from one track to another, listening to digital versions with even momentary disruption is a less than ideal introduction to Giant Steps. This album demands repeated listening. "The White Noise Revisited" (which name drops the Beatles) and "I've Lost the Reason" are a bit too heavily invested in effects which make it sound like the vocalist is singing into a rotating fan blade, the unadorned pop choruses are not enough to temper the distracting stylistic choices.

The Boo Radleys? The same Boo Radleys who did 'Wake Up Boo!'? I didn't expect them to sound very much the opposite of that happy, upbeat song. This was a bit of a mixed bag. The more happy upbeat pop tunes were decent, the more rock orientated tracks weren't too bad. But mixed in between was the more shoe-gazey songs. I don't like using the words "just noise" to describe music, I think it's lazy and simply not true, but genuinely some of it sounded like just noise. It often changes tone quickly as well. From one nice pop track to droning, wailing guitars. I'm not against that type of music at all, but on this album it gets very irritating quite quickly. It didn't seem like it was a good fit, it's quite a jarring shift in tone and volume. Listen to 'Spun Around' to hear what I mean. Still, there were some good tracks as well. The more radio friendly it was, the better. Cut the length down by 20 - 30 minutes and you'd have an easy 4 star album, perhaps even full marks. As it is, it's a bit bland and bloated.

a couple gems on here. overall it was ok. added a couple songs to my playlist.

Far, far too long

Enjoyed it more than expected, but not sure why it's on here, doesn't sound revolutionary.

What a pleasant way to start the beginning of the year.

Listen, generator. We need to talk. It’s the last day of 2024. Everyone is doing stuff to celebrate, whether they are partying or jerking off. Or both if they are in an orgy. Why the fuck are you giving me an hour-long album by a band I have never heard of and threatening me with genres like “shoegaze”, “britpop”, and “indie”? I mean, it wasn’t bad. Surprisingly, it just a mixture of harmless alternative 90’s music and semi-wannabe My Bloody Valentine. But I have two questions: 1. What about this is “must-do before dying” material? 2. Why a fucking hour? It’s way too much. It’s eventually going to drag. Look, it’s been nearly 100 albums. You given me some good stuff and some questionable stuff. I don’t mind that you given me two Leonard Cohen albums back-to-back. I don’t care that you gave me a lot of live albums. But I do care when you give me long albums on holidays, especially mid ones. So please, in 2025, be nicer to me. Here’s to a new year of music. Favorite track: Wish I Was Skinny Other hits: god, I guess Hang Suspended, Lazarus, If You Want It,Take It maybe. You think I fucking remembered them all?

No idea what to expect here. Only indication of what to expect is that it’s released in early 90s. The song Barney was quite good. Good little record.

Weird, but strangely enjoyable.

This was mostly fine and reasonably enjoyable, but it got aggressively bad at the end. Way to end on a sour note, guys. 2.7

Pre-listening thoughts: I’m not sure what’s going on with the album cover but that about sums up my feelings about what I’m about to walk into. A 90s album by a band I’ve never heard of named after a famous jazz album? Curious. Post/during listening thoughts: This is almost good. There’s a little bit too much “noise” in here for me but I have to say on the whole I am more keen on it than other 90s albums of this genre that we’ve gotten before. Still doesn’t save it from a 3 star rating. I’m just not a fan of the “shoegaze-y” songs sorry 5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: I Hang Suspended, Wish I Was Skinny, Thinking of Ways, Barney (…and Me), Best Lose the Fear Least fav tracks: Upon 9th and Fairchild, Leaves and Sand, Spun Around, Run My Way Runway

I thought this album was about 10 years newer than it is. It has more of a 2000s indie vibe to my ears. I didn't mind it for the most part, but it was a little boring to me. I doubt I'll remember this in a month from now.

A relic from a time when Creation Records stood for something. Boo Radleys hit a rich vein of form starting with this record. Sunshine melodies crossed with shoegaze distortion, and plenty of studio experimentalism. I hear some parallels with labelmates like Super Furry Animals, Teenage Fanclub, Ride. Ultimately though, it runs a bit too long and the high spots (Wish I Was Skinny, Lazarus) are spread just a wee bit thin.

