Wake Up! (The Boo Radleys album): Difference between revisions
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| artist = [[the Boo Radleys]] |
| artist = [[the Boo Radleys]] |
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| cover = Wakeup_thebooradleys_cover.jpg |
| cover = Wakeup_thebooradleys_cover.jpg |
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| border = yes |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| released = 27 March 1995 |
| released = 27 March 1995 |
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| recorded = September–October 1994 |
| recorded = September–October 1994 |
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| studio = [[Rockfield Studios|Rockfield]], Wales |
| studio = [[Rockfield Studios|Rockfield]], [[Rockfield, Monmouthshire]], Wales |
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| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[Britpop]], [[baroque pop]] |
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[Britpop]], [[baroque pop]] |
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| length = 51:29 |
| length = 51:29 |
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| label = [[Creation Records|Creation]] |
| label = [[Creation Records|Creation]] |
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| producer = The Boo Radleys |
| producer = The Boo Radleys |
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| prev_title = [[Giant Steps (The Boo Radleys album)|Giant Steps]] |
| prev_title = [[Giant Steps (The Boo Radleys album)|Giant Steps]] |
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| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
| next_title = [[C'mon Kids]] |
| next_title = [[C'mon Kids]] |
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| next_year = 1996 |
| next_year = 1996 |
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| misc = {{Singles |
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| name = Wake Up! |
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| type = studio |
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| single1 = [[Wake Up Boo!]] |
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| single1date = 27 February 1995 |
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| single2 = Find the Answer Within |
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| single2date = 1 May 1995 |
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| single3 = It's Lulu |
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| single3date = 17 July 1995 |
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}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Wake Up!''''' is the fourth album by [[United Kingdom|British]] [[alternative rock]] band [[the Boo Radleys]], released by [[Creation Records]] in 1995. |
'''''Wake Up!''''' is the fourth album by [[United Kingdom|British]] [[alternative rock]] band [[the Boo Radleys]], released by [[Creation Records]] in 1995. |
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== |
==Background== |
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The Boo Radleys released their third studio album ''[[Giant Steps (The Boo Radleys album)|Giant Steps]]'' in 1993; it reached number 17 on the [[UK Albums Chart]]. All three of its singles became hits on the [[UK Singles Chart]], "I Wish I Was Skinny" at number 75, "Lazarus" at number 50 and "Barney and Me" at number 48. "Lazarus" also gained some traction in the United States; to capitalize on it,<ref name=Thompson215>Thompson 2000, p. 215</ref> they toured that country US as part of [[Lollapalooza]] festival in August and September 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1994/c072494.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010606084712/http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1994/c072494.txt|title=Tour Dates|work=Consumable Online|date=July 24, 1994|archive-date=June 6, 2001|access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> ''Wake Up!'' was recorded at [[Rockfield Studios]] in [[Rockfield, Monmouthshire]], Wales in September and October 1994 with the band served as producers. Andy Wilkinson acted as engineer with assistance from Paul Read. The recordings were then mixed at The Church Studios in London in November 1994 by Al Clay with assistance from Matt Sime.<ref name=WUbooklet/> |
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Following the success of ''[[Definitely Maybe]]'' (1994) by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], Creation Records' owner [[Sony Music Entertainment]] wanted more chart success from the label.<ref name=Cavanagh456/> After the departure of marketing consultant Tim Abbot, John Andrews became his successor in November 1994.<ref name=Cavanagh455>Cavanagh 2000, p. 455</ref> While Abbot had previously tried to market the label in his own image, Andrews was more concerned with simply selling records. Andrews was tasked with achieving commercial success for [[Teenage Fanclub]] and the Boo Radleys. Guitarist Martin Carr said upon meeting Andrews for the first time, he was "scaring me with all this talk about marketing. It was the first time we'd ever been asked to participate alongside marketing and take an interest in it".<ref name=Cavanagh456>Cavanagh 2000, p. 456</ref> |
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==Composition== |
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Upon hearing the album's final mixes in November 1994, staff from the label argued over the first choice of a single. Assistant press officer Andy Saunders, along with Carr, proposed "Wake Up Boo!", while co-founder Dick Green wanted the less commercial-sounding "It's Lulu".<ref>Cavanagh 2000, pp. 460–1</ref> Saunders chalked this up to the old-school way of thinking at the label, not wanting to seem like the band [[Selling out|sold-out]]. Three other staff members agreed with Green, which resulted in Saunders exclaiming, "You are ''insane''. This ['Wake Up Boo!'] is a smash".<ref name=Cavanagh461>Cavanagh 2000, p. 461</ref> Creation Records used the emerging [[Britpop]] movement to help push promotion for ''Wake Up!''. Founder Alan McGee said they had "indie bands doing stuff that wasn't indie at all – the Boo Radleys being interviewed by [[Richard and Judy]], doing children's programmes".<ref>McGee 2014, p. 208</ref> As Carr was a driven-kind of person, he agreed to any opportunity in this vein, while Sice became unenthusiastic with this type of promotion. Following an interview with ''[[SKY Magazine]]'', Sice and Saunders got into an argument that saw the latter being fired as the band's publicist.<ref name=Cavanagh464>Cavanagh 2000, p. 464</ref> |
