Day 0754 - Giant Steps

The Boo Radleys "Giant Steps" (1993)

Named after the excellent John Coltrane album of the same name this was the third album the Radleys released.  It was also on about the third record label they'd been signed to up to that point.

They had been on Rough Trade records, but when it collapsed they were picked up by Creation Records... yet to sign Oasis, but still with Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fanclub on the roster.

Giant Steps is the Boo's second album for Creation and it lives up to its name with a huge range of styles covered across its 17 tracks.  There's dubby reggae covered in squalls of feedback, there's Beach Boys-esque chamber pop clashing with loud rock, psychedelic balladry with avant noise overlaid.

It's another case where I probably find the runtime a bit long for my tastes, but it's still a musically interesting and enjoyable album that I'd be happy to spin again.

Day 0406 - Duckstab/Buster and Glen

The Residents "Duckstab/Buster and Glen" (1978)

I've listened to quite a few Residents' albums. A friend of mine got really into them a few years back, and every time I admitted to having listened to and enjoying one of their albums he'd give me another recommendation... not that I was complaining.

The Residents are one of the original oddball acts. They made music that utilised a cut and paste approach and dwelled in the obscure, with elements of world music, musique concrete, sound effects, pitch-shifted vocals, soundtrack, pop, ambient music and so many different flavours of experimentation all colliding with each other. The band are still going strong some 50 or so years since their inception, and in that time (though they have been tentatively identified) they have managed to successfully hide their identities for years.  Rumours flew around that the band consisted of everyone from Zappa and Beefheart through to Lennon and McCartney.

I hadn't actually listened to this one, despite it being one of their better known releases, but it certainly doesn't disappoint, equal parts fun, creepy, and genius.

This band is also a very clear influence on two bands that I enjoy greatly: Primus (who've covered at least three of the tracks here), and Ween.