Search - Boo Radleys :: C'Mon Kids

A dazzling, very rewarding experience

anglagard | Sweden | 06/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember being very disappointed when I bought this CD when it was released way back in 1996. The reason was that I had expected it to be similar in sound to the great "Wake up!" from 1995. I wanted it to be sunny and cheerful poptunes with lots of 60's sounding guitars and the great special Boo-refrains. But instead I put on "C'Mon Kids" and was scared away pretty fast. Because the guitars were LOUD, the songstrucutres were COMPLEX and difficult, and I couldnt get any grip of the album at all. This album isnt quick or easy listening. You have to hear it many times before the smart and carefully arranged songstructures reveal themselves. I put the CD away for a while and gave it another try some time later. And one after one, I got to "know" the songs, the clever breaks, the daring effects and the gorgeous melodies that are hidden deep in under all the loudness and complexity. This album really is a challenge to listen to from start to end, because you dont know what to expect the next moment. I find it to be THE masterpiece of Martin Carr and the Boo Radleys. They could have chosen the easy way and just put together an album filled with happy poptunes like "Wake up!" but instead they make an album like this. An album that for sure will keep amaze listeners once they get passed the first shock of the loud and aggressive guitars and the experimental touch within every song here. I really dont have any favourite here since I feel that every song provides that little extra which makes it different and outstanding. The loud and heavy opening titeltrack, the eerie "Meltin's worm", the light and melancholic "New Brighton promenade". They took the psychedelic feeling for exploring melodies deeper from the album "Giant Steps"(1993) and mixed it with the catchy refrains from "Wake up!" and completely drenched it all and took it one step further with this loud, introspective collage of music. Because it ressembles a collage, a big pattern of different sounds put together to create little masterpieces that twist and turn. One last hurrah for the Boo's!"

"The Sky Was Bullfrog Green...

Chris G. | IL USA | 03/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...Many would have been amazed!" Forget Oasis; C'mon Kids you gotta Hear This!...To me this is the BEST of the Brit-Rock & Brit-pop bands.

This release is the Boo Radleys fifth studio album. As Wake Up! ( 1995-their 4th) was more of a happy, horns galore sounding and The Boos first commercial success. < (title track: Big Hit in U.K.)

This is it's dark polar opposite. The songs still seem happy and poppy, but "C'mon Kids"(a lot of Ooohs & Aaaahs) IS a true Hellish mind-blowing Rollercoaster ride-nightmare. Colorful and psychadelic danceable trip through a revved up "Magical Mystery Tour" (:The Beatles).

I truly do feel happier after listening to the Genius that is Martin Carr, Sice, and the rest of the Boo Radleys.

The opener also the title track is "C'mon Kids"- Sounds a bit like Liam Gallagher of Oasis, but of course this band started years before "Definately Maybe" (Oasis' debut) was released.

The rest of this album includes some of the BEST from the Boo Rads' :

"Meltin's Worm" : a little funny in the same vein as "I Am the Walrus" (Magical Mystery Tour Beatles); about a worm who can't stop eating.

"Melodies for the Deaf(Colours for the Blind)" : should be a big hit in the states; Yeah you can dance to these "dance-trip" Beats. Possibly my favorite Boo! song out of all their releases.

"Get on the Bus" : the "indie-bus" that is. Close to perfect; and short mini-masterpiece. Quiet melodies to a loud and fast chorus.

"Bullfrog Green" : Look Familiar? Yes.. I did use a line(in the title of this review)from this dark-fun song. Just fun heavy guitar fusion!

"What's In The Box?" : Crawl inside...Another U.S. "should be Hit" Fun chorus

"Four Saints" : Hellish dance. Rave it up...My Bloody Valentine-like sound

"Ride the Tiger" : I believe this is the longest song on this. Close to seven minutes. "Jungle Beat Dance" is the term I will use to describe this song.

& "One Last Hurrah" : The closing song; Next to last effort (hurrah) from the band. "Kingsize" Was their final studio release in 1998.

Of course all the songs are a PURE JOY to listen to. Definately up there among my TOP favorite albums of ALL -TIME!! I listen to this more than anything else. Even though it is my second favorite by them, "Giant Steps"(1993) : The Boos' Third effort; Is my # 1 TOP Fave ! < Triptastic Adventure a lot like this one. Both are ESSENTIAL to a Boo Rad' "newbie."

I am so Glad I bought this one as well as all their others."

The Boo's Rock Out (again)

P. Young | Illinois, Untied States | 08/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the bit of a lull decibels that is Wake Up! The Boo Radleys returned to the strange but thoroughly enjoyable pop-rock that only they could produce with this '96 release. This album is full of attitude not seen before from the group (there are even swears in the lyrics), but you have to love it. 'C'Mon Kids' is a call to their die-hard fans after what may have been a bit of a disappointment from the sometimes geek pop on Wake Up!. 'Meltin's Worm' is a strange beyond description but has plenty to love about it. 'Melodies For The Deaf (Colours For The Blind)' conveys just what the title implies. 'Get On The Bus' opens quietly but bursts into slashing, howling guitars before quieting down again to close. 'Everything Is Sorrow' has such beatiful but anguished tunefulness it may make you cry. 'Bullfrog Green' and 'What's In The Box' are weird rockers with melody and rhythm that few other bands have ever been capable of pulling off. If they don't get at least your feet tapping you must be dead. Then 'Four Saints' creeps up on you with a powerful message delivered with a wash of crawling techno beats, fuzz and classic shoegazer guitars. 'New Brighton Promenade' reminds you that this group was fully capable of writing a pretty, radio-friendly pop tune without compromising their artistry. 'Fortunate Sons' is a slow, dirty-sounding saunter into dub that seems to be a jab at the brats in Oasis but somewhat fails to keep up with the rest of the album. 'Shelter' rocks with a steady beat before accelerating into brief onslaught to close out the song. 'Ride The Tiger' is a Boo Radleys classic full of peculiar, yet moving lyrics and soaring music. 'One Last Hurrah' is the type of song every band wishes it had to close out an album. From beginning to end this album keeps you pulled in and wanting more. It ranks second only to Giant Steps as Boo's masterpieces. Fans of everyone from The Beatles to Pink Floyd to this years' crop of punk rockers (The Hives, The White Stripes) will appreciate its adventurous musicianship and hard-rocking attitude."