The Boo Radleys - Feels Like Tomorrow (1993)

The Boo Radleys formed in Wallasey in 1988, comprising Rob Harrison on drums, singer/guitarist Simon "Sice" Rowbottom, guitarist/songwriter Martin Carr, and bassist Timothy Brown, and with their name is taken from the character Boo Radley in Harper Lee's 1960 novel 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. In 1990 the band released their first album 'Ichabod And I' on the small British indie label Action Records, and although not a commercial success, it did bring the band to the attention of Rough Trade Records, to whom they signed. This was also the first record of theirs that I heard, via the John Peel show, and its feedback-drenched sound blew me away, starting a love affair with the band which has lasted ever since, and Peel also had a hand in getting the band signed to Rough Trade. Around this time Hewitt was replaced on drums by Rob Cieka, and the band released their first record on Rough Trade, with the 'Kaleidoscope' EP emerging in 1991. This was followed by the 'Every Heaven' and 'Boo Up!' EPs, but almost immediately after the release of these EPs Rough Trade collapsed, and the Boo Radleys were snapped up by Alan McGee's Creation Records, releasing their debut album for the label with 'Everything's Alright Forver' in 1991. The album was also released in the US through Creation's association with Columbia Records, but didn't gain much attention in America, whereas in England it received favorable reviews and the group began to build a fan base. The penchant for releasing 12" EPs carried on with Creation, issuing the 'Adrenalin' and Boo! Forever' EPs in 1992, quickly followed by the classic 'Giant Steps' album the following year, garnering a 9/10 review in the NME. I've started with the non-album songs from their 'Adrenalin' EP, as if I'd put together their first three EPs I'd have ended up with the actual 'Learning To Walk' album from 1993, so check that out if you want to hear those songs, and you'll also get their great cover of Love's 'Alone Again Or'. Do also seek out the 'Ichabod And I' album, as it remains one of my favourites to this day.

Track listing

01 Vegas (from the 'Adrenalin' EP 1992)
02 Feels Like Tomorrow (from the 'Adrenalin' EP 1992)
03 Whiplashed (from the 'Adrenalin' EP 1992)
04 Boo! Forever (b-side of 'Does This Hurt?' 1992)
05 Buffalo Bill (b-side of 'Does This Hurt?' 1992)
06 Sunfly II: Walking With The Kings (b-side of 'Does This Hurt?' 1992)
07 At The Sound Of Speed (b-side of 'Lazarus' 1992)
08 Let Me Be Your Faith (b-side of 'Lazarus' 1992)
09 Petroleum (b-side of 'Lazarus' 1992)
10 Peachy Keen (b-side of 'Wish I Was Skinny' 1993)
11 Furthur (b-side of 'Wish I Was Skinny' 1993)
12 Crow Eye (b-side of 'Wish I Was Skinny' 1993)

The cover uses a photo by Elena Jo Melanson