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In addition to their regular roles in the band, some of the members played additional instruments: Bassist Tim Brown played piano and keyboard; guitarist Martin Carr played [[glockenspiel]], keyboard, harmonica and percussion; and drummer Rob Cieka played keyboard and a bell.<ref name=WUbooklet/> The album opens with the [[sunshine pop]] track "Wake Up Boo!", and is followed by the acoustic song "Fairfax Scene", which evokes the sound of [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]]. "It's Lulu" starts with an [[a cappella]] intro, before leading into upbeat, horn-centric [[indie pop]]. "Joel", another acoustic song, is done in the style of [[English folk music|traditional English folk]], with [[Beatlesque]] [[Backmasking|backwards guitarwork]] and [[Ambient music|ambient]] sections. "Find the Answer Within" touches on [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]]; "Charles Bukowsi Is Dead" alludes to [[Camden Town]] and includes a homage to "[[Parklife]]" (1994) by [[Blur (band)|Blur]]. "4am Conversation" displays the band's use of [[vocal harmonies]] and is followed by the [[guitar pop]] of "Twinside". The album ends with "Wilder", which consists of piano, percussion and Sice's vocals.<ref name=WUCherry/> |
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==Release and promotion== |
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As an important element of Andrews' marketing campaign for "Wake Up Boo!", he wanted the single to be priced at £1.99, and increase by two pounds the week after its release, which was in line with what [[major label]]s did for their single release. Green and business manager James Kyllo were hesitant about this, while Andrews was adamant about it being key to the song's potential success.<ref name=Cavanagh461/> Despite the album's success, McGee said the band were approaching them for money to help fund touring.<ref>McGee 2014, p. 209</ref> When the second single, "Find the Answers Within", was added to [[BBC Radio 1]]'s playlist, "Wake Up Boo!" was not removed.<ref name=Cavanagh464/> This resulted in a situation where the [[Radio personality|radio presenter]] would plug "Find the Answers Within", but play "Wake Up Boo!" instead.<ref name=Cavanagh465>Cavanagh 2000, p. 465</ref> |
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Following the success of ''[[Definitely Maybe]]'' (1994) by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], Creation Records' owner [[Sony Music Entertainment]] wanted more chart success from the label.<ref name=Cavanagh456/> After the departure of marketing consultant Tim Abbot, John Andrews became his successor in November 1994.<ref name=Cavanagh455>Cavanagh 2000, p. 455</ref> While Abbot had previously tried to market the label in his own image, Andrews was more concerned with simply selling records. Andrews was tasked with achieving commercial success for [[Teenage Fanclub]] and the Boo Radleys. Guitarist Martin Carr said upon meeting Andrews for the first time, he was "scaring me with all this talk about marketing. It was the first time we'd ever been asked to participate alongside marketing and take an interest in it".<ref name=Cavanagh456>Cavanagh 2000, p. 456</ref> Upon hearing the album's final mixes in November 1994, staff from the label argued over the first choice of a single. Assistant press officer Andy Saunders, along with Carr, proposed "Wake Up Boo!", while co-founder Dick Green wanted the less commercial-sounding "It's Lulu".<ref>Cavanagh 2000, pp. 460–1</ref> |
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Saunders chalked this up to the old-school way of thinking at the label, not wanting to seem like the band [[Selling out|sold-out]]. Three other staff members agreed with Green, which resulted in Saunders exclaiming, "You are ''insane''. This ['Wake Up Boo!'] is a smash".<ref name=Cavanagh461>Cavanagh 2000, p. 461</ref> Creation Records used the emerging [[Britpop]] movement to help push promotion for ''Wake Up!''.<ref name=McGee208/> To tie in with scene, Andrews organized a retail campaign with [[Our Price]] and [[Virgin Megastores]], which included releases from the Boo Radleys, [[Blur (band)|Blur]] and [[Elastica]].<ref name=Cavanagh466>Cavanagh 2000, p. 466</ref> Despite the album's success, founder Alan McGee said the band were approaching them for money to help fund touring.<ref>McGee 2014, p. 209</ref> Alongside this, McGee mentioned that they had "indie bands doing stuff that wasn't indie at all – the Boo Radleys being interviewed by [[Richard and Judy]], doing children's programmes".<ref name=McGee208>McGee 2014, p. 208</ref> As Carr was a driven-kind of person, he agreed to any opportunity in this vein, while Sice became unenthusiastic with this type of promotion. Following an interview with ''[[SKY Magazine]]'', Sice and Saunders got into an argument that saw the latter being fired as the band's publicist.<ref name=Cavanagh464>Cavanagh 2000, p. 464</ref> |
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The Boo Radleys subsequently supported Blur for a one-off show at the [[Mile End Stadium]] in London; following this, they performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]] and [[Reading and Leeds Festivals|Reading Festival]]. Though the album's accompanying singles helped keep the band's profile high in mainland Europe, it did not fare as well in the US. [[Columbia Records]], who distributed Creation Records' releases in the US, dropped the band from their roster sometime afterwards.<ref name=Thompson215/> |