This was not nearly as bad as I feared. Still British and shoegaze-y, but some decent riffs.

Sounds like TV in the 90s

I am Thinking of Ways to like this album more but ultimately it was kinda boring tbh.

It was fine. Kept a good pace. Can hear the things it will influence pretty easily. Not sure it's one of the greatest albums ever though.

I didn’t mind this one, and found the music very representative of that era. But it was just too damn long, and it would benefit from the concept of addiction by subtraction. There are just too many throw-away songs on this album. Still, I will give it a 3.0. Probably won’t bother to listen to it again, however.

Niet slecht, maar of dit nu hierop hoort is een ander verhaal. Supergrass-achtig album. Ik heb het al in een tiental reviews geschreven, maar hier had Weezer moeten staan he. 2.6

It was okay. A lot going on and it was a long album. So it was hard to process one day

It was fine, verrrry 90s. Palatable, pleasant, fun, but also really unoriginal. Perhaps this band was very influential and thats why it all sounded vaguely familiar, but I wasnt wowed

Interesting blend of whimsical rock feeling with slightly harsher sounds

Did I hate it? No Will I listen to it again? Probably not Will I murder someone if I ever hear the words, "Hey what's that noise? Do you remember?" ever again? You bet 3/5

It's fine as a little more avante garde than typical 90's alt rock-y brit pop, but not super noteworthy outside of "Lazarus" which is great.

I wish they just picked a style… it felt way too chaotic or overloading at times. Probably wouldn’t listen front to back again… just a lot left to be desired. Lazarus was fun

First time I'd heard anything apart from "wake up Boo" which weirdly isn't on this album. It's OK, it's very bouncy, guitary, bit hippy revival. Once again on this list but nothing that has stood out for me....

Highly competent

3.5

Interesting concept, execution left a lot to be desired.

Very unique. I kind of liked it.

nicht langweilig aber warum über 1h lang?

Pretty standard 90s alternative to me.

Fine.

I was torn with this one. Some songs I loved. Others were a straight no.

Kinda nice. Kinda boring.

Wow, this is exactly the sort of super weird, High Art stuff that would tempt me to four stars. But it's grounded in 90s rock, which is generally pretty meh for me. So I'm sticking with three stars. Still, great job, guys!

The vocals are probably the weakest thing on the album. Honestly, it has some really good moments, but then some real head-scratchers, like "The White Noise Revisited" which goes on WAY too long. I did like some of the "guest" instruments on some of the songs. I wonder if they were able to reproduce the brass and flute in some of those songs live. And why such a long space silence in that first song? A lot of the tracks ran together, but it felt like forever for it to kick in. I just think with a more dynamic singer, and cutting a few songs out, this could have gone up a notch for me. As it is, it's... middling. Top tracks: "Lazarus," "Upon 9th and Fairchild," "Leaves and Sand," " I Wish I Was Skinny"

I vaguely recall these guys, or at least their band name, from the 90's. Shoegaze with a twist. Sometimes that twist was cool - the start of I Hang Suspended, Leaves and Sand, If You Want It Take It, Take the Time Around. Sometimes it was not - Upon 9th and Fairchild (was that reggae shoegaze? ugh), Rodney King (shoegaze meets dub...I dunno), Spun Around and Run My Way Runway (not even sure what they were pairing on those two). Sometimes they had too much of that Madchester / baggy sound that I don't love (Lazarus). Sometimes they went more jangly pop rock (Barney (and Me), Wish I Was Skinny), which wasn't bad. All in all it was a so-so, ambitious album. I'll give it an average score.

It's somehow nice. Somehow it floats by without any highlights. Somehow I'm not sure - therefore a "3"

All over the map, like the shoegaze stuff

Quite enjoyable 3.5

Some light British-invasion-ish songs mixed with discordant walls of noise. If I had half-stars, this would be a 2.5.

