Customer Reviews

Kingsize

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now that it is official that The Boo Radleys have called it quits, it is safe to say that this album is their "Abbey Road." Beautiful melodies like always make this their finest album ever and Sice's vocals have reached a new level. Martin Carr's songwriting beams on a gem like "Monuments for a Dead Century" with it's melody evolution harkening back to Wake Up's "Joel." "Eurostar" blends the perfect mix of Carr's songwriting and Sice's vocal talent. It is the most eloquent example on how these two blended together so well over their career. The title track never leaves your head with Sice pondering "How would you like to share it all with me?" That's exactly what this band has done - shared beautiful music and they end it all with the perfect words - "The Future is Now." This album definately presents a band that was looking forward beyond the genius embodied over 4 previous albums. This is a timeless album and a timeless band. Hold on to all five albums and prepare yourself for the future; it's now you know...

Although this CD was released last year, I consider it my favorite CD of 1999. And despite almost all the songs being magical, trippy, infectious, overwhelmingly good like the best Beatles material, "Song from the Blue Room" is my favorite pop-love song of all time. Every time I listen to it my heart breaks again thinking of what could have been and wasn't knowing that the music matters even more. The Boo RAdleys have split along with the Verve, leaving the biggest hole in Britpop since the Beatles called it quits. I just regret I never got to see this band live.

After 6 diverse and exciting albums the Boo Radleys caleld it a day, although Martin Carr's recently released 'Fingertip Saint sessions' discs under the name Brave Captain are worth a go. It was a fine way to go out. Rarely has an album been inspired by classic pop, Britpop, Soul, Jazz and Electronic at the same time and not sounded like a pretentious mess. Highlight in my mind is Eurostar, where singer Sice's voice gloriously peaks and flows. The title track is equally beautiful, but it's tracks like High as Monkeys and Adieu CLo-CLo which are particularly unpredictable. The way the latter shamelessly samples Curtis Mayfield is a nice touch, and Sice's voice is again on top form. One mystery is why the excellent Put Your Arms... was not on the UK release as it's a lovely retro sound. Unlike may peopel I'm not that keen on the first 2 tracks, but after that the group is on top form. Lyrically Martin Carr si one of the best, and here he digs into tobacco companies (Monuments For A Dead Century's Philip Morris section), the Millenium (Monuments, Future is Now), and everythign else imaginable. With a few good old-fashioned love songs as well. This is probably their best album, although C'Mon Kids is up there if you like an edgy sound and Giant Steps has teh great elements of this, though it seems a bit looser. An under-rated gem.

This one surprised me. There are some really gorgeous songs that fed my pop instincts. "Monuments for a Dead Century" and "Kingsize" are standouts. "Heaven at the Bottom of this Glass" sounds like A-list Oasis. The whole disc offers great diversity and songwriting. What more could you want!

this is the boos best record since giant steps - absolutely incredible. this is definitely the best release of this year, and one of the best records i own. there is absolutely no reason everyone shouldn't own this - buy it damn you, buy it!! also, the us release promises a bonus track, wich has some of us state siders a little miffed. *sigh* cheers

p.s. you owe it to yourself and humanity to buy this album.

To me The Boo Radleys were the Best band of the 1990s, regardless of popularity. The band constantly changed and expanded their sound with each and every release-
From the shoegazing, My Bloody Valentine inspired sounds of 'Everything's Alright Forever' to the Summery kaliedoscopic 'Giant Steps' to their happiest, fun, pop album in 'Wake Up' containing The Boos biggest hit with Wake Up Boo! Then it was off to another album 1996's 'C'mon Kids' which was more of the opposite of 'Wake Up' a neo-psychadelic and dark anti-pop type of album.
And then you have the Boo Radleys final release. 'Kingsize' in 1998. Influenced in different genres including soul, dance and jazz.
As much as lyricist Martin Carr strives to write simplicity through pop music - songs like "High As Monkeys" goes against the mold adding chamber music, drum machines and a stunning array of keyboard noises..."Let the Sunshine Crash into our Souls(one of my favorite Boo lines) indeed.
The Music and vocals reaches it's listener on all levels of emotions.
'Kingsize' offers the best vocals I have ever heard from lead singer- Simon Rowbottom a.k.a Sice, out of all The Boo Radleys studio albums.
The Music within is much more eclectic and experimental (in a quieter way) then any of The Boos' earlier works. Expanding pop music as far as pop can be taken. And this my friends, is one of the finest, most energetic Pop/Rock albums that I have ever heard.
I am not just saying that because The Boo Radleys are my Favorite band, no sir/miss. I truly do mean it with all my heart.
The lead off track sets the tone with a Oasis meets Aphex Twin like sound with the Powerful 'Blue Room in Archway'
Then it's off to a more jazzed up orchestrated piece in 'The Old Newsstand at Hamilton Square'
Track 3 is 'Free Huey' (hit) which may seem a bit repetitive. It is the most fun on 'Kingsize' and most upbeat. Singing : "And you know you Got to be All you can be" over and over as the chorus. A song influenced by Martin Carr after he read up on the Black Panther Party and based this song around that.
Now we get to one of the Main highlights/standout tracks the Beatle-like title track -'Kingsize' A song that Sice sounds his clearest and most pure, even angelic. Tops for me as far as his vocals go.
Critics have under-mined this album. They say(said) it's not continuing the same approach that previous albums suggested. It sounds out of step.
Well, I think that is a bunch of bologna. I don't give this album 5 stars based on the Band's previous releases. I give it 5 stars on the account of being a stand alone great album.
I like 'Kingsize' so much, that I would recommend this one first to a Boo Radley 'newbie'. Especially if you are not looking for a shoegazer type of sound, but just a solid Rock/pop album, Trust me you won't be disappointed with this.

Anyone expecting to stare at their shoes and cry should not get this album. But if you want to hear one of the funnest, most catchiest, and just a dog-gone good album then cop this album. A far cry from "Everything's Alright Forever"; which I like very much, this album takes the great song writing from that album and throws it against feel-good rythms and beats. You'll find yourself singing and thinking about the great lyrics found throughout the whole album. This album will appeal to fans of their earlier recordings, with a few slow & soft songs that are terrific. But the up-tempo even "techno-ee" songs is what makes this album unique and great. Can't pick out any stand-out songs because literally all the songs on the albumt are great.

If you like the Beatles Boo is how they sounded in late 90's. This record is simply excellent. A Pop record but not a soft music one . A MUST!!!

From the first tune in this great album you know this is something special. This is probably the best Boo Radleys album since Giant Steps, and on my opinion the best album of the year. May the Boo be with you!!

The return of The Boos after the slightly disappointing "C'mon Kids" is undoubtedly memorable. "Kingsize" is a small looking-back to the psychobucholic pop atmosphere of the marvellous "Giant Steps" and its follower "Wake Up". The songs are simply perfect. "Eurostar", for instance, is a gorgeous cross-over between trip-hoppy dub and "Bacharach pop-style"; "Free Huey" is a mixture of Prodigy, Duran Duran and The Beatles revisited for the second millennium and "Blueroom In Archway" is a classic instruments seducing pop ballad with violins and trumpets and the spirit of Arthur Lee coming out from Sice's voice. What to say? WE LOVE THEM. GOD BLESS BOOS!!