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===Singles and related releases=== |
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"Wake Up Boo!" was released as the album's [[lead single]] on 27 February 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-02-25.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=43|date=25 February 1995}}</ref> Two versions were released on CD: the first with an edit of "Wake Up Boo!", "Janus", "Blues for George Michael" and "Friendship Song", while the second included an alternative version of "Wake Up Boo!", "...And Tomorrow the World" and "The History of Creation Parts 17 & 36".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Wake Up Boo!"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD191}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Wake Up Boo!"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD191X}}</ref> As an important element of Andrews' marketing campaign for the single, he wanted it to be priced at £1.99, and increase by two pounds the week after its release, which was in line with what [[major label]]s did for their single release. Green and business manager James Kyllo were hesitant about this, while Andrews was adamant about it being key to the song's potential success.<ref name=Cavanagh461/> |
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"Find the Answer Within" was released as the album's second single on 1 May 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Advertisement|magazine=Select|page=83|date=June 1995}}</ref> Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Don't Take Your Gun to Town" and "Wallpaper", while the other featured a remix of "Find the Answer Within", "The Only Word I Can Find" and "Very Together".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Find the Answer Within"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD202}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Find the Answer Within"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD202X}}</ref> When "Find the Answer Within" was added to [[BBC Radio 1]]'s playlist, "Wake Up Boo!" was not removed.<ref name=Cavanagh464/> This resulted in a situation where the [[Radio personality|radio presenter]] would plug "Find the Answers Within", but play "Wake Up Boo!" instead.<ref name=Cavanagh465>Cavanagh 2000, p. 465</ref> "It's Lulu" was released as a single in the UK on 17 July 1995.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="It's Lulu"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD211P}}</ref> It was released to [[modern rock]] radio stations in the US in September 1995.<ref>Ross ed. 1995, p. 1</ref> Two versions were released on CD: the first with the single version of "It's Lulu", "This Is Not About Me" and remixes of "Reaching Out from Here" and "Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock", while the second included the single version of "It's Lulu", a remix of "Joel", "Tambo" and "Donkey".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="It's Lulu"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD211}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="It's Lulu"|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=sleeve|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRESCD211X}}</ref> |
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[[Cherry Red Records]] released a three-CD edition of the album that featured all of the related B-sides in 2010.<ref name=WUCherry>{{cite AV media notes|author1=Claudius, Barrington|title=Wake Up!|author2=The Boo Radleys|year=2010|type=booklet|publisher=[[Cherry Red Records]]|id=CDTRED448}}</ref> ''Wake Up!'' was re-pressed on vinyl in 2019 by the label Music on Vinyl.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Wake Up!|people=The Boo Radleys|year=2019|type=sleeve|publisher=Music on Vinyl|id=MOVLP2306}}</ref> "Joel", "Find the Answer Within" and "Reaching Out from Here" were included on the band's second compilation album ''Find the Way Out'' (2005).<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Find the Way Out|people=The Boo Radleys|year=2005|type=booklet|publisher=[[Castle Communications|Castle Music]]/Creation Records|id=CMEDD1112}}</ref> "Wake Up Boo!", "It's Lulu", "Find the Answer Within", "Reaching Out from Here", "Stuck on Amber" and "4am Conversation" were featured on the band's third compilation album ''The Best of the Boo Radleys'' (2007).<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Best of the Boo Radleys|people=The Boo Radleys|year=2007|type=booklet|publisher=[[Sony BMG|Sony BMG Music Entertainment]]|id=88697092852}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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{{Album ratings |
{{Album ratings |
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| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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| |
| rev1score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wake-up%21-mw0000171959|title=Wake Up! – The Boo Radleys|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=11 March 2022}}</ref> |
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| rev2 = '' |
| rev2 = ''Alternative Rock'' |
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| rev2score = 8/10<ref name=Thompson215/> |
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| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|title=CD of the week: The Boo Radleys|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 March 1995}}</ref> |
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| rev3 = ''[[ |
| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' |
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| |
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|title=CD of the week: The Boo Radleys|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 March 1995}}</ref> |
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| rev4 = ''[[ |
| rev4 = ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' |