Nothing wrong with this, but not overly interesting either. Pretty average. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again

On my summary page on the 1001 list website, Shoegaze appears as one of my worst genres. I'm unsure if I agree with this, but I finally discovered what was missing: Shoegaze Orchestral Music (SOM for short). SOM is delightful. I'm amazed by it. Hey! What's that noise? It's SOM

77% Best: I Hang Suspended; Upon 9th And Fairchild; Thinking of Ways; Barney (...and Me); Best Lose the Fear; Lazarus Must-Hear? Not quite

- gefiel mir insgesamt gut, einige Parts mehr, andere weniger - ordentlich Abwechslung und tolle, kreative Ideen dabei - werde ich definitiv mal wieder hören

All over the place, genre and style wise, but most was not bad.

I like this kind of music so much more now than I did in the 90s. I must be about 30 years behind the zeitgeist. Scuzzy-sounding guitars and a nice quiet male voice, mellow and relaxing.

Not my cup of tea

I really wanted to like this album. I remember hearing about them, but I never real had or took the chance to explore their discography. Listening now, I was underwhelmed. I felt like most tracks started strong but became less enjoyable as I listened. The high reviews suggest I should give them multiple listens, but I am not excited about it. Maybe I am missing something.

is this any good i dont know im not sure

Not bad

Listened Before? N Hey, I've heard of these guys but never once listened to their music. This was a great 90s shoegaze style record. Reminds me of Dinosaur Jr. a bit. I like it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Wish I Was Skinny

I mean, yeah.

It's fine. Makes the token stab at noisy angularity, but ultimately these guys wanted to sell records.

I'd say good music, but the last two songs had sounds that really messed with my head, (or it was my headphones).

After a string of pretty uninspired hair rock, I was happy to get this album. I like the Boo Radleys - this is the music I really grew up on. Still, I’m not sure it belongs in the same conversation as some of these other great albums.

hálfgerður grautur. tilbrigði við ýmsar stefnur. þarf líklega aðra yfirferð. 3,5.

Igual me gustó

3 - wild ride

This was OK. Fairly standard indie of the time. Not sure what made this stand out to the compiler

Great indie rock album. Kind of extrovert shoegaze

Dynamisch, verrassend, origineel, maar toch pakt het me niet echt. Het is wel een leuke variatie op een bepaalde sound, maar misschien net te weinig nummers die echt aanspreken. Dit had het op-een-na-beste album dat Giant Steps heet moeten zijn in deze lijst!

разноплановый альбом, с приколюшками.

OK

Entretenido

Jee jee isoja askeleita.. HÄÄÄÄH VAUVANASKELIA VAUVAMUSIIKKI =!=! 101 tässä mitä hevlttttiHIÄ!! conceptual baby music..

This album is not bad, but not very memorable either. It also is very repetitive at times.

Boo Radley was a particular character. As a character Boo Radley was a misunderstood shut in, sort of an extreme introvert; pre-internet. Yes, he becomes a hero at the end but for the most part remained on the margins. The Boo Radleys, like their namesake, have hero qualities and a couple of good moments in the sun, but generally, as a HUGE college radio fan back in the day can attest -- they more often than not kind of sat in the background as other more well known and popular bands slipped forward. Again. (I almost sigh) they are a very good, even top notch band. It's just that so were a lot of bands, especiially of the same era. Revisiting this album makes me feel exactly the same as I did then: they kind a sort of remind you of OTHER bands that more easily come to mind.

A variety of styles that blend together well. Good post-punk, alternative album. Pretty upbeat.

Maybe a 4, but it was a little too meandering in style and composition for my taste.

Interesting compositions. Very much the indie sound of the early 1990s with a little something to stand out. I enjoyed 2 listens on a small road trip, but ultimately nothing really stuck with me.

I wasn't a massive shoegaze fan back in the day, so I'm pleased to listen to this album, which displays a bit of diversity in style. As so many albums of that time, this one kind of overstays its welcome at well over an hour. But still, a solid piece of work.

No real killer (mockingbird) songs for me. Pleasant enough but not sure why it’s on this list.

Inoffensive music from a band trying to find their niche. Sadly, they never did.

ended weird but pretty good overall

Sounds like soft alternative pop rock…or something like that. It has just enough distortion and minor chords to almost make it feel edgy. But only just almost. All in all, not terrible, though. I feel like it’s just taking up a place on this list.

Decent enough.

