FORGOTTEN BRITPOP CLASSICS (Part 9)
Not really sure if this really qualifies in this series, for The Boo Radleys were around a long time before the Britpop era, although it was being lumped in with that movement that brought them commercial success. But I'm looking for any reason to post this great pop record.
It was actually as far back as 1988 that the band first got together, and by 1990 an EP and LP had been released on a small indie label. The music press immediately lumped them in with 'shoegazing' genre that was rather prevalent at the time, and they were soon signed to Rough Trade, the largest and best-known of the UK indie labels. Before they had even had time to record an LP, the record label collapsed, but such was the regard that the band was held in that they were immediately signed by Alan McGhee to Creation Records.
The first few releases for their new label saw the band really hit their peak, artistically and critically at least. Their 1993 LP, Giant Steps, was named record of the year by two of the UK's main music publications, but this didn't lead to any commercial success for any of the four singles taken from the LP, including this:-
mp3 : The Boo Radleys - Wish I Was Skinny
Even all those years ago, I had thought of this as one of my theme songs. As time has marched on, and my waist size hasn't diminished, it seems more pertinent than ever. Ho hum.
It would be another two years before The Boo Radleys connected with the record buying public, with this 1995 single:-
mp3 : The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo!
A song that so infectiously happy, poppy and perfect for radio that it had to be a hit - which indeed it was, reaching #9. It also led to the album from which it was taken selling by the barrowload and reaching #1.
Inevitably, the critics who had been fawning over the band all these barren years were now quick to level all sorts of accusations of selling out. Ho hum.
Within four more years it was all over, with the band seemingly making a conscious effort not to go down the hit single road ever again, no doubt to the frustration of the label bosses, but to the glee of the journos who could again go on about how we all failed to appreciate The Boo Radleys and we were all bad people for not buying their records.
Happy Listening.
4 comments:
I've written about the Boos before, as you may remember. It would be a real shame if they end up forgotten; they were a cut above the majority of the bands from the time. Giant Steps is up there with some of the best albums of all time in my opinion, never mind that particular era...
Happy happy joy joy!
Can't argue
How will we look back at the 90s in years to come? 'Wake Up Boo' should make the soundtrack.
Lovely memories of sunny days in London in my 'radiant' red XR3i with the Boos on the stereo. Strawberrys at Wimbledon, street entertainers at Covent Garden, early 30s, peak, fit, tanned, more beer than belly, laughter, a care for fashion, brass in pocket (BC - Before Children).
I'm sure there were plenty of shit days too! Perhaps the memory banks block them out?
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