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| rev4score = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Simon|last=Williams|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53412975350/|title=Long Play|magazine=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=25 March 1995|page=39|access-date=25 December 2023}}</ref> |
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| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Boo Radleys: Wake Up!|magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|page=77|quote='It's Lulu' boasts the adolescent heart-skipping rush of vintage Buzzcocks, with added horns.}}</ref> |
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| rev5 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]'' |
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| rev5score = 5/5<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Boo Radleys: Wake Up!|magazine=[[Select (magazine)|Select]]|issue=58|date=April 1995|last=Morris|first=Gina|page=98}}</ref> |
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| rev6 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' |
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| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Boo Radleys: Wake Up!|magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|page=77|quote='It's Lulu' boasts the adolescent heart-skipping rush of vintage Buzzcocks, with added horns.}}</ref> |
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}} |
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Author [[Dave Thompson (author)|Dave Thompson]], in his book ''Alternative Rock'' (2000), said the inclusion of 1960s influences sees the "world wak[ing] up to the wonders of Boo."<ref name=Thompson215/> |
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Although the band had received critical acclaim with their previous album, ''[[Giant Steps (The Boo Radleys album)|Giant Steps]]'', ''Wake Up!'' was their first true commercial success, reaching number one in the UK album charts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Wake%20Up |title=Wake Up |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref> This was due in large part to two factors: the emergence of Britpop as a driving force in mid-1990s British music, and a Top 10 single, "[[Wake Up Boo!]]". Journalist [[David Cavanagh]] said the song would become one of defining songs of the genres, and in the ensuing years, it "floated off into the world of classic pop radio programming," alongside "[[Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves song)|Walking on Sunshine]]" (1985) by [[Katrina and the Waves]] and "[[Lovely Day]]" (1977) by [[Bill Withers]].<ref name=Cavanagh461/> |
Although the band had received critical acclaim with their previous album, ''[[Giant Steps (The Boo Radleys album)|Giant Steps]]'', ''Wake Up!'' was their first true commercial success, reaching number one in the UK album charts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Wake%20Up |title=Wake Up |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref> This was due in large part to two factors: the emergence of Britpop as a driving force in mid-1990s British music, and a Top 10 single, "[[Wake Up Boo!]]". Journalist [[David Cavanagh]] said the song would become one of defining songs of the genres, and in the ensuing years, it "floated off into the world of classic pop radio programming," alongside "[[Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves song)|Walking on Sunshine]]" (1985) by [[Katrina and the Waves]] and "[[Lovely Day]]" (1977) by [[Bill Withers]].<ref name=Cavanagh461/> |
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==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
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All songs written by Martin Carr.<ref name=WUbooklet/> |
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===Original release=== |
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All songs written by Martin Carr. |
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#"[[Wake Up Boo!]]" - 3:37 |
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#"Fairfax Scene" - 2:14 |
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#"It's Lulu" - 3:04 |
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#"Joel" - 6:10 |
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#"Find the Answer Within" - 4:34 |
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#"Reaching Out from Here" - 3:02 |
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#"Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock" - 6:21 |
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#"Stuck on Amber" - 5:24 |
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#"Charles Bukowski Is Dead" - 2:39 |
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#"4am Conversation" - 2:43 |
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#"Twinside" - 4:45 |
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#"Wilder" - 6:56 |
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#"[[Wake Up Boo!]]" – 3:37 |
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===2010 expanded edition=== |
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#"Fairfax Scene" – 2:14 |
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;CD1 - ''Wake Up!'' |
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#"It's Lulu" – 3:04 |
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;CD2 - First bonus disc |
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# |
#"Joel" – 6:10 |
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# |
#"Find the Answer Within" – 4:34 |
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#"Reaching Out from Here" – 3:02 |
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# "Friendship Song" (5:25) |
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#"Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock" – 6:21 |
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# "Wake Up Boo! Music for Astronauts" (8:55) |
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#"Stuck on Amber" – 5:24 |
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# "And Tomorrow the World" (4:36) |