6/10… abwechslungsreiches Album aber wieder mal Brit Pop und was das Genre so hergibt

Calm and easy listening. Reminds me a bit of Sufjan Stevens. 3.5

The experimental song construction and instrumentation is the highlight here. Lyrics and vocal performance are run of the mill 90s britpop, but the use of jarring tempos and various synths and sirens brings a unique flavor to this effort. That being said, the lack of cohesiveness does make it difficult to find a through line at times. Clear influence on Tame Impala at points. Listened to: on a train in New England. Favorite tracks: Leaves and Sand, Rodney King

Was fine but nothing special really.

Thinking of Me and Barney (… and me) were pretty good.

Not bad overall. 3/5

Weezer but with a brass band

Just ok

Fairly strong start but became too weird and too long. Huuuuge John Steele Singers influence alert.

Interesting, a bit overwrought. May listen to again when less sober.

Was kinda cool pyschedlic pop indie vibes

I once went for a full english breakfast with Tim from The Boo Radleys, it was 1999, we were a web dev training course, and he was there to set up a website for his new recording studio. Top bloke. As for the album, it's good, but long, experimental for the time, mixing genres, but feels dated now.

I think there is probably a 4 star album in here, with the pleasant proto-Brit-pop, but I could do without the “I am the Walrus” experimentation and trim down 20mins.

As Britpop goes, this is fine. I guess I just can't hear those "giant steps" forward for the genre that this album is supposed to have. I mean, I do like it quite a bit, but I just can't get myself too hyped over it.

They're alright. I feel like they reached the appropriate level of fame.

3.5

Cool album cover. Most songs were alright with some that were not very poggers.

Had it as background, and tried a bit in headphones towards the end. Really not memorable at all, but also tolerable with a couple of groovy riffs here and there

Idk today is one of those days - I'm like 900+ albums in & this is fine. It's a 3, like a whole bunch of em. It didn't really have anything bad that made me dislike it. But it didn't have anything memorable or fucking awesome sounding either. Somedays I wonder did I REALLY need to hear this? But ok it's fine I'd gladly listen to it some more if you provided a compelling argument. Threeee Starrrrs

Only know one song by the Boo Radleys - Wake up Boo - and it's not on this album. The underlying 'sound' of this album is 90s Britpop/Indie - with elements of other influences including the Beatles. Not a bad album but no songs really 'hooked me'

The first song is one of the most sonically unpleasant things I have ever had the misfortune of hearing. I had to fight the nearly overwhelming urge to turn it off and set my ears on fire. Somehow I managed, and I found myself kinda liking the rest of the album, maybe. I listened again WITHOUT playing the first song and found this to be pretty good. Sounds very British 90s, which I guess is exactly what it is. So if you are into that, definitely give this a listen, beginning with track two.

Some decent parts, but some annoying ones.

Nice, but only nice.

I knew the name of this band from hearing the name years ago and thought, cool naming after a literary character. I knew nothing about their music. And now I know what shoe gazing means. Not a bad listen.

Another I will put as enjoyable but not sure it’s 1001 material.

All over the place. Not great not terrible. Some neat stuff, some generic stuff.

Jeez this album is long!? Felt like I’d been listening for at least an hour and I was only half way through!! Saying that, it was generally quite a good listen. Rockier than I had thought it would be. I think I did lose the plot about half way through though, possibly disheartened that I still had 8 tracks to go. Awarding it a 3 but it’s between a 2.5 and a 3.

This was a wild ride! It didn't quite fit my mood, but definitivly worth a listen.

first listen i liked the guitar tone

This album was so close to being a four or five star for me. It just hinged into the slightly too experimental instrumentation, but I do love the song I wish I was skinny.

Even as someone who likes shoegaze and some britpop this just falls pretty flat. Not bad, just not what I was hoping for from it.

Surprisingly nice listen!

Honestly, I don't remember much about listening to this. No strong feelings either way.

Interesting discovery for me. Between 3 and 4.... leaning 3.

This album feels like they've done all the styles that they could think of with the hope that some will stick - annoyingly it kinda works. Some of it is good and some of it isn't so when I look at it as a whole piece it's a bit average. If I could give it 2.5 stars I would.

Gives me later-Beatles vibes. Not bad to listen to, but not something I'm adding to my rotation.

