First Fruits

Sice's solo project doesn't fall all that far from the Boo Radleys tree -- all three of his fellow bandmates help on the album, drummer Rob Cieka appearing on almost every track. Longtime Creation figure Ed Ball also takes part throughout, while a variety of guest performers pop up, including Kevin McKillop of Moose. A large amount of the Boos' overall psych/pop/bliss sound understandably remains present -- Sice's immediately identifiable vocals show that much -- making First Fruits more an adjunct to the parent band's proceedings than a totally distinct, different effort. Not that there's much wrong with that situation, admittedly. If anything, Eggman captures what the Boo Radleys would sound like in a generally more relaxed, tender mode, eschewing their forays into mind-melting guitar and various dance grooves for a politer but no less entrancing effort. Lead single "Not Bad Enough" sounds more like one of that group's breezier album cuts or B-sides, gently entertaining but not otherwise making a big fuss about it. The Beatles-inspired queasy psych of "That's That Then (For Now)" is as extreme as the album gets. Sice himself handles his usual musical role from the Boos, playing on a variety of guitars and also dabbling with keyboards. His compositions, lyrically and musically, aren't far off from what Martin Carr creates at base, making the Boo connections that much more clear. String parts crop up more than once, polite strums and sighs are everywhere; it's all very pleasant and gently engaging stuff, no more and no less. ~ Ned Raggett|