Like a number of shoegaze bands, The Boo Radleys spent a couple years hiding their musical skill and good song writing behind a wall of MBV-inspired noise. In an attempt, perhaps, to break out of the ‘Shoegaze’ scene for which they were best known, the 17-track “Giant Steps” exhibited a wider range of influences and was the band’s second album on Creation Records. This genre-hopping long-player was the one before their 1995 breakthrough album “Wake Up!” which tends to be associated with Britpop.
This resulted in some great music but when they came out of their shell, they got even better. Released not long after their wilfully dissonant “Everything’s Alright Forever” LP, the “Lazarus” EP felt a bit like seeing the band with a new pair of glasses.
The signs had been there all along for The Boo Radleys, but all four songs here are a step up in every way. “Lazarus” would show up on 1993’s “Giant Steps”, but without the long, dubby EP intro that pays off so well when the song roars into focus. its blend of brass and guitar-squall and acutely introspective lyrics, gave a hint of what was to come and remains lodged in the band’s most-loved and best-known songs. It’s also amazing they’d delegate songs as good as “Petroleum” and “At the Sound of Speed” to b-side material. Extended listening: 1991’s “Every Heaven” EP is pretty fantastic with a nice balance of melody and roar, and has one of the Boos’ best-ever songs, “The Finest Kiss.”
Cieka reflected on “Giant Steps” Creation loved it, people’s reactions seemed really positive. I do listen to it from time to time and still find great moments I’d forgotten about. I think it stands up pretty well today. I’m always left feeling happy to have been a part of the record”.
NME’s 1993 Album Of The Year, named in the Top 20 of Pitchfork’s The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time and lauded as one of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, The Boo Radleys’ classic album, The 2LP edition is also available pressed on purple and orange vinyl at indie shops and comes with a bonus vinyl 10-inch featuring Saint Etienne remixes of both ‘Lazarus’ and ‘Rodney King’. The 20-track CD offers both of those remixes and ‘Peachy Keen’.
The Boo Radleys‘ 1993 album “Giant Steps” has been remastered for a 30th Anniversary reissue.
The Fat Angel Sings 