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#"Charles Bukowski Is Dead" – 2:39 |
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# "The History of Creation [Parts 17 & 36]" (4:40) |
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#"4am Conversation" – 2:43 |
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# "Find the Answer Within" ([[High Llamas]] Mix) (5:44) |
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#"Twinside" – 4:45 |
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# "The Only Word I Can Find" (3:06) |
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#"Wilder" – 6:56 |
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# "Very Together" (3:22) |
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# "Don't Take Your Gun to Town" (3:52) |
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# "Wallpaper" (4:04) |
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==Personnel== |
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* 1 - 6 taken from the "Wake Up Boo!" singles. |
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Personnel per booklet.<ref name=WUbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Wake Up!|people=The Boo Radleys|year=1995|type=booklet|publisher=Creation Records|id=CRECD179/SCR 478509 2}}</ref> |
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* 7 - 11 taken from the "Find the Answer Within" singles. |
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{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-2}} |
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'''The Boo Radleys''' |
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* Sice – lead vocals, handclaps <small>(tracks 11)</small> |
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* Tim Brown – bass <small>(all except track 10)</small>, piano <small>(tracks 1 and 12)</small>, keyboard <small>(tracks 2, 4, 7–10 and 12)</small> |
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* Martin Carr – guitar, backing vocals <small>(tracks 1–5, 7 and 10–12)</small>, [[glockenspiel]] <small>(tracks 5 and 9)</small>, keyboard <small>(tracks 7, 8 and 10)</small>, harmonica <small>(track 8)</small>, handclaps <small>(tracks 11)</small>, percussion <small>(tracks 12)</small> |
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* Rob Cieka – drums <small>(tracks 1–9, 11 and 12)</small>, percussion <small>(tracks 1, 3, 7, 10 and 12)</small>, keyboard <small>(track 4)</small>, bell <small>(track 12)</small> |
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'''Additional musicians''' |
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;CD3 - Second bonus disc |
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* Simon Gardner – trumpet <small>(tracks 1)</small> |
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# "This Is Not About Me" (4:02) |
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* Neil Sidwell – trombone <small>(tracks 1)</small> |
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# "Reaching Out from Here" ([[High Llamas]] Mix) (2:52) |
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* Nigel Hitchcock – saxophone <small>(tracks 1)</small> |
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# "Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'clock" ([[Stereolab]] Mix) (6:42) |
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* Scottie – handclaps <small>(tracks 1)</small> |
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# "Joel" ([[Justin Warfield]] Mix) (4:49) |
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* Dick Green – guitar <small>(track 2)</small> |
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# "Tambo" (1:47) |
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* Steve Kitchen – trumpet <small>(tracks 3, 4 and 11)</small>, [[flugelhorn]] <small>(track 7)</small> |
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# "Donkey" (1:57) |
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* Chris Moore – trumpet <small>(tracks 3, 4 and 11)</small> |
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# "From the Bench at Belvidere" (4:23) |
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* Lindsay Johnston – cello <small>(tracks 4, 8 and 10)</small> |
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# "Hi Falutin" (3:23) |
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* Fay Sweet – viola <small>(tracks 4, 8 and 10)</small> |
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# "Crushed" (3:23) |
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* Peter Fry – double bass <small>(tracks 4, 8 and 10)</small> |
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# "Almost Nearly There" (3:36) |
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{{col-2}} |
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'''Production and design''' |
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* The Boo Radleys – producer |
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* Andy Wilkinson – engineer |
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* Paul Read – assistance |
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* Al Clay – mixing |
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* Matt Sime – assistance |
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* Stephen A. Wood – sleeve art |
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* Joel Graphics – typeset layout reprographics |
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* Toby Egelnick – final assemblage |
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* Roger Sargent – band photography |
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{{col-end}} |
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*1 - 6 taken from the "It's Lulu" singles. |
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*7 - 10 taken from the "From The Bench At Belvidere" single. |
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==Personnel== |
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;The Boo Radleys |
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*Sice - vocals |
