The Boo Radleys just released an album, their first release of all new music in 24 years. They’ve had to do it without their original guitarist, Martin Carr. Any time a band reforms, it is always a question as to whether they can meet the expectations. I will say up front that this music is bright and cheerful with radio friendly choruses, but it’s not the shoegaze or psych pop that I remember. So with that out of the way, we can focus on the music. The band have released this on their own Boostr label. Three original members, Sice, Tim Brown and Rob Cieka are on board, and this is their first album created by a trio of musicians.
Some of the songs are a disavowal of religion, such as the opener ‘I’ve Had Enough I’m Out’ with its heavenly choruses. I think that is a nice contrast of the subject matter with the overall sweet sound of this tune. The title track has a bit of Beach Boys influence in the harmonies, though it hovers closer to baroque pop than offering a surf’s up perspective. I quite like this one though, and I suspect most listeners will too. ‘All Along’ is rather slick, and I found myself sliding on past this one. ‘I Say a Lot of Things’ has a nice slow cadence and the vocal parts are especially fine. I also like ‘Tonight’ with its pretty instrumental sections, along with another good vocal. ‘A Full Syringe And Memories Of You’ was an early single, and its title alone is a bit provocative. It could almost be about a drug user remembering someone who might not be in their life anymore. But I don’t think it’s that simple.
‘Call Your Name’ once again offers up string arrangements (or what passes for them from a synthesiser). I enjoyed listening to this track with its fine vocal turn from Sice. ‘Here She Comes Again’ has a bit of dub backing it up, and I like the warmth of the organ weaving in and out of the mix. ‘You and Me’ takes a page from the New Order playbook, which is never a bad thing. The style suits them well. ‘I Can’t Be What You Want Me To Be’ is rather like the 70s prog I grew up on, a bit like Procul Harum with the cool keyboards. ‘Alone Together’ is the final piece here, and it’s an upbeat song with bubbling keyboards, reminding me of British indie pop from the 90s.
In summary, this is a solid effort from an established group that long-time listeners will appreciate, as well as anyone who savours well-crafted pop.
