Emerging from the shoegazing scene in Britain in the early 1990's, Giant Steps was indeed a massive leap forward from the band and out of the scene that created it.

While maintaining high levels of noise and feedback, these were draped around the lightest and loveliest of pop tunes such as 'Wish I was skinny' and 'Barney and me'. All sung in a Brian Wilson like vocal from Sice. The Boo Radley's career mirrored that of its record label, Creation. Guitar drenched shoegazing to 60's revival, a la the most successful act on the label, Oasis. But in Giant Steps, there are elements of electronica, jazz etc. This is no simple album. It won many awards at the time including album of the year in the likes of the NME.

Martin Carr's songwriting was always exemplary and often approached deeeply personal and downbeat subjects with the lightest of airs and. 'Wake up' from their next album is the most famous example. 'Wake up its a beautiful morning, with the sun shining in your eyes'' actually tackles the subject of depression.

Such a deeply layered album as this ensures that boredom or over familiarity is unlikely to set in.There are 17 songs over four sides and the longest lasts at just over 5 minutes. Most are typically pop sized moments of brevity.

Many songs have a slightly different sound or theme. So despite being overwhelmingly guitar driven we find heavily effected vocals on one track, handclaps on another, flugelhorn, trumpet, clarinet and cello elsewhere. The guitar drenching can at times wear my ears out though.

Giant Steps is schizophrenic but never dull.

The record was DMM pressed at Townhouse in London. Clean, clear sound. SOunds very organic. Its a gatefold sleeve, with lyrics printed in th middle. Plain paper inner sleeves.