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*Rob Cieka - drums, percussion |
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*Tim Brown - bass guitar, keyboards |
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*Martin Carr - guitar, keyboards, vocals |
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with: |
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*Richard Green - guitar on "Fairfax Scene" |
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*Nigel Hitchcock - saxophone |
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*Simon Gardner, Chris Moore - trumpet |
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*Steve Kitchen - trumpet, flugelhorn |
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*Neil Sidwell - trombone |
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*Lindsay Johnson - cello |
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*Fay Sweet - viola |
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*Peter Fry - double bass |
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;Technical |
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*Andy Wilkinson - engineer |
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*Alistair Clay - mixing |
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*Stephen A. Wood - sleeve artwork |
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==References== |
==References== |
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'''Citations''' |
'''Citations''' |
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* {{cite book|last=Cavanagh|first=David|author-link=David Cavanagh|title=The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize|date=2000|publisher=[[Virgin Books|Virgin Publishing]]|location=London|isbn=1-85227-775-0}} |
* {{cite book|last=Cavanagh|first=David|author-link=David Cavanagh|title=The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize|date=2000|publisher=[[Virgin Books|Virgin Publishing]]|location=London|isbn=1-85227-775-0}} |
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* {{cite book|last=McGee|first=Alan|author-link=Alan McGee|title=Creation Stories: Riots, Raves and Running a Label|date=2014|publisher=[[Pan Books]]|location=London|isbn=978-1-4472-2591-1}} |
* {{cite book|last=McGee|first=Alan|author-link=Alan McGee|title=Creation Stories: Riots, Raves and Running a Label|date=2014|publisher=[[Pan Books]]|location=London|isbn=978-1-4472-2591-1}} |
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* {{cite journal|editor-last=Ross|editor-first=Sean|title=Modern Rock|journal=Rock Airplay Monitor|date=1 September 1995|volume=2|issue=36|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/Billboard-Rock-Airplay/1995/Airplay-Monitor-Rock-1995-09-01.pdf}} |
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* {{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Thompson (author)|title=Alternative Rock|series=Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion|year=2000|publisher=[[Miller Freeman, Inc.|Miller Freeman Books]]|location=San Francisco, California|isbn=0-87930-607-6}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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[[Category:The Boo Radleys albums]] |
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[[Category:Creation Records albums]] |
[[Category:Creation Records albums]] |
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[[Category:Columbia Records albums]] |
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[[Category:Albums recorded at Rockfield Studios]] |
[[Category:Albums recorded at Rockfield Studios]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:03, 18 August 2024
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| Wake Up! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 March 1995 | |||
| Recorded | September–October 1994 | |||
| Studio | Rockfield, Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, Britpop, baroque pop | |||
| Length | 51:29 | |||
| Label | Creation | |||
| Producer | The Boo Radleys | |||
| The Boo Radleys chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Wake Up! | ||||
| ||||
Wake Up! is the fourth album by British alternative rock band the Boo Radleys, released by Creation Records in 1995.
Background
[edit]The Boo Radleys released their third studio album Giant Steps in 1993; it reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart. All three of its singles became hits on the UK Singles Chart, "I Wish I Was Skinny" at number 75, "Lazarus" at number 50 and "Barney and Me" at number 48. "Lazarus" also gained some traction in the United States; to capitalize on it,[1] they toured that country US as part of Lollapalooza festival in August and September 1994.[2] Wake Up! was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales in September and October 1994 with the band served as producers. Andy Wilkinson acted as engineer with assistance from Paul Read. The recordings were then mixed at The Church Studios in London in November 1994 by Al Clay with assistance from Matt Sime.[3]
Composition
[edit]In addition to their regular roles in the band, some of the members played additional instruments: Bassist Tim Brown played piano and keyboard; guitarist Martin Carr played glockenspiel, keyboard, harmonica and percussion; and drummer Rob Cieka played keyboard and a bell.[3] The album opens with the sunshine pop track "Wake Up Boo!", and is followed by the acoustic song "Fairfax Scene", which evokes the sound of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. "It's Lulu" starts with an a cappella intro, before leading into upbeat, horn-centric indie pop. "Joel", another acoustic song, is done in the style of traditional English folk, with Beatlesque backwards guitarwork and ambient sections. "Find the Answer Within" touches on psychedelia; "Charles Bukowsi Is Dead" alludes to Camden Town and includes a homage to "Parklife" (1994) by Blur. "4am Conversation" displays the band's use of vocal harmonies and is followed by the guitar pop of "Twinside". The album ends with "Wilder", which consists of piano, percussion and Sice's vocals.[4]