I thought this was fine. Some strong moments, some weak moments. Has some grooves and some things going for it but it isn't consistent or inventive. Plays like an album older than it is. When this was released, better things were coming out.

I listened to about half of this

It was fine but nothing earthshaking

Thought this one was just ok. I only know these guys for "Wake Up, Boo!", which is a bit cheesy, but not too bad. There were some interesting sounds on here, but I found it faded into the background after a while. It also runs a bit too long. I did like the opener, "Rodney King", and " If You Want it Take it", but apart from those, nothing stood out much. Some nice fusion of shoegaze and indie pop, but not the best example of this I've heard. Stereolab for instance (who I got last week), did that much better around the same time.

Didn’t hit when I listened to it a decade ago, still isn’t now. I still think it’s good, just not amazing

started really well and just went to shit upset me :( 2.8/5

interesting...

This has never shown up on my radar and I was shocked, because it is quite good. I'm not quite sure it reaches the highs that it shoots for, but it is a good listen from start to finish.

Dreamy, surfy, grungy rock. Not bad, but not typically what I like to listen to. Vocals are a little shrill but it’s okay. Meh/5.

Straight alternative rock.

This was a pleasant surprise considering I had zero expectations.

Bit weird but not bad at all. Nothing really stood out though

Uhh

Honestly I was a little disappointed. I had known about the Boo Radleys but never really got into them. I was excited when I opened the app and saw the album. But as I listened to it I became disillusioned. If someone played this album for me without telling who it was I would have absolutely nailed what year it came out but would have been unable to tell you the band. That’s to say it sounded like every other indie band from ‘93. It’s not a band album. I don’t dislike it. I just don’t understand why I HAD to hear this before I died.

What is good: a) The variation. From indie to trip hop to dub to noise to ska to pop, also within single songs. b) The execution of those genres is good and seamless c) No bad songs What is not so good: a) The length. You don’t need to make 1hr+ albums just because you can b) Because of the length and the diversity, it’s really hard to get a grasp of the album. After two listens, I’m still not sure what I think of it c) No real standouts (so far) I know it’s a good album, but it hasn’t «done it» for me so far, therefore only 3 stars

This album was hard to rate. Some songs are really good. Reminiscent of some banger Britpop tunes and heavy pedal shoegaze. Other songs....yikes. Just absolutely ruined with some atrocious instrumentals that just sound like high schoolers bashing around in a garage. Which is a shame, because Britpop and shoegaze are two of my absolute favorite genres. This album had the potential to be insanely good, but they got a little too full of themselves when it came to providing listeners with a bit of edge.

It’s okay. I liked the noisy, distorted parts better than the poppier parts. Was also a bit long, making a lot of it blend together

I remember this coming out at the time and it was praised to high heaven as a work of genius. I don’t get it. It is completely unmemorable and unremarkable to me

found this a bit of a struggle today. There are elements of it i like, but long and not as instant as other records i have reviewed from this era. its fine, its okay, but i needs more effort than i want to give it

downloaded 2,6,9,16

First song, I Hang Suspended, is very 90s alternative. Upon 9th and Fairchild was great, and reminded me a little of James. Wish I Was Skinny had a 50s/early 60s vibe, while Thinking of Ways would not be out of place on Sgt. Pepper. I didn't really like these tracks. The rest of the tracks fit that 90s alternative genre. The album had a mix of songs I really enjoyed, ok songs, and songs I did not like at all. For that reason, I am giving it a 3. Favorites: 9th and Fairchild; Spun Around, If You Want It Take It Least Favorite: One is For, Run My Way Runway

Over all OK album. Nothing to write home about but also not terrible. 3/5

Put early 90s rock in a blender. Maybe 6 too many songs.

Never heard of these guys... will be interesting to check them out. Really interesting Brit-Pop. I definitely like it a lot and will revisit, but the album ended and I didn't even realize. Nothing wowed me, but nothing bored me, either. 3/5

I read a review saying the rest of us should be reviewing these albums better but I can't think of anything else to say about this album than mid. It's just all over the place. I like swaying songs like Thinking of Ways, dancy songs like Barney (and Me) but some of the other songs are just mindless. What is happening here?

