Search - Sonic Boom :: What Came Before After

Floating through the clouds

08/20/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sonic Boom was one half the creative spark of the excellent band Spacemen 3. Later in the band's career, his sound became more apparent: his songs were definately HIS songs, distinctive from the rest. This is one of his many various solo albums, and it is reflective of where he was headed in Spacemen 3. Every song is light and dreamy, with lots of space within them, which is not bad. "True Love Will Find You in the End" and "Don't Go" are atmospheric "love" songs sung from an addicts point of view. "2 Chord 12 Bar" is a deceptively easy instrumental, as is "The Drunk Suite (reprise)." The use of tones, drones, and tremoloes work perfectly. "Indian Summer" is the most 'upbeat' song, featuring seemingly simple lyrics that are, in reality, genius. All praise and only a four? "True Love....(alternate take)" and "Mechanical Man" obviously weren't shit checked by Sonic, otherwise they wouldn't have made the cut. Worth owning if you love late night reminiscing."

A somewhat average collection of songs from rare singles.

musicburgler | DC | 12/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of these songs are alright but this is definately not a greatest hits album, but its good if you want to get some stuff that is out of print. oddly enough there are 6 cover songs in this collection.I would recommend tracking down, the albums entitled "High's Lows and Heavenly Blows" and "Soul Kiss Glide Divine".
They are both more complete collections. "Don't Go", "True Love..." and "Indian Summer" are great phased fuzzed pop gems. The last 3 songs represent the more experimental side of Sonic's music and are interesting pulsing noises."

Sonic Boom - 'What Came Before After' (Sympathy For The Reco

Mike Reed | USA | 02/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Good indie / space rock compilation of Sonic Boom's post-Spacemen 3 material that was recorded between 1989-93. This is only the second Sonic Boom / Spectrum CD I've ever heard. Spectrum's 'Forever Alien' was the first (see my review). Tracks I was most impressed with were "Dark Suite", "Through The Rhythm" (one of the CD's best tracks), "Help Me Please", the sedate "My Life Spins Round Your Every Smile" and the awesome nine-minute closer "Ecstasy In Slow Motion" (almost worth the admission price alone). Recommended."