Release and promotion
[edit]Following the success of Definitely Maybe (1994) by Oasis, Creation Records' owner Sony Music Entertainment wanted more chart success from the label.[5] After the departure of marketing consultant Tim Abbot, John Andrews became his successor in November 1994.[6] While Abbot had previously tried to market the label in his own image, Andrews was more concerned with simply selling records. Andrews was tasked with achieving commercial success for Teenage Fanclub and the Boo Radleys. Guitarist Martin Carr said upon meeting Andrews for the first time, he was "scaring me with all this talk about marketing. It was the first time we'd ever been asked to participate alongside marketing and take an interest in it".[5] Upon hearing the album's final mixes in November 1994, staff from the label argued over the first choice of a single. Assistant press officer Andy Saunders, along with Carr, proposed "Wake Up Boo!", while co-founder Dick Green wanted the less commercial-sounding "It's Lulu".[7]
Saunders chalked this up to the old-school way of thinking at the label, not wanting to seem like the band sold-out. Three other staff members agreed with Green, which resulted in Saunders exclaiming, "You are insane. This ['Wake Up Boo!'] is a smash".[8] Creation Records used the emerging Britpop movement to help push promotion for Wake Up!.[9] To tie in with scene, Andrews organized a retail campaign with Our Price and Virgin Megastores, which included releases from the Boo Radleys, Blur and Elastica.[10] Despite the album's success, founder Alan McGee said the band were approaching them for money to help fund touring.[11] Alongside this, McGee mentioned that they had "indie bands doing stuff that wasn't indie at all – the Boo Radleys being interviewed by Richard and Judy, doing children's programmes".[9] As Carr was a driven-kind of person, he agreed to any opportunity in this vein, while Sice became unenthusiastic with this type of promotion. Following an interview with SKY Magazine, Sice and Saunders got into an argument that saw the latter being fired as the band's publicist.[12]
The Boo Radleys subsequently supported Blur for a one-off show at the Mile End Stadium in London; following this, they performed at the Glastonbury and Reading Festival. Though the album's accompanying singles helped keep the band's profile high in mainland Europe, it did not fare as well in the US. Columbia Records, who distributed Creation Records' releases in the US, dropped the band from their roster sometime afterwards.[1]
Singles and related releases
[edit]"Wake Up Boo!" was released as the album's lead single on 27 February 1995.[13] Two versions were released on CD: the first with an edit of "Wake Up Boo!", "Janus", "Blues for George Michael" and "Friendship Song", while the second included an alternative version of "Wake Up Boo!", "...And Tomorrow the World" and "The History of Creation Parts 17 & 36".[14][15] As an important element of Andrews' marketing campaign for the single, he wanted it to be priced at £1.99, and increase by two pounds the week after its release, which was in line with what major labels did for their single release. Green and business manager James Kyllo were hesitant about this, while Andrews was adamant about it being key to the song's potential success.[8]
"Find the Answer Within" was released as the album's second single on 1 May 1995.[16] Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Don't Take Your Gun to Town" and "Wallpaper", while the other featured a remix of "Find the Answer Within", "The Only Word I Can Find" and "Very Together".[17][18] When "Find the Answer Within" was added to BBC Radio 1's playlist, "Wake Up Boo!" was not removed.[12] This resulted in a situation where the radio presenter would plug "Find the Answers Within", but play "Wake Up Boo!" instead.[19] "It's Lulu" was released as a single in the UK on 17 July 1995.[20] It was released to modern rock radio stations in the US in September 1995.[21] Two versions were released on CD: the first with the single version of "It's Lulu", "This Is Not About Me" and remixes of "Reaching Out from Here" and "Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock", while the second included the single version of "It's Lulu", a remix of "Joel", "Tambo" and "Donkey".[22][23]
Cherry Red Records released a three-CD edition of the album that featured all of the related B-sides in 2010.[4] Wake Up! was re-pressed on vinyl in 2019 by the label Music on Vinyl.[24] "Joel", "Find the Answer Within" and "Reaching Out from Here" were included on the band's second compilation album Find the Way Out (2005).[25] "Wake Up Boo!", "It's Lulu", "Find the Answer Within", "Reaching Out from Here", "Stuck on Amber" and "4am Conversation" were featured on the band's third compilation album The Best of the Boo Radleys (2007).[26]
Reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [27] |
| Alternative Rock | 8/10[1] |
| The Guardian | [28] |
| NME | 9/10[29] |
| Select | 5/5[30] |
| Uncut |  [31] |
Author Dave Thompson, in his book Alternative Rock (2000), said the inclusion of 1960s influences sees the "world wak[ing] up to the wonders of Boo."[1]
Although the band had received critical acclaim with their previous album, Giant Steps, Wake Up! was their first true commercial success, reaching number one in the UK album charts.[32] This was due in large part to two factors: the emergence of Britpop as a driving force in mid-1990s British music, and a Top 10 single, "Wake Up Boo!". Journalist David Cavanagh said the song would become one of defining songs of the genres, and in the ensuing years, it "floated off into the world of classic pop radio programming," alongside "Walking on Sunshine" (1985) by Katrina and the Waves and "Lovely Day" (1977) by Bill Withers.[8]
Two further singles were released from the album: "Find The Answer Within" (with two versions available, one an early fade of the album version, the other a remix by The High Llamas) and "It's Lulu". Both reached the UK Top 40 but were unable to repeat the popularity of "Wake Up Boo!".