Some nice moments. Feels like it's trying a bit too hard; there's too much going on. Not tight enough. But very listenable.

This travelled along many paths, some were sunlit most were foggy.

ok.

The CD era takes yet another victim with an album that has every right to be a solid albeit forgettable indie album in the forty minute range, and instead drags it out another twenty-five minutes, killing any and all momentum found at the start of the second, and only finding its footing when its too late and the album has turned into a throbbing lump of 90s, with nothing to set it apart. Saving this one from going off the deep end for me particularly is that it would be solid on a song by song basis, and that final track, while derivative of its era, is very solid and catchy; a solid homage to the Beatles, better than anything Oasis ever did, any way. I really wanted to like it, but halfway through I just gave up. No one track is bad here, it just struggles to earn its length, and left me disappointed more than upset.

Not terrible, but I can't stand these hour long britpop albums that feel like they go on forever. Chop this up into a 40 minute album and you'd have some interesting stuff here. They play around with shoegaze and other styles so it would make for a decent album, but again it's just bloated, I can't wait to turn it off by the end.

Pretty middle of the road for the style. Except for a few out there tracks at the end.

I'd only ever heard one Boo Radleys song and it was very different to these and I loved it. I liked lots of this but it didn't blow me away.

This sounds like the 90s

All the songs were easy to listen to, my favorite was “Best Lose the Fear”

Meh. Kind of a bland sounding album.

Good instrumentals. Overall not for me

Fairly varied, and open for experimentation with different genres- some work out better than others. Overall solid album but didn't blow me away

Decent albeit uneven affair. Starts strong but loses momentum. Still, enough good stuff to make it passable. Some grunginess but also some tenderness. Prefer the grunge. Very 90s album.

This what Britpop/Shoegaze should be, fun and unpretentious. This one is definitely all over the place and eccentric, which I loved, but that also means their is gonna be a few misses when the album is 17 tracks long.

I saw the title of this album and thought, “Is this some sort of John Coltrane cover album?” I was about as far off as I possibly could be. I feel like these early 90’s shoegaze albums can be very hit or miss. Granted, Loveless came out in 1991, but that is most definitely an exception. This one though? Still pretty hit or miss. The track list is very back and forth between proper creative shoegaze bangers to these experimental psychedelic dream pop songs. And the latter tend to be far less interesting. But I can respect what they were going for. Plus I can definitely hear the influence in other albums in the same vain that I love, like Velocity : Design : Comfort. The vocalist reminds me of Elliott Smith. Like a lot. But I think most would agree that Elliott conveys far more emotion through his voice than this guy does. When this album is at its best, it highlights the best parts of shoegaze and dream pop music. Which, to me, is always the chord progressions. The way the melodies move in exactly the way I want them too, and move to the perfect notes is always so satisfying. The lowlights of this album are mostly underbaked ideas that didn’t get enough time. Ideas that I find their contemporaries pull off far better. There are good things to take away from this, just not really the album as a whole. Rating: 6/10

I don’t tend to like the uuuuurgh britpop shit reviews on this site but this album really didn’t deserve its place on the list, it’s just waaay too long to be fully enjoyable 3/5

Starts out a bit all over the place with some scratchy garage rock, some of that reggae guitar sound, into an emo/whimsical tune in I Wish I Was Skinny, which happened to be a standout. This album definitely doesn't sound the same throughout with all the random instruments they throw in, I have to give it points there. Thinking of Ways is another standout that starts and finishes with a cacophony of new instruments. I'm at Spun Around and I don't really know what to make of this album. It is unexpected at every turn and there are times I think it hits, and other times it misses. I'm happy, at least, that it's not just bland from start to finish. Back to the reggae sound with Lazarus. Also happened to be a standout for me. This one fluctuated between a 2 and 3 throughout. So I'll split it down the middle and round up for their arsenal of random instruments that they employed.

This was good. I was crocheting while listening to this album, so I can say this is a nice album to just kind of vibe to if you want something playing in the background while working. I do have to agree with some of the more negative reviews on this album, however, when I say that this album is way too long. If this album had been pruned down to be about... a 10 track album, I think I would have rated this higher.

3.5

Another new band for me. I liked the mix of differnt influences throughout the album, overall pretty good