"Wake Up Boo!" was ranked at number 67 on Spin's "The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1995" list.[33]
Track listing
[edit]All songs written by Martin Carr.[3]
- "Wake Up Boo!" – 3:37
- "Fairfax Scene" – 2:14
- "It's Lulu" – 3:04
- "Joel" – 6:10
- "Find the Answer Within" – 4:34
- "Reaching Out from Here" – 3:02
- "Martin, Doom! It's Seven O'Clock" – 6:21
- "Stuck on Amber" – 5:24
- "Charles Bukowski Is Dead" – 2:39
- "4am Conversation" – 2:43
- "Twinside" – 4:45
- "Wilder" – 6:56
Personnel
[edit]Personnel per booklet.[3]
|
The Boo Radleys
Additional musicians
|
Production and design
|
References
[edit]Citations
- ^ a b c d Thompson 2000, p. 215
- ^ "Tour Dates". Consumable Online. 24 July 1994. Archived from the original on 6 June 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d Wake Up! (booklet). Creation Records. 1995. CRECD179/SCR 478509 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ a b Claudius, Barrington; The Boo Radleys (2010). Wake Up! (booklet). Cherry Red Records. CDTRED448.
- ^ a b Cavanagh 2000, p. 456
- ^ Cavanagh 2000, p. 455
- ^ Cavanagh 2000, pp. 460–1
- ^ a b c Cavanagh 2000, p. 461
- ^ a b McGee 2014, p. 208
- ^ Cavanagh 2000, p. 466
- ^ McGee 2014, p. 209
- ^ a b Cavanagh 2000, p. 464
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 February 1995. p. 43.
- ^ "Wake Up Boo!" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD191.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "Wake Up Boo!" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD191X.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "Advertisement". Select. June 1995. p. 83.
- ^ "Find the Answer Within" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD202.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "Find the Answer Within" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD202X.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Cavanagh 2000, p. 465
- ^ "It's Lulu" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD211P.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Ross ed. 1995, p. 1
- ^ "It's Lulu" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD211.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "It's Lulu" (sleeve). Creation Records. 1995. CRESCD211X.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Wake Up! (sleeve). Music on Vinyl. 2019. MOVLP2306.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Find the Way Out (booklet). Castle Music/Creation Records. 2005. CMEDD1112.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ The Best of the Boo Radleys (booklet). Sony BMG Music Entertainment. 2007. 88697092852.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wake Up! – The Boo Radleys". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline (31 March 1995). "CD of the week: The Boo Radleys". The Guardian.
- ^ Williams, Simon (25 March 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 39. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ Morris, Gina (April 1995). "The Boo Radleys: Wake Up!". Select. No. 58. p. 98.
- ^ "The Boo Radleys: Wake Up!". Uncut. p. 77.
'It's Lulu' boasts the adolescent heart-skipping rush of vintage Buzzcocks, with added horns.
- ^ "Wake Up". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ^ A.Z. (6 August 2015). "The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1995". Spin. p. 2. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
Sources
- Cavanagh, David (2000). The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize. London: Virgin Publishing. ISBN 1-85227-775-0.
- McGee, Alan (2014). Creation Stories: Riots, Raves and Running a Label. London: Pan Books. ISBN 978-1-4472-2591-1.
- Ross, Sean, ed. (1 September 1995). "Modern Rock" (PDF). Rock Airplay Monitor. 2 (36).
- Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. San Francisco, California: Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.
